DAYTONA BEACH, FLA - The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Professionals has announced that Deb Vangellow, an LPGA Master Golf Professional and LPGA Hall of Fame Member, is the recipient of the 2023 Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award.

Vangellow is a 1986 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa following her collegiate career as a track and field athlete for the Panthers. After holding numerous positions in higher education, she coached Division I collegiate golf at UNI in the 1991-92 season. She is now a highly regarded golf instructor, one of Golf Digest Magazine’s “America’s 50 Best Women Teachers,” an LPGA “Top 50 Teacher” and a US Kids Golf “Top 50 Master Kids Teacher."

The Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award is given to an LPGA Professional who emulates qualities valued by Lopez: leadership, passion, giving and approachability. Lopez is a 48-time LPGA Tour winner and four-time Rolex Player of the Year. She was inducted into the LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame in 1987 and captained the victorious 2005 U.S. Solheim Cup Team.

“It is an absolute privilege to be the recipient of the 2023 Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award which honors Nancy’s valued qualities of Leadership, Passion, Giving and Approachability. These key points have been the model I have followed throughout my 30+ years as an LPGA Professionals Member,” expressed Vangellow in a news release. “After serving on the LPGA Foundation Board and having the opportunity to work directly with Nancy, it means a great deal to me to be the recipient of this wonderful award. I am so appreciative for this recognition and would like to thank the members who nominated me for this award, the LPGA for a terrific career, and to Nancy Lopez for this meaningful award.”

In addition to being a former UNI student-athlete, Deb Vangellow was a recipient of the Young Alumni Award at the University of Northern Iowa in 1997 and is a former UNI alumni board member. She was inducted into the UNI Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.