DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., September 17, 2014 – Angela Aulenti, a 30+ year veteran of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP) as well as a PGA member, is the recipient of the 2014 Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award, which recognizes an LPGA professional who gives back to the game in the spirit of Nancy Lopez. Aulenti is the Head Golf Pro at Sterling Farms Golf Club, Stamford, Conn., and the Director of Golf at E. Gaynor Brennan Golf Course, Stamford, Conn.
The Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award was created in 2007, and 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 Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame in 1987, and captained the victorious 2005 U.S. Solheim Cup Team.
Aulenti has held many leadership positions within the LPGA and PGA, including LPGA National Club Pro Advisory Committee, National Tournament Chair and PGA Interview Committee. She currently serves as the Northeast Section President and is an integral part of the Executive and Leadership Committees of the LPGA where her voice and opinion are very highly respected. Aulenti has inspired and energized LPGA members by creating innovative new playing opportunities and providing educational seminars that keep members abreast of advances in the industry.
Aulenti’s passion for golf and for its future is demonstrated every day in her capacity as a teacher and in the many ways she gives back to the community—from creating a large junior program and awarding scholarships to juniors to making golf readily accessible by running a Stamford city golf championship and by donating golf products to various charities and golf organizations. Her actions have been recognized by the City of Stamford, which proclaimed June 2nd, 2008, “Angela Aulenti Day.”
“Angela is a wonderful example of true, passionate leadership, not only within the LPGA and PGA, but in her community and in the golf industry as a whole,” said Nancy Henderson, Chief Teaching Officer of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals and LPGA Foundation President. “She is a tremendous role model in the same spirit as Nancy Lopez and a deserving recipient of this award.”
Recognized many times for her accomplishments by the LPGA, the PGA and the golf industry, Aulenti’s accolades include: LPGA National Professional of the year, 2011; LPGA Northeast Section Merchandiser of the Year, 2003, 2006; LPGA Section Professional of the Year, 2003; PGA Met section Merchandiser of the year 1998, 2003-2011; TaylorMade Top 100 Club Fitter; 2013; Callaway National Club Fitter of the Year, 2013. Aulenti, who was the first female to achieve the position of Head Golf Professional in the state of Connecticut, was inducted into the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame in 2012.
“Words cannot express what a tremendous honor it is to receive the Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement award. Nancy and I played junior golf together, and for my entire professional career, Nancy has been a role model, not just for professional golfers but for all female golfers worldwide,” said Aulenti. “Her contribution to the game is without comparison. She has single- handedly inspired thousands of LPGA professionals to be the best ambassador for golf that we can be. Nancy is and always will be a true legend in our sport. Being the recipient of the Nancy Lopez award is the crowning achievement of my professional career.”
Aulenti combines a reputation as the region's expert club fitter with her dedicated and superior teaching skills. Her year-round indoor facility at Sterling Farms provides the most current technology and precise fitting analysis for golfers of all ability levels.