Folquet selected as 2011 Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award recipient

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., September, 20, 2011 – Malia Folquet, a 24-year veteran of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP) is the recipient of the 2011 Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award, which recognizes an LPGA professional who gives back to the game in the spirit of Nancy Lopez. Folquet has held numerous leadership positions, including serving as both Secretary and Treasurer for the Western Section.

The Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award was created in 2007 and is given to a 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.

“Malia is the perfect example of a member who has gone above and beyond to help her fellow professionals,” said Nancy Henderson, Executive Director for the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Membership. “Malia certainly embodies the LPGA Values of Leadership, Passion, Giving and Approachability.”

For more than 18 years, Folquet has been the director of golf at Palm Valley Country Club in Palm Desert, CA, which is a 36-hole private facility. She oversees the activities of a very active member golfing “community,” managing both the day-to-day operations as well as planning and overseeing tournaments.

“I am truly honored to receive the Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award,” said Folquet. “Throughout my career I have always admired Nancy, not only as a great player, but also for her passion and selfless contributions to growing the game of golf and being a true ambassador for golf. Having my name alongside Lynn Stellman, Patti Benson, Troy Beck and Debbie O’Connell is a great honor.”

Folquet is also the recipient of numerous golf industry awards, including being recognized four times as Professional of the Year for the Western Section in 2011, 2008, 1996 and 1995. In 2010, she received the LPGA President’s Award honoring her for her service to the LPGA. In addition, Folquet founded the LPGA T&CP Team Championship and has hosted that event for 14 years. An accomplished player, Folquet was the Western Section Senior Champion in 2010 and 2011.

Folquet spearheaded the first 100-Hole Marathon, which raised over $70,000 for the LPGA Foundation’s DeDe Owens Education and Research fund. The money in the fund is used to enhance and improve LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals Education and Research programs, to offer scholarships for members in need, and to enhance junior golf programs for boys and girls.

About Nancy Lopez Golf

The Nancy Lopez Golf (NLG) line provides unprecedented choice to the woman golfer in the selection of golf equipment and apparel. The four-step NLG Match Play Process also provides selection in club configuration to best fit the game of each woman. Nancy Lopez Golf embodies the spirit and energy of women's golf and of its namesake, Nancy Lopez, who captured the imagination of people everywhere with her remarkable playing career and the genuine warmth of her charm. For more information about Nancy Lopez and Nancy Lopez Golf, visit www.NancyLopezGolf.com.

About the LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals

The LPGA Teaching and Club Professional (T&CP) membership, founded in 1959 has enjoyed an unprecedented rate of growth in recent years and boasts the largest membership of women golf professionals in the world.

With nearly 1,400 members, the LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals are dedicated to the advancement of golf through teaching, coaching and managing golf facilities. Its national member programs include teaching, coaching, business management and leadership skills training plus conferences, tournaments, employment services, online education and junior golf programs.

LPGA T&CP members also teach and support the LPGA's various grassroots programs that work to increase the involvement of women and youth in golf, as well as contribute to the overall growth of the sport. They include LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, LPGA Tour Junior Clinics and the LPGA Golf Clinics for Women.

The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla. For more information about the LPGA, log onto www.LPGA.com.

2011 Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award

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