09/09/2026
The new Nancy Lopez Elementary School was officially opened with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, September 4. LPGA Hall-of-Fame golfer and Roswell native Nancy Lopez returned to her hometown to cut the ribbon and officially dedicate the school .
RISD Superintendent Brian Luck introduced Nancy. “It’s very much my great honor to introduce someone who truly needs very little introduction. She’s a Roswell native, a New Mexico legend, a hall of famer, a champion, and one of the greatest golfers in the history of the game.”
He went on to list her accomplishments before saying, “Her greatest legacy may be the people that she’s inspired to help change the game of golf and to open doors for women and girls in sports. She has shown generations of young people what can happen when you combine talent, determination, hard work and a willingness to dream big.”
Nancy began the dedication by expressing her thanks. “I want to say thank you to all the wonderful leaders that are here. You can’t have a great community or a great school without people that really care about the children because that’s what it’s all about.” Nancy added that when she went to Flora Vista Elementary, the name of the school before it became Nancy Lopez Elementary, she still remembers the teachers she had there. Nancy also told the 4th and 5th graders that were in attendance to be the best you can be. “My dad always told me to do the best you can in life. You have to walk away saying, ‘Did I give 100 percent?’ And if you can say yes, then you did what you were supposed to do.”
She talked about her father, Domingo, who was a great influence in her life.” He always told me to keep my word and to be good to people. In the world today, people just aren’t good to each other the way they should be. It’s easy to just smile and say hi and thank you and appreciate people.” Nancy said it was an honor for her when they changed the name of her old school, Flora Vista Elementary, to Nancy Lopez Elementary, back in 1991. “My dad was still alive back then, and I know he was so proud when they put my name on that great school that I had gone to.”
She went on to say how much of an honor it was for her to be part of the new school’s dedication and grand opening. Afterwards, she lined up with RISD dignitaries and cut the ribbon to officially open the new school. Then she mingled with the students, handed out bracelets and interacted with members of the audience. “Today has just been wonderful,” she said. “It’s been a wonderful homecoming for me.”
Nancy Lopez Accomplishments
-World Golf Hall of Fame Inductee (1987)
-PGA of America Hall of Fame Inductee (Class of 2025).
- 48 Career LPGA Tour Victories, including 3 Major Championships. Shattered media records during a historic 1978 rookie season by winning 9 tournaments, including an unmatched streak of 5 consecutive tournament wins.
- Player of the Year, awarded to the top overall player on the tour, 1978, 1979, 1985, 1988
- Vare Trophy, earned for the lowest season scoring average on tour, 1978, 1979, 1985
- Golfer of the Decade, named by GOLF Magazine, 1978–1987
- AP Female Athlete of the Year, 1978, 1985
