Bluffton, South Carolina (August 27, 2020) – Belfair’s Director of Instruction Dana Rader has been honored by the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) as the 2020 recipient of the Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award. The Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award was created by the LPGA Professionals in 2007 and is given to an LPGA Professionals member who emulates qualities valued by Lopez: Leadership; Passion; Giving; and Approach-ability.
Rader has served as Director of Instruction at Belfair, a private golf club community in Bluffton, South Carolina, since August 2018. She joined the Belfair team after selling her golf school in Charlotte as she wanted to return to her passion, coaching. Rader is a “Top 50 Instructor in the U.S.,” is ranked as the “Best in South Carolina” by Golf Digest and has been featured on the Golf Channel numerous times. A nationally recognized leader in the golf industry, Rader is a past National President of the LPGA Teaching & Club Professionals Membership.
“I have been a huge fan and a friend of Nancy Lopez for many years,” said Rader. “To win this award means the world to me because she holds such a high standard on her values and to have my name next to hers is truly an honor and distinction.”
“Belfair and our members could not be prouder of Dana being named the recipient of this award,” said Ken Kosak, PGA General Manager and COO, Belfair. “Our club is passionate about the game golf and we are thrilled to have her leading our instructional team.”
Lopez, a 48-time winner and four-time Rolex Player of the Year, was inducted into the LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame in 1987, and captained the victorious 2005 U.S. Solheim Cup Team. Past winners of the Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award include:
2019 Louise Ball
2018 Lynn Marriott
2017 Sandy LaBauve
2016 Donna White
2015 Teresa Zamboni
2014 Angela Aulenti
2013 Marvol Barnard
2012 Suzy Whaley
2011 Malia Folquet
2010 Lynn Stellman
2009 Patti Benson
2008 Troy Beck
2007 Debbie O'Connell
Belfair features two championship golf courses designed by Tom Fazio that exemplify Lowcountry beauty. The West Course opened in 1996 with Links Magazine proclaiming it “…the finest set of golf holes in the Lowcountry, if not on the East Coast.” The par-72 West Course will host play during all four rounds of the PGA Professional Championship and plays to 7,111 yards from the championship tees. Belfair’s East Course opened in 1999 and is reminiscent of the links courses of Scotland while showcasing the area’s deep-water views, fresh water lakes and lagoons. The par-71 layout measures 6,900 yards from the championship tees. Golfweek Magazine ranks both courses among the “Best Residential Courses” in the United States in their 2018 ranking.
Belfair is managed by Troon Privé, the private club operating division of Troon. For more information on Belfair, visit www.belfair1811.com or call (843) 757-0701.
About Belfair
Approximately 1,100 acres in size, Belfair is located on the mainland in Bluffton, five miles from Hilton Head Island on the banks of the Colleton River. In addition to golf, other amenities at Belfair include a world-class golf learning center, a beautiful clubhouse and a 21,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art Sports and Lifestyle Campus that opened in the fall of 2019. The Sports and Lifestyle Campus includes a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, splash pad, tennis and pickleball courts, a dog park, and much more. The club offers a variety of dining options, including the 1811 Grille, Veranda Dining, and the Bistro. The club will reinvest over $22 million over the next 10 years in improvements.
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf management company providing services at 435-plus locations around the globe, including managing 470-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages more than 485-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. With properties located in 40-plus states and 30-plus countries, Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Honours Golf, OB Sports, Green Golf Partners, CADDIEMASTER, True Club Solutions, Cliff Drysdale Tennis and RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design. There are currently 67 Troon-affiliated properties featuring 87 golf courses on national and international “Top 100” rankings. Troon-affiliated properties include Gamble Sands in Brewster, Washington; The Virginian and Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards in Bristol, Virginia; Kapalua Golf in Maui, Hawaii; Lofoten Links in Gimsoysand, Norway; and The Els Club Dubai in United Arab Emirates. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.
Media contact:
Rob Myers
Troon
480.477.0506
rmyers@troon.com