Nancy Bender, LPGA

Nancy is a LPGA Class A teaching professional at Creekside Golf Course and Training Center in Valparaiso, Ind., in which she played a role in its development. Some of her accolades include LPGA national Teacher of the Year, Midwest Teacher of the Year, Top 50 Golf for Women, Golf Digest Junior Development Award and recipient of the LPGA Service Award for Junior Golf. Bender is a strong component of any initiative that grows the game. She has been extremely involved in The First Tee program and Creekside is recognized as the first chapter in The First Tee network.

Facility type: Public

Past awards/recognitions:

• GRAA Top 50 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional
• Golf Magazine Top 100
• Golf Digest Top 50
• LPGA awards

Technology used in instruction:

• iPad
• V1
• Swing Pro
• Pure Launch by Zelocity
• Full Swing Golf Simulator
• SNAG

Approximate number of free “tune-ups” and lessons given per year: 270

Growth of the game initiatives: 

• Special Olympics
• LPGA Girls Golf Club
• Camps for girls
• SNAG classes for adults and juniors
• Fall and Spring Scramble League for juniors
• Middle school PE classes
• Parent/Child classes
• Skills Days