Applications opened July 17, 2025 and will close on August 31, 2025 at 11:59pm ET.
To Start the Application Process:
- Visit https://apply-lpga.smapply.org/prog/nancyoliver/
- Press Register or Login (if you previously have made an account)
- Begin applying!
About the Award
In 1950, a group of 13 women signed a charter forming what is now the oldest continuous women’s professional sports league, the LPGA Tour.
In 1991, Nancy Oliver brought together 28 women for a golf clinic as the starting point of the Executive Women’s Golf Association, which became the LPGA Amateur Golf Association® in 2018. In 2019, the Nancy Oliver – Act Like a Founder Award was created, celebrating Nancy Oliver’s contribution toward women’s golf and recognizing the first steps of those brave 13 LPGA Founders.
- Display exceptional long-term volunteer leadership and service to the LPGA Amateur Golf Association®
- Exemplify the passion, spirit and mission of the LPGA Amateurs by enriching women’s lives through the game of golf
- Advocate for the local LPGA Amateurs Chapter and association as a whole
- Positively engage with LPGA Amateurs members and the local community
- Inspire and develop new leaders
- Desire to leave the Chapter and the LPGA Amateur Golf Association® better than they found it
All LPGA Amateurs members in good standing may nominate qualified candidates. Nominees must have a minimum of 5 cumulative years of volunteer service and must be a current member in good standing (nominees do not need to be a current leader).
Diana Gats, 2024 Recipients
2024 Recipient – Diana Gats
Diana Gats of the Fort Worth Metroplex, Denton County, and Dallas Chapter is the recipient of the 2024 Nancy Oliver – Act Like a Founder Award. Shortly after becoming a member in 1999, Diana Gats jumped into volunteering locally with the Canton, OH Chapter and has since served in various positions such as Women on Par Scholarship Chair and Foundation President. Diana has demonstrated she believes in investing in women through mentoring, training, and developing leaders.
Robin Anderson, Past President of Fort Worth Metroplex and Houston Chapters shared: “Diana has been key in supporting and building Chapters around the country from the early days of EWGA, through the transition to LPGA, with the Women on Par Scholarship program, and now – as our President- building on the gains of the Fort Worth Chapter… which was on the brink of extinction only ten short years ago. Your intervention kept that from happening…. You have been KEY in the foundation of this organization from local Chapters to your leadership at HQ.”
Angie Niehoff, 2023 Recipient
2023 Recipient – Angie Niehoff
Angie Niehoff of the Palm Beach County Chapter is the recipient of the 2023 Nancy Oliver – Act Like a Founder Award. Angie has been a member since 1994 and she is a founding member of the Miami Chapter. Angie has served in many positions over the years, she’s been involved on the Chapter level, regional level, and on the Association Board level. After her many years of volunteer service, even now she stays available to help guide and advise Palm Beach County Leaders. Angie is a believer in mentoring members and nurturing members for leadership positions to allow them to grow with the Chapter. Michelle Meehan, President of the Palm Beach County Chapter shared, “Angie embodies the mission of connecting women to learn, play and belong. When Angie is the Tee Captain, she warmly welcomes everyone and makes them feel like they belong. She mentors members who are new to the game of golf and reminds us to foster our new friendships and to have fun.”
Donna Shaw, 2022 Recipient
2022 Recipient – Donna Shaw
Donna Shaw of the Tucson, AZ Chapter is the recipient of the 2022 Nancy Oliver – Act Like a Founder Award. Donna has been a member of the Tucson Chapter since 1995 and throughout 27+ years, Donna has demonstrated commitment for the organization and has stayed active with various leadership positions. Donna has a passion for providing opportunities to support new golfers and has helped to continue to provide those opportunities over the years. Linda Stratton, Tucson Chapter President stated, “Donna’s commitment to the work of LPGA Amateurs to support and encourage and celebrate women golfers is unparalleled. In 2005 as she was undergoing chemotherapy to fight breast cancer, Donna served as the Volunteer Chairperson of the 2005 Annual Conference.” Fellow leaders also shared, Donna’s worked in numerous roles with passion, enthusiasm, and competence, Donna has enriched women’s lives through her work and the game of golf.
2021 Recipient – Sylvia Sumners
Sylvia Sumners,
2021 Recipient
Sylvia Sumners of the Birmingham, AL Chapter is the recipient of the 2021 Nancy Oliver – Act Like a Founder Award. As a founding member of the Birmingham, AL Chapter in 1994, throughout the years she has served in multiple roles, including Membership Chair, Secretary, twice serving as President and Leadership Chair, Vice President, Chapter Development Specialist, Tournament Director, and currently serves as the Sponsorship Chair. Whether it’s on the golf course or in the board room, Sylvia believes in developing leadership skills and is a mentor to new golfers and LPGA Amateurs members, and she has also been instrumental in helping her chapter expand diversity in membership.
But Sylvia’s involvement in mentoring doesn’t stop with the LPGA Amateurs. Since 2000, she has been an asset to her local LPGA*USGA Girls Golf site. When she learned that the program’s longtime site director was retiring in 2019, she stepped up to answer the call. Thanks to Sylvia, the program never missed a beat, and she continues to help girls aged 5-16 achieve their #LittleGirlsBigDreams. Read more about Sylvia Sumners here!
Judy Johnson-Schoellkopf & Nancy Oliver
2019 Recipient – Judy Johnson-Schoellkopf
Judy Johnson-Schoellkopf has been named winner of the 2019 Nancy Oliver – Act Like a Founder Award. Johnson-Schoellkopf’s volunteer history with the organization goes back to 1996, as a founding chapter member and membership chair of the LPGA Amateurs Eastern Shore, MD/DE Chapter. She is a four-time president and four-time vice president, and has also served as membership recruitment director, golf event chair, social event chair, volunteer recognition chair and board advisor. The full press release can be found at the following link: Feb. 5 2020 – Judy Johnson-Schoellkopf Named 2019 Nancy Oliver – Act Like a Founder Award Winner
