Legendary golf coach Nancy McDaniel, who founded the University of California’s women’s golf program, breathed her last on October 24. McDaniel, 57, succumbed to breast cancer after a long-drawn battle. Her lasting legacy is felt in every corner of UC Berkeley and women’s golf programs across the USA. 

She served as the head coach of the California Golden Bears women’s golf team from 1995 to 2024. McDaniel, a native of Portland, Oregon, was an ace collegiate golfer herself at the University of Washington. She won two collegiate titles and earned an All-American honor and two Pac-10 All-Star Team selections. She was the team captain in 1988. Her name was also featured in Washington’s Pac-10 All-Decade team (1986-96).

She played professional golf for five years across Women’s European, Ladies Asian, and Players West golf tours. She bowed out of the professional arena in 1994 and ranked 20th in the Ladies Asian Tour merit list. But it’s her post-retirement career that bestows more honors on her.

Nancy McDaniel was hired by the University of California in 1995 to establish the women’s golf program. Per the official website, under her stewardship, Cal reached the NCAA Championships ten times in 29 years and 23 NCAA regionals. Golden Bears won two Pac 10/12 championships and reached the highest-ever ranking (2nd) under McDaniel.

She was known for her professionalism and affable manner in connecting with the youngsters. “Coach McD. challenged me and pushed me to reach my full potential. Without her guidance and encouragement, I would not have been able to achieve the success that I had during my career at Cal.” Sarah Huarte Glynn, 2004 NCAA Individual Champion, once recounted. 

McDaniel was inducted into the  WGCA Hall of Fame in 2016 and the NGCA Hall of Fame early this month. Within eight years of starting the second leg of his career, McDaniel was named the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Coach of the Year in 2003. She was also a two-time Kim Moore Spirit Award winner. 

McDaniel was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. But she continued her work till April 2024.  “I have had the pleasure of coaching some of the most talented and brightest women athletes at a world-class university. Together with our supporters, administrators, and players, we created a very special Cal women’s golf family,” she said in her farewell speech. On her death, tributes poured in from all corners of collegiate and professional golf.

Rose Zhang & Co. pay tribute to Nancy McDaniel

Last year, Stanford Intercollegiate’s Play for Her campaign raised nearly $265,000. All of that was donated to McDaniel’s doctor’s research. After her death, Stanford Women’s Golf posted on their Instagram handle, “Today, Stanford women’s golf and the entire golf community mourns the loss of former Cal women’s golf head coach, Nancy McDaniel. Her impact on the game of golf is immeasurable, especially here on The Farm. We were all better because of Nancy. We send our thoughts, prayers, and love to her family and Cal Athletics.”

Rose Zhang, a former Cardinal, shared the post on her Instagram story with two emojis: a praying hand (symbolizing respect) and a dove (symbolizing love and peace). Whereas, Daniela Holmqvist, a former Golden Bear who earned her LPGA Tour card in 2014, shared the story with a broken heart emoji. 

One of McDaniel’s most renowned students is currently serving as the Director of Women’s Golf at Stanford. Anne Walker, talking about her former coach, said, “Nancy dedicated her life to mentoring and coaching young women, but her influence and impact expanded far beyond the boundaries of her team.” Walker was a ‘student’ of McDaniel at Cal from 1998-2002. She was McDaniel’s first international recruit to the team, per a report on Golfweek. Details of Nancy McDaniel’s funeral services are not yet available.

May the departed soul rest in peace.