Nancy Cox of Ponte Vedra High School has been named the 2022-2023 ITG Next Northeast Florida Female Golfer of the Year.
Cox grew up in England, two hours north of London. When she was 3, she moved to Jacksonville. Her father, Stephen, a PGA Tour rules official, introduced her to golf.
“He’s been an inspiration most of my life,” Cox said. “I’ve tried to follow in his footsteps, and I’ve always wanted to play golf like he does.”
That training has benefitted not only Cox, but her Ponte Vedra golf team as well. She shot a career-low 67 at regionals this season. She also placed in the top five in a couple of Florida Junior Tour events. Cox has dominated not only in the U.S., but overseas as well. Over the summer, she played in a couple of tournaments in England, tying for 20th in the 18U English Girls Open Championship.
Although Cox dominates the course, it doesn’t come without obstacles. Last year, Cox was diagnosed with Type One diabetes. Dealing with that on and off the course has been a challenge for her.
“It’s been a challenge, but with the technology today it’s helped me overcome it,” she said. “I’ve grown to learn how everything works and how to manage it. Managing it on the course is quite different than off the course because of how it affects my blood sugar levels.”
Cox has had much success in golf, but being in a male-dominated sport has its ups and downs.
“We’re viewed as not as skilled as men are,” she said. “People say we don’t hit it as far, we’re not as strong. I spend a lot of time around boys where I practice and with my high school boys’ team. I just try and prove them wrong sometimes. I show them what I’m capable of and beat them sometimes.”
Even though she won’t graduate until 2024, her future is crystal clear and she’s not going to let anything get in her way. Cox is currently on the hunt to find a college that can put her golfing skills to great use. As of December 2022, she was verbally committed to Florida Atlantic University.
Congratulations to Ponte Vedra High’s Nancy Cox, the 2022-2023 ITG Next Northeast Florida Female Golfer of the Year.
