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A Golf Journey, Nancy Cox
4/17/2025 1:41:00 PM | Women's Golf
Sports and family are often interchangeable. Teams become family away from home. Family becomes coaches, drivers, medical staff and more. But for Florida Atlantic freshman golfer Nancy Cox, the two are so intertwined it is hard to tell where one stops and the other begins.
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Cox has been surrounded by the sport her entire life. Born in England, Cox moved to Ponte Vedra, Florida with her family when she was just three years old. She attributes much of her development to the foundation that her father instilled and there was no better coach for the aspiring golfer than her father Stephen, who currently works for the PGA Tour as the Vice President of Rules and Tournament Administration.
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The level of understanding that they share is special. Sharing an understanding is almost as special as when they get to share the course together. The two play in JAGA's Family Championship each year as partners. One year, Cox made her first hole-in-one playing alongside her father.
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While the elder Cox moved his family to the United States to work for the PGA, he once represented his mother country as a member of England's National Golf Team. He is currently working with Nancy through the citizenship process in an effort to become dual citizens, which may take several years.
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Having so much experience in the sport, he coached Cox until she was a freshman in high school. She attributes much of her development to the foundation he built for her. The level of understanding they share is second to none. Sharing an understanding is almost as special as when they get to share the course together.
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"Any time we get to play together it is special. It means a lot that he understands the game. Having someone that understands the game and how difficult it is helps a lot," Cox said.
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While she attributes her development to her father, the freshman describes her mother, Gillian Cox, as one of her biggest supporters. The support doesn't stop at the golf course; it continues in every aspect of Cox's life. Especially during one of her hardest moments: being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. At 15 years old, Cox was unfamiliar with Type 1 diabetes and remembered being distraught at the diagnosis. Her mother spent hours researching the condition to figure out the best ways to help her daughter.
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"Having support behind you makes so much of a difference. My mom is always there, her support never fails."
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While the initial diagnosis was scary for Cox, she has a positive outlook. She highlights finding strength through her difficult moments. Seeing others' experiences, especially college and professional athletes, is a big motivator and Cox strives to surround herself with those individuals. In fact, after being diagnosed, she has realized how many people are living with the same diagnosis.
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"Your life continues as it did before, just with an added responsibility. This new responsibility turns into a habit. That comes through time, patience, and understanding."
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Cox wrapped up her first collegiate season with the conclusion of the American Conference Championship on Wednesday, April 16. Individually, Cox finished the tournament tied for ninth at +1, her best collegiate finish, while the Owls as a team finished third. She qualified to represent the Owls in every tournament this year.
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The younger Cox has her eyes set on playing in the Augusta National Women's Amateur and then playing professionally. Until then, she will continue to develop as a collegiate player while majoring in exercise science with a May '28 projected graduation date where you are sure to see her parents in support.
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"I think big goals are good because it drives you to put in the most effort you have."
ÂGallery: (4-15-2025) Nancy Cox
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Cox has been surrounded by the sport her entire life. Born in England, Cox moved to Ponte Vedra, Florida with her family when she was just three years old. She attributes much of her development to the foundation that her father instilled and there was no better coach for the aspiring golfer than her father Stephen, who currently works for the PGA Tour as the Vice President of Rules and Tournament Administration.
Â
The level of understanding that they share is special. Sharing an understanding is almost as special as when they get to share the course together. The two play in JAGA's Family Championship each year as partners. One year, Cox made her first hole-in-one playing alongside her father.
Â
While the elder Cox moved his family to the United States to work for the PGA, he once represented his mother country as a member of England's National Golf Team. He is currently working with Nancy through the citizenship process in an effort to become dual citizens, which may take several years.
Â
Having so much experience in the sport, he coached Cox until she was a freshman in high school. She attributes much of her development to the foundation he built for her. The level of understanding they share is second to none. Sharing an understanding is almost as special as when they get to share the course together.
Â
"Any time we get to play together it is special. It means a lot that he understands the game. Having someone that understands the game and how difficult it is helps a lot," Cox said.
Â
While she attributes her development to her father, the freshman describes her mother, Gillian Cox, as one of her biggest supporters. The support doesn't stop at the golf course; it continues in every aspect of Cox's life. Especially during one of her hardest moments: being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. At 15 years old, Cox was unfamiliar with Type 1 diabetes and remembered being distraught at the diagnosis. Her mother spent hours researching the condition to figure out the best ways to help her daughter.
Â
"Having support behind you makes so much of a difference. My mom is always there, her support never fails."
Â
While the initial diagnosis was scary for Cox, she has a positive outlook. She highlights finding strength through her difficult moments. Seeing others' experiences, especially college and professional athletes, is a big motivator and Cox strives to surround herself with those individuals. In fact, after being diagnosed, she has realized how many people are living with the same diagnosis.
Â
"Your life continues as it did before, just with an added responsibility. This new responsibility turns into a habit. That comes through time, patience, and understanding."
Â
Cox wrapped up her first collegiate season with the conclusion of the American Conference Championship on Wednesday, April 16. Individually, Cox finished the tournament tied for ninth at +1, her best collegiate finish, while the Owls as a team finished third. She qualified to represent the Owls in every tournament this year.
Â
The younger Cox has her eyes set on playing in the Augusta National Women's Amateur and then playing professionally. Until then, she will continue to develop as a collegiate player while majoring in exercise science with a May '28 projected graduation date where you are sure to see her parents in support.
Â
"I think big goals are good because it drives you to put in the most effort you have."
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