Nan Ryan, LPGA Teaching Professional
"Little Peoples Golf" Executive Director
Estes Park Golf Course - Estes Park, Colorado

Founder of the internationally-known Pepsi Little People's Golf Championships, Nan Ryan has served as its Executive Director for the last 31 years. This championship is for boys and girls ages 3 through 17. Annually the Championship draws over 900 entries from more than 35 states, Canada, and many foreign countries.  In addition, she also started the Tri-State Junior Golf Association and "Kids Helping Kids," a program through which Pepsi Little People's contestants impact the lives of boys and girls less fortunate.

Numerous PGA and LPGA Tour players made their golfing debuts in Pepsi Little People's.  Most noted is LPGA Professional Vicki Goetze-Ackerman, who in 1978 won her first tournament in the girls 3-5 division by a whopping 113 strokes for the eight holes played. Other alumni now in the pro ranks include Jerry Haas, Dicky Pride, Chris Smith, Emlyn Aubrey, Kelly Robbins, Pearl Sinn, Michelle McGann, LaRee Sugg, and Kristal Parker-Gregory, to name just a few.

The Tri State Junior Golf Association, encompassing an area of 75-100 miles of Quincy, is for boys and girls aged through 17, and is sponsored by KHQA TV-7 and Landmarx.  The events involve 5 to 7 one-day tournaments, in age groups, at various courses in the tri-state area, plus a free junior golf clinic where everyone that needs a club gets one to take home for free. The kids get points for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place plus attendance.

A former owner of Nan's Golf USA, she is the author of the book, Let's Play Golf ™ 1993.  An accomplished writer, her golf related articles have been published in Tee Times, a magazine for New England women, Golf Digest Women, and a issue of Jr Golfer. Many of her action photographs of Pepsi Little People's players have appeared in such notable magazines as Golf Digest, Golf World, Junior Golf and Jr Golfer.  Seven of Nan's outdoor adventure articles and wildlife pictures have been published in the Our Life section of the Estes Park Trail Gazette, and many of her photos can be seen in the Quincy Visitors Guide.

A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Nan served as the Associate Editor of The PGA Magazine, Assistant Director of PGA Public Relations in Dunedin, FL, and Director of Public Relations for the Ladies PGA.  Nan's golfing career is extensive, with experience in every aspect of the game. Whether it was groundskeeping, shop management, public relations or teaching, Nan has over 50 years in golf in some capacity.

Early in life, Nan played on the LPGA Tour as an amateur with the likes of Patty Berg, Marilynn Smith and Louise Suggs. As a Class A member of the LPGA Teaching & Club Professional Division, she has taught Executive Women and Crayola Junior Golf Clinics at courses in Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, Missouri, and Kansas.  She was the recipient of the 1992 Quincy, IL "YWCA Women of Achievement Award for Sports", the 1995 LPGA/Budget Rent-A-Car "National Award for Outstanding Service to Junior Golf", the 1997 Golf Digest "Junior Development Individual Award", and the 1997 "Humanitarian Award" from Transitions of Western Illinois. In February 2001, Nan was chosen as one of 50 Top Teachers by GOLF FOR WOMEN magazine.

Nan has permanently relocated to the beautiful Estes Park Golf Course in Estes Park, CO. Nan is a graduate of the LPGA Teaching Schools, Square Two/LPGA and Lange Club Fitting Schools, and the LPGA Swing Model School. 

She enjoys hiking and snow shoeing in the Colorado mountains, traveling and taking pictures.  For information on obtaining her book, adventure articles, wildlife photos, or to schedule a lesson with Nan Ryan call (970) 586-4224.