Nancy Kessler McDaniel, four-time letterwinner on the UW golf team and longtime University of California head coach, has passed away after a long fight with breast cancer.
“Nancy was the consummate professional in everything she did,” said Husky Head Coach Mary Lou Mulflur. “She was a great Husky and epitomized what it means to be a DAWG. I was lucky to coach her and then coach alongside her as a peer. However, I am most fortunate to call her a friend. She will be missed by so many of us.”
McDaniel spent four seasons at Washington (1984-85 through 1987-88) at Washington, where she played for UW head coach Mary Lou Mulflur. She was team captain and earned first-team All-Pac-10 and All-America as a senior in 1988. She still ranks among the top-10 in UW history in career top-10 finishes and victories.
Recently, McDaniel’s battle with cancer inspired the “PlayforHer” campaign, which has raised money for breast cancer research. In its inaugural year in 2023-24, the program raised $290,000.
After five years of professional golf following her college graduation, McDaniel founded the Cal women’s golf program and served as head coach until earlier this year, when she stepped down to concentrate on her health.
While at Cal, she led the Bears to numerous accomplishments, including 10 NCAA nationals appearances, 22 regionals berths and two conference titles. McDaniel was the 49th individual included into the Women’s Golf Coaches Association, in 2016, was two-time Pac-12 and West Region Coach of the Year, while earning national coach of the year honors from both the NGCA and Golfweek, in 2003.
Nancy is survived by her husband, Jay, who is a golf professional and two children, Tyler and Molly.
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