Sue Billek Nyhus

2003 Recipient of the Jeannie Goddard Memorial Award

Sue was one of two people who received the first Jeannie Goddard Memorial Award. It was important to set precedence for those recipients to follow. Sue exemplified the true essence of what the Jeannie Goddard Memorial was to represent: “Integrity, sportsmanship, love and respect for the game of golf – an inspiration to others.” When making the final decision, it was down to two names Sue Nyhus and Joyce Billings, and when talking with Dick Goddard (Jeannie’s husband), who was on the first selection committee, Dick asked if we could have two people for the first year. “Not only did both of them exemplify what the award was all about, but they were very good friends of Jeannie and Jeannie herself always looked up to these two women, for what they have given to golf. They are the perfect choice.”

Sue is known as “Coach”, an honor not too many have the privilege of having. She is currently in her 5^th year as the girls Head Golf Coach at BYU. Sue has always been considered as one of the top golfers in Utah – All American on the BYU’s golf team in 1985 and she also won her first Utah State Women’s Amateur this same year. She played professional golf on the European Tour 1987-1991. In 1996 & 1998 she received the USWGA “Golfer of the Year” award. Not only did she win her second Utah State Women’s State Amateur in 1999, but was UGA Player of the Year, 1^st female to receive this honor. Sue was medalist for the state amateurs in 1985, 1999, 2000 and 2005. There were many first for Sue, in 2005 she was the 1^st women golfer to be inducted in to the BYU Athletic Hall of Fame. She continues to break new ground for others to follow.