Gov. Susana Martinez vetoed money the city of Roswell sought for a statue of Hall of Fame golfer Nancy Lopez and her father, who taught her the sport in the southeastern New Mexico community.
The $150,000 for a bronze statue was among $4 million Martinez rejected last week in a measure financing capital improvements statewide.
Roswell Mayor Del Jurney said the statue was to be placed at a municipal course recently renamed in honor of Lopez, who won 48 LPGA Tour events.
He said the city will ask the Legislature next year for money to help pay for a statue and will consider private fundraising.
A spokesman for the governor said Lopez's life story is inspirational but a primary purpose of state capital improvement financing is for critical infrastructure investments.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.