Olson Confident Heading Into 111th U.S. Amateur Open

Naperville’s Tanya Olson is putting her frequent flyer miles to good use.

The 36-year-old amateur golfer will compete in the 111th United States Women’s Amateur Golf Championship, which will begin Monday at Rhode Island Country Club in Barrington, Rhode Island.

“They are going to play it long, it’s a tough course, but I feel like I’m hitting the ball well and I’m excited about it,” said Olson from the 17th annual Illinois Women’s Open at Mistwood Golf Course in Romeoville. “I’m excited to be there, I feel good about it. I’m going to take it all in and do the best I can.”

At the Illinois Open, Olson advanced to the third and final round by shooting a two-day total of 144. She shot at 82 in the opening round, then posted a 72 Thursday to advance to Friday’s final round. She carded a 79 to finish 22nd with a three-day total of 233.

“This year has been my most successful and my most hectic schedule for tournaments,” said Olson, who could play in three more out-of-state tournaments by the end of the season. “I’ve stepped it up this year and have played in a lot more tournaments than last year.”

The U.S. Open will feature 156 qualifiers from 18 tournaments throughout the country. Olson advanced by shooting a 72 at Fox Bend Golf Course in Oswego. It was the lone qualifier in the Chicagoland area.

“I played in the (U.S. Open) amateur qualifier to get used to playing in a qualifier and a big national event,” Olson said.

Olson’s goal in her first U.S. Open is to advance to match play, which begins Wednesday.

“My goal is to make match play, that would be the lowest 64 scores and ties,” Olson said. “If I get to that point, I’ll reevaluate and set some new goals.”

To get there, Olson will have to stay sharp physically and mentally.

“I’m going to work on staying calm,” Olson said of her demeanor next week. “I don’t want to have high highs and low lows. That’s always a goal of mine. You are going to make bogies and, hopefully, make some birdies and ride the wave with a level of calmness.”

That calmness has Olson playing some of the best golf of her amateur career.

Over the past 12 months, Olson won the first flight at the 78th annual
Illinois Women’s Amateur at Kishwaukee Country Club in DeKalb and the championship flight of the 79th annual Chicagoland Women’s District Golf Association championship in Elgin.

“I feel like I’m making good decisions and good shots,” Olson said. “I’m playing really well right now and golf is crazy like that.”

Despite being surrounded by some players who are half her age, Olson will rely on her experiences during the seven-day tournament.

“There will be a lot of young girls there. I feel like one of the older ones out there because of the college players and younger out there. They play with no fear and I’m trying to get back there,” Olson said of the younger players’ mentality. I do think my experiences will even things out a little bit. It’s not that they are more talented. They have no fear and that’s the difference. I think experience makes a difference, too. You’ve been in each situation more times, so that’s an advantage.”

After two rounds of stroke play, the top 64 players and ties will advance to three rounds of match play Tuesday and Wednesday. The quarterfinal round of match play will be Friday, while the semifinals are Saturday. The final round will consist of 36 holes of match play.