NCAA Championships Journal: Freshman Laura Olin

Tuesday, May 21

Freshman Laura Olin reflects on the first round at the NCAA Championships for her and the Wolverines and what it means to the U-M program.

Today was the first day of the actual tournament. We were paired with Arizona State and South Carolina. ASU is one of the top teams in the country and has won the national championship many times, so it was such a great experience to be able to play with them. We were able to see if our games measured up to theirs.

On the first tee box, I was a little nervous, but after a short pep talk from Coach Teichert I was ready to go. I hit my first shot right down the middle, which really calmed my nerves. On my next shot I snapped my 5-wood into the trees and had to take an unplayable lie. I ended up starting off with a bogey on my first hole. I told myself that there were so many holes left and to take it one shot at a time. I parred Nos. 2, 3 and 4, before three-putting on the fifth hole for bogey.

I went on to birdie 6 and 7 to bring myself back to even, then had four straight pars on 8, 9, 10, 11 before yet another three-putt bogey on the 12th hole. I parred the 13th and 14th holes. On the 15th hole, I drove it into a divot. I had to hit my approach shot over water so I took more club and ended up over the green and failed to get up and down, so I ended up with bogey on that hole. But from there I parred in. I felt as though I played better than I scored. I hit 14 greens and just could not make any putts.

I feel as though this golf course plays to my advantage. It's fairly wide off the tee, therefore I am able to spray it a little with my driver. One of my strengths is my iron play and this course calls for good approach shots. I felt as though the greens did not hold as well today as they did the two practice round days. Washington National has the best putting greens. They are so smooth and roll so true, it is easy to make long putts here, but also the cups don't give so you have to hit the ball in the center of the hole to have the ball drop.

I am having so much fun here at the NCAAs. It is a great experience. I have learned so much already and I can't wait to see how our team compares to other top programs. This is such a great reward for all of the hard work our team has put in this year.

It's so nice having the Championship in Seattle because both my grandmother and two of my aunts and their families live out in this area. They have been able to come watch us play, which really mean a lot to me, considering I don't get to compete on this side of the country very often. We have so much support from all of our family, friends, coaches and the university. We would not be here with out their never-ending support. I hope that this is a new tradition that we have started for Michigan golf.

Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423

University of Michigan Athletics

Players Mentioned

Laura Olin

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