Imagine stepping onto the green, the weight of a nation's expectations on your shoulders, and the thrill of competition coursing through your veins. This is where we find ourselves with Irish golf sensation Olivia Mehaffey, who joins us to share her incredible journey from amateur beginnings to professional triumphs. Her story isn't just about the long drives and precise putts; it's about the communities that nurtured her talent and the unwavering dedication that turned a sibling rivalry into an international career.
Hearing Olivia describe the electric atmosphere of the Curtis Cup, where she led her team against the world's top amateurs, is to understand the true spirit of golf. The contrast between the roaring support at home courses and the focused silence abroad offers a glimpse into the psychological complexities of the sport. But it's not all about the competition; Olivia's leap to Arizona State University peels back another layer of her journey, revealing how training with seasoned professionals in warmer climes honed her skills and forged the competitor we see today.
As the conversation turns to the professional circuit, we're privy to the nuanced transition from collegiate to professional golf. Olivia opens up about the challenges and learning curves, the impact of injuries and global events, and the importance of a solid support team around an athlete. It's a candid look at the incremental improvements that make or break a professional golfer's career. So settle in and join us on a path lined with personal growth, psychological insight, and love for the game, as Olivia Mahaffey leads us through the highs and lows of life on the professional green.
Follow amateur info
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Imagine stepping onto the green, the weight of a nation's expectations on your shoulders, and the thrill of competition coursing through your veins. This is where we find ourselves with Irish golf sensation Olivia Mehaffey, who joins us to share her incredible journey from amateur beginnings to professional triumphs. Her story isn't just about the long drives and precise putts; it's about the communities that nurtured her talent and the unwavering dedication that turned a sibling rivalry into an international career.
Hearing Olivia describe the electric atmosphere of the Curtis Cup, where she led her team against the world's top amateurs, is to understand the true spirit of golf. The contrast between the roaring support at home courses and the focused silence abroad offers a glimpse into the psychological complexities of the sport. But it's not all about the competition; Olivia's leap to Arizona State University peels back another layer of her journey, revealing how training with seasoned professionals in warmer climes honed her skills and forged the competitor we see today.
As the conversation turns to the professional circuit, we're privy to the nuanced transition from collegiate to professional golf. Olivia opens up about the challenges and learning curves, the impact of injuries and global events, and the importance of a solid support team around an athlete. It's a candid look at the incremental improvements that make or break a professional golfer's career. So settle in and join us on a path lined with personal growth, psychological insight, and love for the game, as Olivia Mahaffey leads us through the highs and lows of life on the professional green.
Follow amateur info
https://instagram.com/irish_amateur_golf_info?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
Okay, welcome back to the Irish and podcast. This week I'm joined by Olivia Mahaffey. Olivia, welcome to the pod. How are you?
Speaker 2:Thank you, I'm doing good and thanks for having me on.
Speaker 1:Not at all. So you're just back from Kenya, so just before we kind of go back and talk about your golfing journey, and that seemed like a very special week just with, I suppose, the wildlife on show over there.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it was quite a unique experience, and not often you have giraffes and sea brews on the golf course with you, but got to experience that, which was a definitely a cool experience and quite a unique place to start the season off.
Speaker 1:Yeah, no, absolutely. Like it's quite the magical open in Kenya, I believe, and like it certainly looked magical anyway. But I suppose there's a lot of girls talk place, so I'll get to get you there and like you've had an unbelievable amateur career and there's so much interest we're not going to be touching at all. So we kind of get to a couple of the highlights of it, but before we get there so when did you get into juice? To the game of golf.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so I started when I was about six years old. I fell in love right away with something. I went on I played with my brother and my dad was very competitive with my brother and just sort of wanted to beat him in anything I could. So this is sport. Allowed me to play with him. You know, I tried gymnastics, hockey, all of those, but golf from a young age was sort of my number one.
Speaker 1:Ravally. It's always good to get the juices going in any sport, really, isn't it?
Speaker 2:Yeah, absolutely, and it was just nice. You know, I would go to play at Roqueinte Dorn on a Saturday and you know, and I was like, ok, I need to get cut by this to try and get my handicap lower than his and the same at Tanja G. So it was always nice to have that competitiveness. I think you know it keeps you keen, it keeps you wanting to improve a lot and really pushes you on.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and you mentioned I come down, I suppose, being from Northern Ireland, the landscape of golf above, like, is probably the best you're going to get into it Like, isn't it?
Speaker 2:Yeah, no, I'm very fortunate. You know I joined Tanja G since I was like seven and then joined Roqueinte Dorn when I was about 10, and what a place to grow up. But being spoiled and having both of them has been so nice. And then even just like I think the golf clubs here being so supportive always felt like I've had good back in, which has been so nice. And you know, all the members really care how you're playing and they're really invested, which is so nice as well. But it doesn't get much better than Roqueinte Dorn, and that's for sure.
Speaker 1:So you kind of mentioned that was like the initial competition, if you was getting your handicap down and compete with your brother a bit. But at what point to you then does golf become like, I suppose, a serious sport for you?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think I went and played like the Lester, like play it, so I guess that's like higher handicaps when I was maybe like 10. And I think I won and I was like, oh, I'm actually OK at this. And then I started playing for Ireland when I was 12 or 13. And then I think sort of from then on I was always like the young one with the older girls and they were maybe a little bit like wise as girl here, like I lost a tooth, like a baby tooth, on a plane going out to one Irish championship or competing for Ireland once, and the girls were like, ok, wise as girl here.
Speaker 1:So I think, you know, I kind of from a young age, realised like, ok, this is kind of what I want to do, which is which was nice, yeah, and like, as you said, the young one, as you call it yourself, in a lot of the teams, and like there was plenty of team success, I suppose. But first off, like what was your first amateur event rings kind of straight to mind when I asked you, like for your first win.
Speaker 2:First win. Wow, you know I feel like I miss a few out when I think about it, but like the first thing that comes to my mind was a one that Irish open stroke play for three years in a row, a Rogan's turn, and that was like the thing that sticks with me because it was the first time kind of competing against the Swedish girls, the German girls, like those kind of international fields. So I think that was always like something that was kind of the win, that's the wins that stick out when I was still young. But it was actually competing against, you know, the foreign girls as well, not just winning in Ireland.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and like you had a lot of success in Ireland, I suppose, like Irish titles and stuff, and like that's kind of what led you into the team event, like as young as you are, I suppose like competing at that level. So I suppose they're transitioning from like taking up the game, like kind of specialising at it a little bit, I suppose at kind of 11, 12, and then making team stuff. So like how did you find the initial kind of progression in golf?
Speaker 2:Yeah, like for me I always kind of fell in my amateur days. It was like kind of a step. It was like you know, it took me a little bit to get comfortable on the Irish circuit. I got comfortable on the Irish circuit, I kind of dominated that, got quite a lot of wins. And then the same thing in Europe, you know, played a bit in Europe, took a little bit of time to get kind of comfortable on that stage, got comfortable, did well and then see him, you know, competing in world championships. Those sort of things took me a little bit of time to get comfortable there.
Speaker 2:And then when I did, I did well and see him with America. You know I didn't just transition into college and I was third in the world when I went to college but I did it just like clean up my freshman year. It was so solid, it was all American. But you know it took me another year to get those wins, to get comfortable, to like churn out a lot of top 10s. So I kind of see, like my career and like it takes me a little bit when I when I go to the next level, up the next step, to get comfortable and that level. But then when I do get comfortable, then I feel like I can compete, which is quite nice talking about, like I suppose, getting dominating stuff in Ireland and moving into Europe.
Speaker 1:The spoils of our last office was that you played Salam Cup with Junior Salam Cup and you played a Cortes Cup as well. So talking about the. Salam Cup for a second. First one, the Junior Salam Cup, before we get confused.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that was one of the highlights is an amateur, I think you know getting to compete in that really shows you because you're around the pros we played the week before. We're inside the ropes, we're getting to go into the team room. You really really get to see how the Salam Cup is. So I think that whole experience was just amazing and I think it's like probably why you know now I'm like OK, really, you know, in the future want to play Salam Cups because you get a little taste for it and it was incredible and I think making that team was something I was proud of.
Speaker 2:The qualifying process is not easy. It's like very, very. They base a lot on the points and if you don't do well events with the points, you don't get a play. Like you know, you could play well in Ireland and all these things, but if you're not doing well in the events with points, it's quite hard to get into that team. But that was a really, really cool experience for me. Obviously, I represented Ireland a lot. Great for it in Ireland a lot, but to represent Europe was something really nice and very special.
Speaker 1:It comes at the back of that kind of period. I would have to start at the period of where, like I suppose, you really kind of come on the scene and women's golfing and start again kind of producing a lot of results. So was it 2016? You had the Irish double.
Speaker 2:That's a great question. It sounds about right. That sounds like kind of around that time for sure.
Speaker 1:So like that year in particular, I think you have the Irish double, I think you have a Welsh title as well. So like I suppose, like that kind of purple patch coming towards the back end of like your juvenile amateur career, like how much of that kind of stays with you.
Speaker 2:Yeah, like you know, it's funny how you forget all of the things you do. It's funny talking about this now because I haven't thought about my amateur career for a while, because you get to the next step when you're trying to rewrite the story, kind of there. But then when you take time like this and you kind of reflect on it and you go, oh I won, I won Welsh title twice, I won Helen Home. I forgot about this. I know it's kind of crazy that you forget about these things that you've done, but I think picking up those titles and all that I think about it, I think it was really, really fun.
Speaker 2:I think when you win outside of Ireland for the first time, I think that's a big deal. Your Helen Homes, your Welsh stroke plays, all the girls are coming to those. Winning it close is something you want to do because it's at home. It's special, Any Irish championship special. But I think when you're able to compete away from Ireland as well, I think that really shows where your games are. But now that I actually reflect on it, I think sometimes you don't give yourself credit for what you've done because you're always looking for the next win. It's like you might win a close, you might win an Ulster Stroke play. And then you're thinking, okay, how can I win in Scotland? And then you're thinking, how can I win at a European team championships? And you're thinking, all of these things you're always looking for more and then I think sometimes you forget what you've achieved. But yeah, I think winning those championships was a big highlight for me in my career. I think coming home from winning a Scottish championship or anything like that is a huge deal.
Speaker 1:And I suppose that you mentioned your club there then I suppose that getting to bring them Titans back to your home club, the reception, must be something that you haven't forgotten easy in our festivals.
Speaker 2:Yeah, exactly, and you know it's nice for me. I think a lot of the members are really really into the golf so and they follow the championships and they know what a deal it is Like. I had so many people come out and watch like Curtis Cups, and come out and watch me at these events and travel all over the country really like even Curtis Cup in New York. There were so many people there from real country down in Tangege, which was so nice. So I think you know they really get behind amateur golf. They supported a lot of the people at my golf club or like rules officials and those sort of things as well. So I think when you come back and you've had those successful weeks, there's no better feeling though you don't get a practice as much because you're on the putt and green and everyone wants to come over and talk to you.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's a nice problem to have, though. And then I suppose, like 2016, let's talk Curtis Cup. You mentioned during like you've played two of them, but let's talk the one in Dunlairley first. So what was that experience like? Like you have the home crowd, like the result we talked about in a minute, but it just kind of kicking off that week.
Speaker 2:Yeah, like I didn't really know what to expect because I'd never played a Curtis Cup and you know, in amateur golf I feel like everybody talks about Curtis Cup, walker Cup, it's like it's just the two big ones and it's just everybody wants to do it Like it's the biggest thing that you can do. I think in, like you know, it's the biggest honor you can have and it was obviously a team I really wanted to make and it was really interesting. So it was at Dunlairley and I hadn't played Dunlairley, honestly, until the week or well, sorry, a couple of weeks before. You know, I went my prep, whatever and I was like, wow, this is a very American style golf course here, like we're going to be in trouble girls. But I think, you know, having that home crowd was insane.
Speaker 2:I had never played in front of crowds like it. I still to this day it's some of the biggest crowds I've played in front of and I think I don't think it'll be very hard to talk that memory. I think as an amateur that was probably one of my favorite memories the crowds, the support, the nerves on the first tee, like everything about that week wasn't seeing the comeback, I mean to win, I mean, it was just phenomenal, honestly, and when everyone talks about Curtis Cup and Walker Cup and you sort of think, is it really that big Like? Is it as big as what everyone says it is Like, it is like those are the best weeks.
Speaker 1:Yeah, because like I haven't been to a Curtis Cup yet I hopefully get to the one this year. But like by the time I was getting into, I suppose, understanding amateur golf and kind of following it a little bit, and that's kind of around the same time where I kind of I knew what was going on and like I wouldn't have known a lot about Leigh-Adease golf at the time and like Curtis Cup just seemed to be everybody was talking about it and I was kind of going what's going on? And I didn't go to it, which is unfortunate at the time. But and then I went to the Walker Cup and said Andrews Dishon was like what's going on here? Like I've been to so many amateur events and everyone talks about how different it is in the field for it. Like I was kind of going whoa, this is absolutely crazy. So like as a player to get to do it at home, like it's massively special.
Speaker 1:But you had a very successful week and then you were sent out first in singles A great honour but I'm guessing came with a lot of pressure. So what do you remember of that there?
Speaker 2:Yeah. So, like it's weird, I always like playing first, like I like playing even like national championships in college or coach asses, where do you want to play. And I always said I want to play first. And I mean I guess I did not expect it at like my first Curtis Cup in Ireland. Obviously it was very tight, we needed a good Sunday singles and it was a huge honour. I think I played Hannah Zolothen, who was world number one at the time and I'm like just this little kid from Ireland, you know, like it's kind of crazy, but it was really really cool.
Speaker 2:It was a huge honour. It was where I want to play, it's where I'm comfortable, like I always seen myself as like a leader. I've kind of got that outgoing personality of no problems picking up in the team room, of no problem. You know, given everyone that talk like let's go, I feel very comfortable in that position and I was like, okay, I want to go out, I want to go out first, I want to, you know, try and get my point on the board. And I think that was a huge honour for me, especially to do it at home with so much support.
Speaker 1:Yeah, like, and, as you said, being as young as you, are taking on the world number one at a time, and like in a very tight battle, so like as the results that coming in. Then like, so like, try and explain the buzz, if you can remember, as well as a small bit of like kind of when you start realising that the job is coming towards your GB.
Speaker 2:And I would say, it was crazy, like before the week started, honestly, like I felt like we had a good team, but like America was so strong on paper as the all the time, like they literally had like world number one, world number two, you know, like it was like stacked and we had a really good comeback. There was like a rain delay on the Saturday and we won, like I think we won every point in the afternoon. We just like went out and dominated. And then Sunday I remember finishing on the 18th green like throw my putter somewhere, like grabbing the girls, and all I remember is just running around golf course, every word, like it was like we're trying to get this match and trying to get to this match.
Speaker 2:And I think that moment of realising like we did it, and I remember sprinting up the 18th at Dunleary and we're just celebrating and I mean it was just still, to this day, one of the best experiences that I've had. I mean to play in a Curtis Cup is a huge honour and to play in a Curtis Cup at home is an even bigger honour. And then to also like win at home, I just I don't know if anything's much better than that. It was just, it was a whirlwind, it was just crazy.
Speaker 1:Yeah, no, I can only imagine it was, it was magic. So then you get to play it again. And so what's the, what's the two main takeaways you would have from playing one at home and playing one in New York, often so like aware.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's so different. I mean the hospitality like all of that hospitality and all that in America is incredible. But it's so nice playing in GB and I like it's so different without having the crowd on your side. It's tough. Like you know, it gets loud out there.
Speaker 2:It's very, very difficult to do it away from home, like extremely tough, and obviously it was weird and we went from playing one winning and then going to the other one and I think we got beat maybe by the biggest margin ever or one of the biggest margins, like we lost. I had a good week personally, like I think I won maybe the most points. That played pretty good, but it was tough. I think it's really really tough playing away from home. I think no matter how good your team is, when you don't have the crowds on your side, I mean you see it in rider cups and so it's so hard playing away from home. So I mean still a great honour, really really good experience. But I mean it was really tough to honestly play after Dunn-Larry because I think, no matter what happened, nothing was ever going to be the same as that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, like you kind of got the fairy tale ending at the start. Really, with that kind of experience with Cortes Cops, just with, like, I suppose, being a home and everything else, it was never going to be tough but it was always going to be a very different experience Between both Cortes Cops. You end up in ASU. Tell me a little bit about that and come up both for you.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So since I was, you know, sort of 14, I was like, okay, I definitely want to go with that college America route. I kind of seen myself on an LPGA tour. I wanted to get into some better weather, I wanted to play against the best players I could play against. So I wanted that really competitive schedule. Sort of in my head I was thinking, right, we'll go and do a couple of years turn pro and that'll do nicely.
Speaker 2:And then I remember I think it was about 15, 16, and I had a lot of schools, like you know, talking to me, a lot of scouts at European championships, all of that and I don't know why. I think like I honestly Googled Arizona State and I like saw this like the campus and there was like these palm trees and I was like I'm sold, like I am in. I remember one day I had a coach, I had a call with the coach and my mom and dad were like in the living room or something and I came in and I was like I just literally just walked in and I said, okay, so I'm going to verbally commit to Arizona State University and they were like, have you researched? Like you know what you're doing here? And I was like, yeah, I'm good, I'm going to go to this one. They were like, ok, if you think this is a good fit, you go for it. You know, I've always had parents like that, that have been so supportive and like they let me, you know, lead, it's my decision, all of that, and I committed to Arizona State and it was probably the best decision I made.
Speaker 2:I would say a minor career, I think, going to America. I couldn't, I couldn't recommend it enough. Obviously it's not for everyone. People don't want to be away from home. But, like, in terms of the facilities, the competitive schedule, being around like pros, like I mean you're practicing in a facility, and like Paul Kasey's there, adam Norquist there, carlotta Cagana's there, john Rams there, like I mean, when you're around the best players in the world, it's, it's such a cool experience. And then, obviously, to play against really good players in a competitive schedule and also to have the opportunity to get a degree as well, I think it's just such a great route, it's such a great option, and so it's not blowing 40 and raining sideways all week as well Over the top.
Speaker 1:It probably helps a little bit to the choice.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you're not worried about your waterproofs getting too dirty and your shoes.
Speaker 1:But, like I said what you mentioned, they're like ending up there and like they've always produced great players, like they've had strong teams, both men and women's teams, like so like, and you kind of touch on it already. But like being around that class of player, and it was like going in there is how you rate it, as you are yourself, like you were going to do nothing but improve over it, like why are you really?
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's the way I saw it. Like, even if, like, say, your golf doesn't improve and it stays the same, you're going to learn to be away from home. You're going to learn to, like, do your own wash and you're going to learn to have to plan your own schedule. You have to grow up like you've no choice, like you're away from home. You can't just call your family and say, oh, my car is broken down, what do I do? Come and help me. It's like you've got to figure this out by yourself, you know.
Speaker 2:So, I think, in terms of like as a person, I think you grow so much because, I mean, it's hard being so far away from home. But, like I mean golf, I think you're doing something wrong if you go over there and don't improve. The only you know unless you go down a route where you've tried to change your swing or you've done all of those things Like you're a great facility, you've a lot of time to practice, weather's perfect, you have access to so many resources. So I think you know, in terms of your game, improving it's, I feel like it's a no-brainer.
Speaker 1:Yeah, no, it's definitely like, as it was almost being full time Again, like with a bit of study mixed in with it, like you and it's was having the facilities and like all of the stuff around to improve. It's definitely going to help you win a national title with ASU, something I suppose that's not common for a Irish player. So talk us through that one a little bit. So again, like team match play at the end of it. So like something that you're very comfortable with, isn't it?
Speaker 2:Yeah, like I always was a very good match player, I loved it. Like it was like put me out first, let me go get my point on the board. Like I'm competitive, like that farry, like I love it and it's. You know, I think the weirdest thing is is like, over there, it's like the only thing that college sports talk about is like win a national championship, win a national, it's like the biggest thing. And I don't think I realize that until you go there. It's sort of like the, the Walker Cup or the Curtis Cup of America. It's like the biggest thing you can do. But it's just like crazy how big it is.
Speaker 2:And we arrived on campus and before I came in I felt a little bit of pressure because the girls were like our team's so good, you know, you're three in the world, or whatever I was, linnea was like fifth, monica was sixth, so we had three players top 10 in the world. So they're like we are going to win a national championship, like we cannot wait for you to come, like we're going to do this. And I was like, ok, no pressure. You know I got to find my feet over here and that was kind of the goal all year, but I think to go in the first year and to win a national championship I didn't realize how big it was. And then you know you come back home and I don't think people realize like that this is a really big, big deal, but it was incredible. I think I won all three of my matches. I played first out. It was just like the coolest experience. You know it was on Golf Channel, that went in a Curtis Cup.
Speaker 1:But my two highlights in my amateur career and that's for sure, Like you mentioned a couple of times, like wanting to go out first and like what's Olivia like in the team room. So like, before you go out, like are you? Are you the one kind of standing there getting on my going?
Speaker 2:Yeah, like I don't know, Like I feel like it's just my personality, like I'm way bit lured and I go in and I like to have the crack and I'm like come on, like we're going to go out here and we're going to dominate and you know, like messing around but like kind of serious too, and I love playing on the team, like absolutely love it, and I think that's what you miss.
Speaker 2:But like being a pro now is you don't have that, unless you play a soul home cup or a rider cup. You really don't have many weeks like that and I think that's the best thing about amateur golf. Like I remember in amateur golf I was a wee bit fed up of having so much match play. I'm like are we ever going to play stroke play events Because there is so much match play? And you think when I turn pro I'm not going to play any match play, you know, and maybe in a way you get a wee bit sick of it. I know what it's like going to a championship and thinking if I get knocked out in the match play I'm, you know I've got to cancel the hotel and it being just in an inconvenience, but it's actually so fun and I think you should enjoy it while you're an amateur, because you don't get too much of it as a pro.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and it is like even an hour and I was starting to move away from as much match play as as once was, we'll say, and I think it's very much that where, like kids are coming up now very much specializing in golf and kind of saying, ok, well, if I can't play stroke play here, I'm going to go to a tournament in Spain or whatever it may be and play a stroke play. So I think there's definitely looks at it here. But like the match play is like, I always enjoy going to watch match play events, particularly in what I do, because I always know what's going on, because I'm only with the certain players, but I get it like I suppose the better the golfer gets, you can certainly see where the, where the stroke play becomes important. But you pick up wins in America as well individually. Talk me through and remember much about them.
Speaker 2:Yes, I think I got my first win my sophomore year at Palace for this. And then so it was kind of a relief, honestly, because I went in my first year and it was kind of like I thought, you know, I won a lot as an amateur. And then I went there and I was like, oh, you know, I'm not winning, and I just sort of felt like you know, I'm used to like being able to pick up a trophy a year, sort of thing, and I'm like, OK, I'm not not doing that. And then second year went to Palace for this is weird, over there they do like co champions, so it's like I really weird they don't do playoffs honestly. So I was co champion at a tournament in Palace for this and that was just like a big relief and I sort of felt like, OK, like you know, maybe I'm a little more comfortable over here. I can't compete at this level. I'm kind of used to the faster greens, different courses, the grasses.
Speaker 2:And then 2019, which was my third year in college, was my best year. I won three times in one season. I got a win in UCLA's tournament, I got a win at Regionals and then I won Pac 12 championship and that was my biggest individual win, Televised event conference, really really strong conference. I won that in a playoff and that was probably like my biggest amateur win and individually like out of everything, even like the Scottish titles. All of that Because field was so good into winning the playoff was was really really nice. So I think that was sort of my biggest win as an amateur or definitely college win.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, like I just had the Pac 12 and kind of all of them ones like like again and it's was. That's something that people don't understand or appreciate as much as that. How deep the field is there, like, particularly in America, particularly with the college you're at, like being one of the top colleges, like you're only going playing against the best players every week.
Speaker 2:Yeah, exactly Like I think that's part of the reason I chose ASU was I knew it was such a competitive schedule. Like you're playing, you know Stanford's always throwing, ucla's always strong, usc's always strong. You're playing those teams like week in, week out and even now, like I think, like in that Pac-12, there's probably like six, seven, eight girls now on the LPGA tour that played that week, which is, you know, it's crazy at one tournament. Um, but yeah, that's the thing I always find it's really weird.
Speaker 2:You try to explain that how big some of the events are in America to people at home and they don't really get it. And then you know vice versa, because you know if I go, if I come home and I sell one of Pac-12 championship, they're like what's that you know? So they don't fully get it. But yes, some of the fields in college they're strong, like it's to win those. I think it changed the whole world ranking system. But you always knew if you went to an event and it was like an A or an elite event, you're like, okay, that is a strong field.
Speaker 1:And Beth has gone over in the last year or so, so it wasn't part of any conversation we were going to have. But just kind of come into my head, Would you have had a conversation before she went over?
Speaker 2:Yeah. So, like Beth was looking at a couple of schools and I had a good chat with her, we talked about Arizona State. She was looking at a few others and I give her you know my experience what I thought of it, which is, I mean, I can't recommend it enough. I think it's we're all biased, but I think it's one of the best schools and we had that chat and I was really excited when she committed and I sort of said to her like, do you have any questions? Jonathan? You know I'll always be here and it's been nice to spend a little bit more time there this year.
Speaker 2:I was out in. I was out in December for three weeks and I was out there in January for a month. So I spent a lot of time and it's been nice. I feel like I've got even closer to Beth. It's been nice to be at practice and talk to her and help her with some stuff, and it's been really nice. It's nice to have another Irish girl following and hopefully there'll be a few more, you know, coming in behind Beth as well.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think it's Kate Dylan or someone committed as well. I think there's someone else committed recently Dylan's committed.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So like, like and it is. It's something that I suppose is becoming more popular and like I've talked to a couple of girls, particularly at events, and like even more to an apart, and like you come into the conversation and Leonid comes into the conversation about like kind of setting the stage for going to America. I suppose, like the success that you've had there kind of is definitely kind of weaning people more towards going there as well. Like, yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2:I think you know, when you see girls that have won and they've had success and they've enjoyed it and their golf's got better, I think it encourages you a little bit more because it is a scary step. Like there's so many schools, you've got so much choice, it's like, do you trust what you know some of these coaches are promising you? Is it going to be what you want? Is in a good fit, and I think that's why the recruiting process, no matter what advice you give to people, it's so important that you know what's good for you. Like for me, I didn't mind going to a big school. I didn't mind that it was going to be really hot. Like I had a list of things that was important for me. I didn't want a really really academic school. Like I wanted to focus on golf. I knew, like, what my purpose was when I was going there. I wanted to be a round pros and then I also wanted to go to school where I could see myself living after. Like I didn't want to go to California because I knew I wasn't going to live there after.
Speaker 2:It's hard to get golf courses. Taxes are high. You know, you think about those things, which is hard when you're 16, 17 year old and you're yourself what you see in the future as a 25 year old. But I think the recruiting process can be overwhelming, that's for sure, and I think that's why you've got to take a lot of time and you've got to think what's important, Like there's no, it's no good. Me sent to one of the Irish girls like think Arizona State's like the best school ever, and then they're, they're sitting. I want to go to a small school and I don't like playing in the heat. Then that would be a terrible fit for them. So think about yourself and what you like when you're asking for advice as well.
Speaker 1:And before we kind of skip on to your pro career, which I want to talk a little bit about, like if I was like, well, what's the one bit of advice you would give any, I suppose, aspiring junior girl for just to kind of work on within their game early, I suppose?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think I think you have to learn your game. Well, I think I struggled this when I turned pro. I thought I wasn't. I just thought my game wasn't good enough and I chased after to play golf. A certain way, that wasn't the way I play golf, and I think you should like learn your game really really well, know your strengths, know how you play, and then I think you should just like hone in on that and just improve those areas. I think sometimes we get, we're a little guilty of like watching other people and saying, oh, I love how they play, they had it so far, they do this and you chase after all these things. But I think if you just really you know, refine your craft and what you're good at, I think that's probably the most important thing, yeah.
Speaker 1:No, I like. I suppose in the world of social media it has very much become kind of people looking for what someone else took as well. There's probably no one spends more time on Instagram than me with all of the stuff I do. But and you could like, you can put on so many rabbit holes with Instagram and YouTube, like and like. Someone asked me recently enough and it's kind of I asked you the question like what do I see in like seasoned amateurs or like good pros? And I said they're all just comfortable being them Like, like they know what they can do and what works for them, and it's kind of interesting that you had the same opinion, I suppose. So you've been surrounded by teams, olivia, pretty much from I'm going to say 13 and kind of up until turning pro. So, like, what was the transition like for you initially, going from like that environment to pretty much being on your own again in golf terms?
Speaker 2:Yeah, like my transition was weird because I went to Arizona State thinking I would do two years and I did five years.
Speaker 2:I was going to turn pro, went after that season with the three wins and somewhere I fell and broke my hand so I couldn't go to school. So that was that rule and I sort of felt like my game was in a really good place. That was a bit of a setback. And then, obviously, covid came another setback. So my transition, I felt, was sort of delayed, sort of two and a half years, I mean, obviously with COVID. And then finally, so I did the five years in college, which was never my plan. I think COVID gave me this time and I thought, okay, I need to be a better player. And I sort of thought like, okay, this is a good time to sort of change everything and it was probably the worst thing I could have done. Honestly, instead of just working on what I had and thinking that was good enough, I thought I'm not good enough and I need to change these areas and I sort of went searching. So the transition for me was weird, like I felt ready to turn pro in 2019. And then I was obviously delayed two years and then I actually didn't feel like my game was in that great a place when I was getting ready to turn pro. I just went through some changes and I turned pro finally and I felt prepared in a way because I had so much time to gather information and ask questions and what am I gonna do and where should I play? And I'm lucky that I'm around a lot of pros that you know like they're giving me advice. So I wouldn't say I was in the best of places. And then obviously I had personal things going on at the time and my dad was sick. I knew that. So the transition was pretty rough but I was in a weird way I felt like I was prepared for it because on all this research I was ready to late two years and then just happened the time and offer. I didn't feel like I was in the best of places. So I always feel like I'm not the best person to ask about their transition into professional golf because I was not in a good place when that was happening.
Speaker 2:For me, if that makes sense, I think the transition can be a little overwhelming because no matter how paired you are, like I mean, I felt like I was paired and then all of a sudden, I was in Texas and I was playing three weeks in a row and I couldn't rent a car because it didn't have a credit card. And I was like, oh, I didn't know I needed this. And then I was like, what am I gonna do? For three weeks? I don't have a rental car, I'm not 25.
Speaker 2:And no matter how I've prepared you or there's all these things that crop up and I think the transition, the one thing that taught me, is like I was this like type A organized, structured. Everything has to go like this. I know my season, I have my season done out in January. I've got a color coded on the wall Like and now I'm like I might get on a plane to go to Morocco tomorrow or I might go to America tomorrow and I have a book to fly, like that's literally the reality of professional golf is you just don't know what to do next. So I think the transition for me was rough, but yeah, it's a tough thing. It's definitely a tough. It's a tough transition, I think.
Speaker 1:Yeah, like it's something I suppose I've been looking at particularly a lot lately where, like, and again generally over winters I kind of like when the after season here kind of goes down, I'd get very interested in kind of Q schools and everything else and people that I would have been following as amateur turning pro and all that. And it does seem to be like there's no straight path is kind of what I would see it, I suppose, and everyone kind of there's amateurs turn pro that you're kind of saying maybe wouldn't have like the best amateur career and kind of hit the pro ranks to just have a game that suits it, to have amateurs that have great careers and kind of struggle for the initial kind of season or two as pros, we'd say. And I think it's like, is it just that it's just a learning experience to kind of see what works for you if you take out all of the life kind of stuff?
Speaker 2:It's weird, that's as you say. But then the thing is is like when you look at anybody's career amateur, professional nobody has this like clear path with like no obstacles, like everyone. It's weird Like somebody who plays so good last season and then they come out this year and the misloads of cuts or they play really bad in amateur golf and you're thinking how they were literally like hitting every four win green last year. Like golf is such a weird sport and you see that like no one has that career that doesn't have miscuts, it doesn't have the struggles, and I think everybody sort of struggles or like success comes at different times and it's like there's no like written book that you can just read that's gonna say you're gonna play good next year and you're gonna have a good career for five years and then you're gonna have struggles.
Speaker 2:Like golf is the weirdest sport where you can go from not being able to hit a golf shot or find a fair way or having the yips or all of these struggles, to like going and winning loads of trophies the next year. And I think that's where you have to be really careful that you don't compare your journey to anybody else's, because you could have the best amateur career and struggle for a pro for three or four years. You see, like the Lilia Fous, where she I don't think she may, I think she may have one cut on LPGN or she's won three majors. It's crazy, everybody's story is so different. So I think you have to be so careful that you don't compare, because I mean, if I could answer your question and know why people come out and are successful and people aren't, then that would be really, really nice. But it's just like there's no set like plan or journey, and I think that's where you really focus in on your own, you know your own journey, own story.
Speaker 1:Yeah, like in golf is. Golf is probably an anomaly in that sense. Where I guess was because it is always going to be all on you, like no matter what happens, it's on you. There's no team around you, so like you can get people in other sports that are on a patch and because they're within a team, even if they dip off slightly, the team will kind of carry on for a period of time, whereas golf it is kind of you what goes on between your two years and kind of like just staying kind of on track, I suppose, and so like once you turn, throw it in. So like what's your, what's your assessment of Q-School? This was something I am actually very interested in. It's just like it must be the most pressure pack environment.
Speaker 2:Q-School's weird. Like you know, everybody talks about it. It's like nobody wants to be there. It's like you're at this event. Nobody's excited. You feel like nobody's really that friendly. Everyone's in their own little bubble.
Speaker 2:I think Q-School's all about mindset. Really. It's like Q-School is what you make it to be. You can go in there. It could be stressed. I mean, reality often is is you're playing to have a job next year? It's like if you told someone you need to go into this interview and if you don't give a good interview you're not gonna have work next year, you're gonna be stressed and that's the reality often.
Speaker 2:But I think being in a good place mentally at Q-School is probably the most important thing, like being calm about it. And then also I know it's not good, but like sometimes you tell yourself, like you see it, there's like girls, I think, maybe Lily last year she didn't get her card at Q-School. She played in Sunshine Tour, got away into two South African events and won an event. And you see it on the men's side too. So at the end of the day, good golf will take care of everything. You get an invite in, you win all those things.
Speaker 2:But Q-School is stressful and it's not enjoyable and no one wants to be there and it's probably the worst week of the year and it's typical. It's at the end of the season. You know you're burnt out, you've been traveling all year, you don't wanna see your golf clubs and then you try to get ready for, you know, the biggest thing of the year. But I think Q-School's about mindset and there's what you make it. And I think if you get into that mindset of thinking like, oh my gosh, I'm at Q-School and you know you really have to be in control of your thoughts during Q-School, and that's for sure.
Speaker 1:You kind of mentioned it a bit like what kind of a supposed go on by steps and like mentality and being strong enough, like and you stepped away from the game about a year and a bit ago and all like to take some person time. So like how have you found, I suppose, first off having to do that and I'm asking you to go through it all, but like then having to come back into it, like what was that kind of transition like for?
Speaker 2:you. Yeah, it was hard. I think I've always loved golf. Like I've always been like the one that works really hard, like I truly love this. Like if you told me that I was never going to be a pro and I was going to be a high level amateur, I would probably do this until I was like 30 or 40. You know, I still like, I just love the game. I love it and I think it's like you know, one of the most frustrating but rewarding things you can never do is play golf.
Speaker 2:So it was really tough to take that away, but at the same time I knew I needed that time for myself and then coming back was kind of scary, honestly. Like I went back to in Kenya last year and I think you don't know what to expect. You're anxious, you're nervous and professional golf's hard. Like everybody just looks at life's scorn and they don't really know what's going on and they just go, oh, she's playing bad or this is you know, and they just assume a lot of things and that's the thing that we're all guilty of. It's like you look at someone's scorecard and you know they might double the last and you think like, oh, did they get nervous or something happened. You don't really know. You never know the full story, Like, look at life's scorn, isn't it? So I was very nervous coming back but like for me it's been a wee bit of rebuild.
Speaker 2:Like I took that time off and I pretty much split with every person in my team. I had a clean start, complete rebuilds, added really good sports psychologists. I've got a great coach. One thing I did so well as an amateur was I had such a good team around me. I knew everybody was doing their job.
Speaker 2:I had like S&C. I had really good coach I had. Everybody knew what they were doing and I had that team structure and we were all working towards this goal. I got rid of that and I went sort of started a different route when I was changing things during that COVID year. Then now I'm like, okay, I performed best when I have this great team around me. It was like a rebuild for me last year in a way where I added new people to my team and now I sort of see myself working with them for a long time and I don't really see myself changing and I've got really really good team around me now. But coming back after the break was hard, but then at the same time last year for me just felt like a rebuild completely.
Speaker 1:I think that's massively important as well one for you to be comfortable in yourself and, I suppose, knowing that the break was needed, to then coming back, but also having the people around you that have the same vision you have for what's coming in the next chapter.
Speaker 2:I think it's the most important thing. Honestly. I think that's what I've learned from going from having a really good team around me to maybe not as great to then really building that team and that support. And I'm really fortunate now I have a really great caddy. He helps me so much. I've got a really good mental coach. I've got a really good trainer. I've sort of working with nutritionists. I have this really great team around me and we're all working together towards something and I think that cannot be underestimated how important it is. And I'm the one hitting the goal shots but without having them I don't think I would be in a good place off the course or feel as relaxed or any of those things. So I can't give enough credit. And then I'm so fortunate that when I turned pro, I've been awarded very well by my sponsors. I have had.
Speaker 2:My career as a professional has not lived up to any of what I would like for myself from my expectations or how I thought I would compete. And I think it's professional golf expensive, like we were traveling all over the world. We're spending a lot of money and some way she can't make that much money. We were playing for small persons and I think for me, I'm so fortunate where I've got my team around me that do such a great job and then I've got my sponsors who are supportive, like I took time off. They all stuck by me. They were like we'll be better as a person. We just wanna see you happy and successful and go on to achieve what you wanna do. And I think for a company to be in fest and like money and time and all of that and to be that supportive. I feel so fortunate because I don't know if I would still have the finances to be able to do what I do if I didn't have that support from them.
Speaker 1:And that's it. Like I was actually gonna ask you the question. Like, I suppose, building a team while trying to get back to where you want to be as a pro, and like again, it is a very expensive team, and like to bring all these people on, kind of I suppose apply them in different aspects, like, and again, just travel is kind of we are more travelers just getting there by the day, I suppose. So, like you kind of have mentioned that you have sponsors like who's back and you moving forward now and who's been there all along, I suppose yeah.
Speaker 2:So like I've been fortunate, I turned pro and I had parallel companies. Real Time Ulster Carpets Golf Ireland's been great selective travel and that's probably been so helpful for me. Since they've come on board, I don't have to book any of my flights, like it's so good. I literally just send an email. I'm like this is where I need to go, I need to be here at this time, and they just send me my tinnery. They know my preferences.
Speaker 2:Like all of that and just like people being able to take a little bit of weight off your shoulders. Because I didn't realize when I turned pro that I was actually gonna be a professional golfer and a business woman and I thought I'm just gonna play golf like literally. And you forget as an amateur, how spoon fed you are. Like you show up for European team championships. I don't even know what time I'm going to the airport to the day before you look at a text and say be here.
Speaker 2:You're told what you need to pack, you're told all these things, you know. You don't book a flight, you don't have to worry about rental cars, you don't have to do any of this. And then you turn pro and it's like, oh my gosh, I have to sit at night and do admin. Are you kidding me? I thought I was just a professional golfer, so I think having a team around you that can kind of take that weight off your shoulders. But I've been so fortunate to be supported by amazing companies and I think just even them not putting pressure on you to perform, they just want you to be at your best and their support. I think that's been so nice for me on this journey.
Speaker 1:And that's good to hear. I suppose the fact that I guess what you built, the real good team around you and your sponsors are willing, they're a good team as well. I suppose it's not just kind of results oriented or whatever it may be. Ultimately there is goals there for you and I have no doubt. But it's the one thing with Cal for Olivia. Like you just meet special people along the way, don't you?
Speaker 2:Yeah, you do like.
Speaker 2:I mean, I did an interview and I think Irish times or something, and it was when I was kind of getting ready to come back out this time last year and I got an email from the director of Electro Travel and he didn't know my, didn't know my amateur career, read about my story and he said we just want to help.
Speaker 2:Like can we just help you in any way? Like you've been through a tough time, we want to help you and I think when you meet people like that in the golf world, it's just so like to help a stranger, like especially in something like that at this part of my career, and I think that just says so much about like that company, like how great they are. But I just think, like the golf world is so special even now like I get so many texts and supportive messages and from people who watch me as an amateur and they're like come on, you can do this. Like you're gonna get back to your best, you're gonna get back holding trophies, and I think the golf world really does stick together and I think when you're from such a small country like we are, I think everybody just wants to see you do well and be successful and go on to reach your goals, and I think that's one of the best things about it.
Speaker 1:So sitting here again in 2025, what would be the ideal achievements for Olivia in 2024?
Speaker 2:Yeah. So, like I sat down, I had a meeting after the end of the season last year with my coaches and everybody and we put together kind of a plan. The important things for me were like the boring things. Like we're focusing on getting far away numbers up, we're focusing on par-fys, we're focusing on wedges, so I've got like all of those kind of like performance-y goals that we, you know, an eye off. After each event I have spreadsheet, I track everything and then for me I wanna play in the LPGA Tour, I wanna win events. So I think for me getting a win would be you know, it's up there with a goal and obviously getting my LPGA card by the end of the season is up there as well. But they're sort of the things that you say I really would love to achieve. And you know, that's kind of the vision of where you wanna go and you just park it and leave it and then I go back to think about boring things like trying to hit more faraways and trying to get the par-fys scoring better.
Speaker 1:Yeah, like it's the small fixes or the small improvements, I suppose, like to 1%, like there's definitely no true. Or sport where that kind of metric where like it's just 1% better every day. It's kind of I was working towards something, but like the goal is never the final destination. I suppose it's just kind of something that gets in the way once you've kind of been proven off, isn't it?
Speaker 2:Yeah, exactly, and I like to focus on those small things because you do feel like you're in control, like you know, when you go to practice and you say you want your wedges to be better and you're doing track-monging games or any of those, and you see like the scores improve, or you see you had a really nice shot and you're like that was good.
Speaker 2:You know that is the most rewarding thing and I think if you get so like obsessed in the process of that, I think it makes practice more enjoyable. I think it's like you know, it's like going to the gym and send your goals to lose weight, like when you start to see it, you just like you get so excited, you get so involved in the process and I think like truly loving what you do and as much as we have to play and practice, I think it's so important to make it fun as well and enjoyable, and I love those like process goals, for you know just, you just focus on those and then at the end you'll get to your goal eventually, but without even thinking about it, you know.
Speaker 1:Yeah, 100%. Olivia massively enjoyed that chat and thank you very much for your time and I shall be keeping an eye on your career coming up in. Best of luck for the rest of the year.
Speaker 2:Thank you, thanks for having me on.
Speaker 1:Don't talk to me like that.