Janice Olivencia
Encyclopedia
Janice Olivencia has been a professional golf player since May 2005. In 2009, she became the first Puerto Rican woman to play in the U.S. Women's Open, and only the second Puerto Rican since Juan "Chi-Chi" Rodríguez to play in a U.S. Open
, a collegiate basketball player at Sacred Heart University who later became a player on the Puerto Rico Olympic basketball team from 1976-1984, and Gladys Gonzalez. She attended Colegio Catolico Notre Dame
and played in several Junior U.S. Gold tournaments, catching the eye of University of Texas coach Susan Watkins.
Olivencia was signed by Watkins and joined the University of Texas Longhorns in 2000. She won twice, was a three-time All-Big 12 Conference selection and was named the 2002 Big 12 Conference Player of the Year.
In 2009, Olivencia qualified for the U.S. Women's Open, making her the first Puerto Rican woman to play in the tournament. Olivencia began her U.S. Women's Open debut on July 9, 2009, wearing her nation’s colors. “I knew right then I’d be setting an example for little girls back in Puerto Rico,” said Olivencia, attired in her nation’s colors — red shorts and red bow in her ponytail, white shoes and a navy blue shirt. “It’s history, and yes, I am honored and very proud to represent my country, but today I’m just another female playing in the Open.”
Olivencia was cut on day two of the tournament.
Personal life
Olivencia grew up in Caguas and is the daughter of Hector OlivenciaHector Olivencia
Hector Olivencia is a Bronx-born basketball player. He was a collegiate basketball player at Sacred Heart University and played on the Puerto Rico Olympic Team from 1976-1984. He is the father of pro-golfer Janice Olivencia.-Biography:...
, a collegiate basketball player at Sacred Heart University who later became a player on the Puerto Rico Olympic basketball team from 1976-1984, and Gladys Gonzalez. She attended Colegio Catolico Notre Dame
Colegio Católico Notre Dame
Colegio Católico Notre Dame is a coeducational Roman Catholic school located in Caguas, Puerto Rico. Notre Dame is composed of a pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, elementary school, a middle school, and a high school...
and played in several Junior U.S. Gold tournaments, catching the eye of University of Texas coach Susan Watkins.
Olivencia was signed by Watkins and joined the University of Texas Longhorns in 2000. She won twice, was a three-time All-Big 12 Conference selection and was named the 2002 Big 12 Conference Player of the Year.
In 2009, Olivencia qualified for the U.S. Women's Open, making her the first Puerto Rican woman to play in the tournament. Olivencia began her U.S. Women's Open debut on July 9, 2009, wearing her nation’s colors. “I knew right then I’d be setting an example for little girls back in Puerto Rico,” said Olivencia, attired in her nation’s colors — red shorts and red bow in her ponytail, white shoes and a navy blue shirt. “It’s history, and yes, I am honored and very proud to represent my country, but today I’m just another female playing in the Open.”
Olivencia was cut on day two of the tournament.
Amateur
- 2002 Women's Western AmateurWomen's Western AmateurThe Women's Western Amateur is an amateur golf tournament for women. It is organized by the Women's Western Golf Association, which also organized the Women's Western Open from 1930 to 1967. It is one of the oldest women's amateur tournaments in the United States, having been played since 1901...
Champion. - 2002-2003 NCAANational Collegiate Athletic AssociationThe National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
All American. - 2002 NCAA Big 12 Conference Player of the Year.
- 2002-2004 Most Valuable PlayerMost Valuable PlayerIn sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
.
Professional
- 7th in the 2005 Michigan PGA Women's Open.
- 3rd in the 2005 Texas Women's Open.
- T15 at the 2005 Colorado Open.
- Ladies European TourLadies European TourThe Ladies European Tour is a professional golf tour for women which was founded in 1979. It is based in England. Like many UK-based sports organisations it is a company limited by guarantee, a legal structure which enables it to focus on maximising returns to its members through prize money,...
- Qualifying School Stage II. - 30th in the Ladies Open of Portugal.
- 29th Tour School 2007.