THE MODERATOR: I'm here in the media center for Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give with Olivia Stoll, recent grad of Grand Valley State University and our Monday qualifier. First things first, first LPGA Tour event. How does it feel? Has it sunk in yet? What are the emotions like now?
OLIVIA STOLL: I don't think it's fully sunk in. Yesterday I came and practiced a little bit, and today when we pulled into the parking lot I was like, wow, this is really happening. I just went in the Titleist van and saw what was going on there.
Thank you to Meijer for everything they have done for this amazing event. I've grown up coming to this tournament, so to be able to play, it's a pretty cool experience and I'm really excited.
Q. Growing up did you ever think you were going to go playing this event like in the back of your head it's a dream but now it's actually happening? Can you put that into words?
OLIVIA STOLL: Started playing golf when I was 15, so five and a half, six years ago. So I came to the tournament, thought it was fun, but never thought I would be playing in this.
When I had the opportunity to play in the qualifier this year, I was like, okay, this will be a real test. Everyone is like, you can play, you're good enough. I just never really believed it. Playing in the qualifier, halfway through I was like, okay, maybe I could play pro golf. Maybe this is something I do want to do.
So no, I never thought I would be here. But here we are.
Q. You had a unique Monday qualifier. Your mom, coach at Michigan State, playing against one of her players. What was that like? Your mom was probably happy either way. What was that like?
OLIVIA STOLL: Well, the girl who I played against is one of my super close friends, so we were just standing up by the scoring. We were like, okay, this is a chance. We're going to have to go into a playoff.
We thought there would be three of us, and when we found out it was just the two of us we kind of just looked at each other and were like, okay, let's just go have fun and whatever happens. Like I'd be so happy if she made it; she was like I'll be so happy if you make it.
So overall made the experience a little bit better and it was fun to be able to do it with her.
Q. Playing in your first LPGA event in your hometown, naturally going to have a whole lot friends and family here.
OLIVIA STOLL: Yes.
Q. What are your nerves going to be like on the first tee tomorrow?
OLIVIA STOLL: Definitely think I'll be nervous. My parents been telling me it's just another rounds of golf. Nothing that I've every experienced bit in the end the scores are going to go on the scorecard the same way. So take it one shot at time and enjoy the experience.
Q. You mentioned that you've been coming to this tournament since you were a kid. You know about the crowds here.
OLIVIA STOLL: Yes.
Q. How this community comes out. It's going to be a little different from playing NCAA team golf, so is that going to -- in addition to playing in front of friends and family, is that going to have a different mindset for you playing in front of a lot of crowds or just kind of focus as hard as you can?
OLIVIA STOLL: I think I'm just going to try to focus as much as I can on the next shot in front of me. Playing in American Dunes in the fall the TV was following. I played with a girl who was leading the first two days, so I got to see what it was like with the TV people around.
My main focus will be to stay locked in and try to distract my brain from the other, like the people watching.
Q. You're playing as an amateur this week. Will this be the testing ground to see how things go for going forward for you?
OLIVIA STOLL: I would say yes. Going into this I didn't think I really wanted to turn pro because I think the confidence, I didn't have it in my head. I'm going to enjoy this week and see what happens next. This could be a big turning point to push me the extra step to decide to turn pro.
Q. What are the couple of biggest pieces of advice your mom has given you?
OLIVIA STOLL: The biggest thing she said was take it one shot at a time. Bogeys are going to happen. It's part of golf. Stay in the moment, enjoy the experience, and if you make a bad number, move onto the next one. Just stay in the moment.
Q. What has been your sort of pinch-me, oh-my-gosh-I-can't-believe-I'm-doing-this moment this week?
OLIVIA STOLL: I don't know if there has been one. I thought I was going to be a lot more nervous during the qualifier. I wasn't that nervous. Just another round golf.
I really don't know. I'm sure once I get on the first tee tomorrow, wow, this is really real. This is happening.
Q. Is there a certain moment through the years from attending this tournament that stands out, like an interaction with a player or a moment that you really remember?
OLIVIA STOLL: I would say sitting on the J Brewers tent just watching all the girls go through the fairway. I always thought that was so cool. I was like, wow, I cannot imagine being one of them with all these people watching and just hitting a good shot, and now I'm going to be roles reversed hitting the shots. I think that will be pretty cool.
Q. Had you ever tried to qualify for this event before?
OLIVIA STOLL: I have not. This is the first time.
Q. Why try now?
OLIVIA STOLL: I had a pretty good senior year and my golf game just went to the next level. I was like, okay, if I have an opportunity to try and qualify, I might as well take it. It's in Grand Rapids, where I'm from, so thought it would be a great opportunity.
Q. Since your family is from here, how familiar are you with this course? How many times have you played it over the years?
OLIVIA STOLL: I played a good amount. Being at Grand Valley, we had a few donors who are members here, so they tried to bring us out as much as they could. I have had a few good rounds, and my lowest round ever is out here, so that's good vibes going into the tournament.
Q. You talked a little bit about how you weren't planning necessarily on going pro. You did just graduate.
OLIVIA STOLL: Yes.
Q. What were you planning on doing next?
OLIVIA STOLL: Yeah, so my family owns three golf courses, so my plan was over the summer to work for them, which I still plan to do. Then I have an internship at a course in Naples, so going down there and work for the winter months. After that I didn't really know. That's my plan as of right now. We'll see.
Q. You mentioned you came here when you were younger. Getting to play alongside some of the people you watched, any names or people you see on the range or putting green and interact with?
OLIVIA STOLL: Lexi and Brooke are pretty cool to see, and they tee off similar, so my dad was like, wow, you're going to be on the range with them. I was like, yeah, wow. So that will be cool.
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