Olivencia Inducted to Caguas Sports Hall of Fame
Sunday, November 17, 2019 | Women's Golf
Florida women’s golf associate head coach Janice Olivencia was inducted to the Caguas Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Women's golf associate head coach Janice Olivencia has been inducted into the 2020 Caguas Sports Hall of Fame, the Caguas board of directors announced Sunday.
Olivencia is one of nine individuals recognized in this year's class and becomes the fourth member in her family to be honored.
"Being acknowledged by the City of Caguas and its board of directors as an ambassador for the sport of golf is a humbling moment and a prestigious recognition," said Olivencia.
Caguas, Olivencia's hometown, is a city located in Puerto Rico's Central Mountain Range. Growing up, Olivencia was surrounded by family members who ignited her desire to be an athlete.
"My family, without question, is the reason for my passion for sports and why I pursued golf," Olivencia said. "They taught me, among many other things, the value of discipline, integrity, loyalty and compassion."
In 2000, the Puerto Rican moved to Austin, Texas where she spent four seasons playing for University of Texas. During her tenure in the Lone Star State, Olivencia was a three-time All-Big 12 selection as well as the Big 12 Player of the Year her sophomore season. In postseason play for the Longhorns, Olivencia notched two top-10 individual finishes at the NCAA Championships as well as led the team to a Big 12 title as a senior.
In addition to her accolades with Texas, Olivencia won the prestigious Women's Western Amateur Championship. She was also a Co-Medalist at the U.S. Open Qualifier, and both a quarterfinalist and semifinalist at the North & South Amateur Championship.
Olivencia was also a member of the Puerto Rican National Golf team from 1998-2004 where she represented her country twice at the World Amateur Championships.
Following her amateur career, Olivencia pursued the game at a professional level. In 2005, Olivencia became the first Puerto Rican woman to qualify for the Ladies European Tour. She competed on the LET until 2008 before joining the LPGA Futures Tour for two years.
During Olivencia's time on the Futures Tour circuit, she accomplished another first for Puerto Rico as she qualified for the 2009 U.S. Women's Open. Olivencia's entry into the U.S. Women's Open marked the first time in history that a Puerto Rican woman qualified for a major event.
After a celebrated professional career, Olivencia began coaching at the collegiate level.
She arrived in Gainesville following a successful stint at the University of South Florida which included the program's first Big East Championship. The success Olivencia experienced with the Bulls immediately carried over to the Gators' program.
Now in her eighth year with the Florida women's golf program, Olivencia has already left a legacy. The Gators have claimed 20 team titles through Olivencia's tenure, including an SEC Championship in 2017.
UF has qualified for six NCAA Championships with Olivencia on staff. Last season, Florida saw its first individual medalist at the NCAA Championships since 2003 when Sierra Brooks placed second behind a 4-under 215.
There are currently five UF women's golf alumni competing at the professional level who were mentored by Olivencia - Karolina Vlckova (2013-17), Samantha Wagner (2015-17) Anna Young (2012-15), Maria Torres (2013-17) and Sierra Brooks (2017-19).
While Olivencia has experienced success both playing and coaching the game of golf, following in her family's footsteps as a Caguas Sports Hall of Fame inductee may be the most significant moment of her career.
"Joining the Immortals and being the fourth member of the family to be inducted is truly an honor that I will forever be grateful for and will always hold dear to my heart," said Olivencia.
Olivencia is one of nine individuals recognized in this year's class and becomes the fourth member in her family to be honored.
"Being acknowledged by the City of Caguas and its board of directors as an ambassador for the sport of golf is a humbling moment and a prestigious recognition," said Olivencia.
Caguas, Olivencia's hometown, is a city located in Puerto Rico's Central Mountain Range. Growing up, Olivencia was surrounded by family members who ignited her desire to be an athlete.
"My family, without question, is the reason for my passion for sports and why I pursued golf," Olivencia said. "They taught me, among many other things, the value of discipline, integrity, loyalty and compassion."
In 2000, the Puerto Rican moved to Austin, Texas where she spent four seasons playing for University of Texas. During her tenure in the Lone Star State, Olivencia was a three-time All-Big 12 selection as well as the Big 12 Player of the Year her sophomore season. In postseason play for the Longhorns, Olivencia notched two top-10 individual finishes at the NCAA Championships as well as led the team to a Big 12 title as a senior.
In addition to her accolades with Texas, Olivencia won the prestigious Women's Western Amateur Championship. She was also a Co-Medalist at the U.S. Open Qualifier, and both a quarterfinalist and semifinalist at the North & South Amateur Championship.
Olivencia was also a member of the Puerto Rican National Golf team from 1998-2004 where she represented her country twice at the World Amateur Championships.
Following her amateur career, Olivencia pursued the game at a professional level. In 2005, Olivencia became the first Puerto Rican woman to qualify for the Ladies European Tour. She competed on the LET until 2008 before joining the LPGA Futures Tour for two years.
During Olivencia's time on the Futures Tour circuit, she accomplished another first for Puerto Rico as she qualified for the 2009 U.S. Women's Open. Olivencia's entry into the U.S. Women's Open marked the first time in history that a Puerto Rican woman qualified for a major event.
After a celebrated professional career, Olivencia began coaching at the collegiate level.
She arrived in Gainesville following a successful stint at the University of South Florida which included the program's first Big East Championship. The success Olivencia experienced with the Bulls immediately carried over to the Gators' program.
Now in her eighth year with the Florida women's golf program, Olivencia has already left a legacy. The Gators have claimed 20 team titles through Olivencia's tenure, including an SEC Championship in 2017.
UF has qualified for six NCAA Championships with Olivencia on staff. Last season, Florida saw its first individual medalist at the NCAA Championships since 2003 when Sierra Brooks placed second behind a 4-under 215.
There are currently five UF women's golf alumni competing at the professional level who were mentored by Olivencia - Karolina Vlckova (2013-17), Samantha Wagner (2015-17) Anna Young (2012-15), Maria Torres (2013-17) and Sierra Brooks (2017-19).
While Olivencia has experienced success both playing and coaching the game of golf, following in her family's footsteps as a Caguas Sports Hall of Fame inductee may be the most significant moment of her career.
"Joining the Immortals and being the fourth member of the family to be inducted is truly an honor that I will forever be grateful for and will always hold dear to my heart," said Olivencia.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
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