US Senior Am: John Olive is Robert Polk's New Best Friend

August 23, 2017 | by Colorado Golf Association

Time for Robert Polk (L) to start shopping for John Olive's (R) thank-you gift<br>(Colorado Golf Association photo)

For the second time in six years, Polk is the 1st alternate for the U.S. Senior and gets in when Olive withdraws

PARKER, CO (August 24, 2017) - Perhaps Robert Polk owes Colorado Golf Hall of Famer John Olive a thank-you note. Twice after finishing as first alternate in qualifying for the U.S. Senior Amateur, Polk has gotten into the national field by virtue of Olive withdrawing ahead of time. It happened in 2011, and a repeat scenario has played out this summer, which means that Polk will tee it up in the national championship starting Saturday (Aug. 26) at The Minikahda Club in Minneapolis. "(Olive) had some other stuff come up that he had to take care of," Polk said Wednesday after finishing third in the CGA Super-Senior Stroke Play at Buffalo Run Golf Course in Commerce City. "He called me Friday afternoon and said, 'Do you want to play?' I said, 'Of course, I'd love to.' He called the USGA and it was all set Friday afternoon." Ironically, it was a playoff against Olive that kept Polk from being in the national field in the first place. In a July 24 qualifier at Colorado Springs Country Club, the two were part of a three-golfer playoff to determine the final two national berths from the site. Guy Mertz from Longmont advanced with a par on the first extra hole. But Polk's drive on the second playoff hole finished stymied behind a tree in the rough and he took an unplayable-lie penalty. Olive finished with a regulation par on the hole to land the final national berth. But after Olive's WD, Polk is heading to Minneapolis after all. "It's wonderful," said Polk, a 62-year-old from Colorado Golf Club and a three-time CGA Senior Player of the Year. "I've always said, 'This is why you do it.' The USGA is the pinnacle for us. You just want to see what you've got against the best in the country. That's always fun." It will be the fifth USGA championship overall for Polk, who has also competed in a U.S. Senior Open, a U.S. Mid-Amateur, and a U.S. Amateur Four-Ball with Bill Fowler.

About the U.S. Senior Amateur

US Senior Am: John Olive is Robert Polk's New Best Friend

The USGA Senior Amateur is open to those with a USGA Handicap Index of 5.4 or lower, who are 55 or older on or before the day the qualifying begins, usually in August. It is one of 15 national championships conducted annually by the USGA.

Most Popular Articles

Masters: Memorable performances by amateurs in the last 40 years

Apr 2, 2026A Mid-Amateur legend and a 14 year old have won low-amateur honors at Augusta National over the years

Meet the Amateurs in the 2026 Masters: Six Different Paths to Augusta National

Mar 22, 2026From teenage phenoms to seasoned dreamers, the amateur class at the 2026 Masters brings six compelling stories to Augusta

San Francisco City Championship: Champions Crowned

Mar 22, 2026Joey Hayden, Gianna Singh, Bob Niger, and Jeff Thomas capped championship week with title-winning performances at Harding Park.

Gary Woodland Wins Houston Open in Emotional Comeback After Brain Surgery

Mar 30, 2026Gary Woodland’s Houston Open win is a reminder of why perseverance matters in golf

2026 Augusta National Women's Amateur: Full Field Preview, Favorites & How to Watch

Mar 30, 202648 of the top 50 players in the world. Two past champions. One teenager who lost by a single stroke last year.

Filters

Related Tournament

U.S. Senior Amateur

View Details

Loading latest news...

Loading article...