Varsity golf player Sophie Thai ’26 will compete in the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship — an elite national tournament— in Tulsa, Okla., in August. Thai, who has been playing in golf tournaments since she was nine years old, was recruited to Dartmouth from Los Altos High School. After two years on the Dartmouth team, she earned the Championship seat at a qualifying competition in Newton, Mass., on July 16. The Dartmouth sat down with Thai to discuss her recent qualification, playing golf at Dartmouth and how she’s gearing up for the competition.
Tell me about your experience qualifying for the Championship. How did you feel?
ST: The qualifying competition was around one week ago. It was a one-day tournament, 18 holes, and the top two finishers advanced. The U.S. Women’s Amateur is a pretty big tournament, and it has been a goal of mine to qualify for it for a while. I’ve come close a couple of times, but this is my first time actually qualifying.
Going into the qualifying tournament, I didn’t have super high expectations. I was really there to have a good time and spend some quality time with my dad on the course. So it was definitely an added bonus to qualify.
It was kind of an interesting round because I got my first career hole-in-one on the fourth hole. It was definitely a special moment. It was kind of funny because nobody really saw the ball go into the hole. All of us were kind of skeptical — we thought it had bounced somewhere else. So it was really funny just walking up and realizing that the ball was in the hole. I was really surprised.
Can you tell me a bit more about the U.S. Women’s Amateur?
ST: The U.S. Women’s Amateur is definitely a really big championship — probably one of the most competitive I’ve ever played in. The level of players is just so high. It’s the best of the best, really. You know that everyone there deserves it and has earned their spots. It’s definitely a higher level of competition than I’m used to and have competed against in the past, but I’m excited to see where I stack up among them and really have a great opportunity to watch great players play.
Tell me about your training. What gave you the edge to qualify for the Championship?
ST: I have to give a lot of credit to my friends. They were really encouraging me to go out on the range. A lot of them have started to play golf recently and their energy has kind of rubbed off on me. I also think that my mindset has shifted a little bit — it’s definitely about having a good time and just appreciating being on the course. I think that helps a lot, because you’re more relaxed and you’re just enjoying yourself.
What’s it like playing for the Dartmouth women’s golf team? How do you balance playing on a varsity team with rigorous academics?
ST: Our coach is great, and being a part of the team is really wonderful, especially since golf is such an individual sport by nature. I’ve definitely made some of my best friends while being on the team, and it’s an experience I wouldn’t change for anything else. I really appreciate the team aspect. Up to this point, it was a lot about how you’re doing individually, how you’re stacked up against other players.
At Dartmouth, school definitely plays a huge role. I’m taking three classes right now — and they’re not easy classes by any means — but I do try to fit in range sessions in the evenings with my friends and make sure I’m still practicing and keeping my swing in check.
Most recently, I’ve been playing with a couple of my friends that have picked it up for fun. But I think it brings out a fun aspect of golf, because, by coaching, you see what the important mechanical parts of the swing are. That kind of reminds me of the basics and things that I need to remember to do in my own swing.
How are you feeling about the competition in August? Do you think you have a shot at placing at the top of the group?
ST: Honestly, I’m going to try to not have any expectations going into the Championship. I think if I play my best game and really stay focused, that anything is possible. I think I am capable, if everything comes together. I’m just going to go out there and have a good time — and try to maintain the same mindset that I’ve had going into these last few tournaments.
What are your goals for your golf career in the long term?
ST: Ever since I was little, my overall dream — even though it might not exactly be feasible right now — would be to go pro. Any athlete growing up wants to be a professional in their sport, because we spent so much time and dedication on it.
I definitely want to continue playing golf in the future. It’s a great way to bond with people socially and spend a lot of time with my family, and I think it’s brought a lot of positive things to my life. So it’s definitely something that I’m going to continue doing in the future as long as I can.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
