CENTER TWP — It's her summer vacation, a time most 17-year-old girls spend at poolside.

But not Marissa DeCola. Even on a damp and dreary Thursday morning, her mind is on golf.

There's no such thing as a summer vacation for the soon-to-be Butler senior.

This isn't a normal summer of golf for DeCola, either. She's branching out, playing in American Junior Golf Association tournaments and national qualifiers all over the midwest.

She wants to get noticed nationally and this is the first step.

“This is the first time I have done something like this,” DeCola said. “I'm also making some college visits. I love it. It's definitely a thrill.”

And there's definitely pressure. But pressure is something DeCola has grown to crave.

She handled the pressure well at the three-round AJGA Junior Tournament in East Moline, Ill. last week.

DeCola fired a 79, 79 and 76 for a three-round score of 234 to place fifth at Short Hills Country Club.

“I've handled it pretty well,” DeCola said. “At first it was hard for me, but I adapted. Your whole future is on the line out there, but I definitely kind of like the pressure.”

DeCola also played in the USGA Junior Qualifier at Battle Ground (Ind.) Golf Club Tuesday, shooting a 77 for a fourth-place finish.

Her round was low enough to qualify her for the U.S. Junior Girls Championship, which will be held July 18-23 at Olympia Fields Country Club in Illinois.

Her midwest journey was more than just about golf.

DeCola, her mother Joanne and 14-year-old brother, Mark, jumped into the family car June 5 and set out for the 10-day trip that also included college visits.

Throughout the journey, the DeColas stayed in five hotels and Marissa visited four college campuses.

“I wanted my mom to see some of the places I was interested in,” DeCola said.

DeCola is grateful, too, for the sacrifices her family has made to make her summer of golf possible.

“I appreciate everything they do for me,” she said. “I'm sure my brother would rather be riding his dirt bike, but he was out there watching me play golf.”

DeCola has honed her game over the years.

Tiny by any definition, DeCola blasts her tee shots 225 yards on average now, up 10 to 15 yards from last summer.

Time spent in the weight room three days a week working on her core and legs have helped.

“You just have to look at the long term,” DeCola said. “I'm sure there are other things I'd rather be doing that working out, but I'm so small, I need something or I won't be competitive.”

The next stop for DeCola is a short jaunt to Avon, Ohio, for the three-day AJGA Cleveland Junior Open, which begins Monday.

It's going to be a busy summer. But DeCola wouldn't want it any other way.