Cal attended California Polytechnic University–Pomona and graduated in 1974 with a degree in Civil Engineering. However, before even attending college he had been in the Landscape Architecture and Planning industry. Cal began working for Peridian International in 1968 and worked there as a partner until 1979. It was in 1979 that he began his own business, Cal Olson Golf Architecture. Cal has a variety of experiences and backgrounds which help him approach a job and find solutions that enhance all aspects of the goals. He is registered with the California state boards in Landscape Architecture and Engineering, is a charter member of the Golf Course Builders Association of America, and has 30 years of experience in land planning. His additional 25 years of course design experience allows Cal to be comfortable designing courses in a variety of conditions and environments.