Amelia McKee at Mission Hills in California. Courtesy Amelia McKee

By Matt Smith
Amelia McKee, the American golfer who was raised in Dubai and has just turned professional, is one step closer to her LPGA dream after making it through Q-School 1.

The 22-year-old graduated from New Mexico State University this summer as part of their fames ‘Aggies’ golf team, and set out on her own journey in the unpredictable world of golf.

Her ambition has been to become an LPGA Tour player — “I just keep going as I know I can reach the top,” she told Golf Digest Middle East — ever since she fell in love with the game as a 10-year-old in Dubai after her family moved to the Middle East.

More: How Amelia McKee’s fairy-tale dream came true in Dubai

And now that dream is within touching distance for Amelia as she made it through the first phase of Q-School in California, following seven straight days of hard work that saw the competition whittled down from 330 to 100, who now progress to phase 2 in Florida.

Amelia finished T-80 in the field on even-par, with a blistering 69 in Round 1 setting her up nicely.

“What a week it has been,” she said on social media. “Three days of practice and four competition rounds at Shadow Ridge, Arnold Palmer and Dinah Shores … in 105-115 degree heat! Only 100 advance and I could not be more excited to be one of them. Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive and encouraging leading up to, and through this week. It’s been a very stressful, nerve wracking and exciting process. I genuinely couldn’t have done it without all the love and support. See you in Florida!”

Stage 2 of Q-School takes place in Venice, Florida from October 18-21.

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