By Matt Smith
Dubai-raised Amelia McKee is up for a treat this week as she was lucky enough to get an invitation for the Ladies European Tour Aramco Team Series —New York event pro-am at Ferry Point courtesy of Golf Saudi.

It was a (very) long day with a 3am start in native Texas for the golfer who was raised in Dubai. And, after the long haul from home, the bright lights of NY gave a real sample of the city that never sleeps.

McKee aims to secure her LPGA card for 2023 in Q-School this autumn — following her decision to turn professional this summer. The 22-year-old graduated from New Mexico State University this summer as part of their famed ‘Aggies’ golf team.

Following her safe negotiation of Q-School 1 in August, she is a step closer to achieving her life-long dream of teeing it up with the best in the game on the LPGA.

Now ahead of Q2, thanks to an invitation from Golf Saudi, she will take part in the pro-am at Ferry Point, New York, as the LET season reaches its climax.

Speaking directly to Golf Digest Middle East, Amelia had an (exhausting) tale to tell as she took her first take of the Big Apple, having travelled from her home in Texas.

“This city is incredible. It’s far different than what I’m used to,” she said. “I don’t come from the middle of nowhere, by any means, but I also don’t come from anywhere near ‘city life’. It is busy, busy, busy.

“Everywhere I look, there is something going on. My parents and I took a tour bus, we rode the Subway, visited the World Trade Center memorial, and got to meet Tiger Woods at Madame Tussauds.

“We saw street performers , and it seems like no one stops moving here.”As a golfer, I have seen a lot of places in my life, but I am so grateful to Golf Saudia and the Aramco Team Series for this opportunity. Now I can take New York off my bucket list.

After such an early start from Texas, it was a long day (4am-10pm), so now I will get a good sleep. Can’t wait to play some golf in the morning, and be a part of this awesome event.”

For the pro-am, Amelia will be playing alongside US Solheim Cup 2023 vice-captain Natalie Gulbis, who famously won the Evian Championship in 2007.

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