By Leonard Lim

SHE has harboured ambitions of landing a golf scholarship from a college in the United States for years.

And yesterday in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Kok Jo Ee took a major step towards realising her dream. The Singaporean finished third in the prestigious Optimist International Junior Championships in the Girls' 14-15 category.

The 15-year-old carded a three-under 213 total (71, 68, 74) at the PGA National Golf Club's Haig Course. She finished behind Thailand's Panitta Yusabai (209) and Pavarisa Yoktuan (212).

'It was my first time competing in this tournament, and I was just aiming for a top-10 finish,' said Jo Ee, a 0.2-handicapper, in a telephone interview.

Jo Ee, who has an average driving distance of 240 yards, could have finished one place better if not for an errant tee shot on the par-four, 340-yard 18th.

The Laguna National Golf and Country Club HSBC Youth Golfers' programme trainee tried to do a fade around the trees on the dogleg right, but the shot went left and ended up in the water.

She ended up with a double-bogey, her first over the 54 holes at the par-72, 5,574-yard course.

'I played really well overall. It was great playing with others from around the world. I could test my game against theirs and see my weak points,' said Jo Ee, who picked up the sport when she was 10.

The Secondary 3 student at Methodist Girls' School credited her putting and iron shots for the good score, but said she still needed to work on her chipping and getting out of bunkers.

There were a total of 47 teenagers from 13 countries, including the United States, Mexico, the Netherlands and Spain, in her age group. Every year, over 650 juniors aged between 10 and 18 from 30 countries compete in the Championships. It is one of the world's largest junior golf events, and since 1978 has been used as a springboard for many of the sport's greatest players like Tiger Woods.

Jo Ee's mother Jacqueline said three US college scouts contacted them after the tournament. 'They were impressed with Jo Ee's play, and expressed interest,' she said.

Said the teenager: 'I came to this tournament to get a result and try to get scouted for a golf scholarship. We haven't identified any schools yet, but will send out resumes soon.'

Jo Ee also played in the prestigious Callaway Junior World Championships from July 14-17, finishing 16th out of 60 golfers in the Girls' 15-17 division.

Her four-over 300 over four days at California's world-famous Torrey Pines North course saw her finish 15 shots behind winner Jang Ha Na of South Korea.

Said Janice Khoo, the HSBC programme's chairman: 'Jo Ee's been very dedicated and focused since joining us in 2007, and can balance studies and sports well. She has strong parental support and if she continues to work hard, she can go very far.'

This article was first published in The Straits Times.