Amelia McKee Archives - Golf Digest Middle East

WATCH: A round-up of the Aramco Team Series — New York from Golf Saudi with Amelia McKee

Matt Smith — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 18:08:45 +0000

By Matt Smith
Take a look at the action from the recent Aramco Team Series — New York at Ferry Point from Golf Saudi with up-an-coming golfer Amelia McKee, the Dubai-raised professional who is on her quest to reach the LPGA.

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Amelia McKee relished her big day in the Big Apple at Aramco Team Series — New York

Matt Smith — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 10:51:18 +0000

By Matt Smith
Golf Digest Middle East caught up with Dubai-raised Amelia McKee, who took part in the Ladies European Tour Aramco Team Series —New York event pro-am at Ferry Point courtesy of Golf Saudi, and played alongside US Solheim Cup 2023 vice-captain Natalie Gulbis, who famously won the Evian Championship in 2007.

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 took part in the pro-am at Ferry Point, New York, as the LET season reaches its climax.

“It was great! I got to play with Natalie, who was unbelievably nice,” Amelia told Golf Digest Middle East. “It was a great experience, and I learned a lot from her about ‘how to make it’. It’s was surreal to be inside the ropes, with someone I grew up watching. She is one of the two players that every female golfer my age had a fascination with.

I got to see Lexi, and snap a pic with her as she was coming off the range. I’m not sure if she remembers me really but I spent some time with her years ago living in Dubai. I got to watch countless other amazing players warm up, and managed to hang out with the likes of Nelly Korda, Laura Davis and Anna Nordqvist.

“I did my best to work some networking skills and I hope I have made some great contacts — all thanks to Golf Saudi of course. I would have never had this chance without them.

“Overall it was a really great day. One that I will never forget. I ended it with a trip to Brooklyn bridge. Tomorrow I head home, away from the busy city and back to my chickens and goats in Texas!”

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Dubai’s Amelia McKee set to rub shoulders with the big guns at LET Aramco Team Series events in New York and Jeddah

Matt Smith — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 07:33:16 +0000

By Matt Smith
As Dubai-raised Amelia McKee aims to secure her LPGA card for 2023 in Q-School this autumn — following her decision to turn professional this summer — the new opportunities are coming thick and fast.

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

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

And she will get an early opportunity to rub shoulders with the likes of Nelly and Jessica Korda at Ferry Point, New York, before again playing alongside the cream of the ladies’ game in Jeddah. Also confirmed are legends such as Laura Davies and Emily Kristine Pedersen, along with stars like Charley Hull, Lee-Anne Pace, Carlota Ciganda, Ines Laklalech Maja Stark, Anna Nordqvist and Bronte Law.

Arranged by Golf SAudi, Amelia has been confirmed for the pro-am Aramco Team Series’ final two events of the Ladies European Tour season — starting at New York on October 12, before the finale at Royal Greens in Saudi Arabia in November.

“It is just incredible,” she tells Golf Digest Middle East on the phone from her home in Texas. “I am so grateful to Golf Saudi. These events all go back to my love of golf and where it all began in the Middle East. To get this opportunity in the pro-am in New York and then Jeddah in November is surreal. It isn’t something I ever thought I would have at this stage in my career and I cannot wait.

“To be around some of the biggest players like the Kordas, Van Dam, Davies, Ciganda and Pedersen … it is actually happening, and I haven’t even got through Q-School yet!

“I want the other players to see that I am on their level and I do what they do. I want to be what they are and finally be able to say that I am there.”

Amelia Mc Kee. Supplied

It has been an eventful year since graduation for Amelia, as she makes the switch from college golf to life on her own, with a little help from dad, who has been with her since her days as a youngster in Dubai.

“It’s been very different,” she explains. “It’s a huge change from college golf, which I think I will always miss from time to time. I miss my teammates, and my coach. But playing pro has been nothing short of a dream come true. Travelling, and playing as a career — especially with my dad on the bag — has been something I have been looking forward to since I was a kid. To look back at who I was 15 years ago, and be able to say: ‘I’m finally here’ is even hard for me to believe. I’m trying to take it all in as much as I can. It is honestly kind of emotional to think about.

“That ‘big dream’ a little seven-year-old talked about on the range at Hearthstone Country Club is finally a reality. It feels like forever ago, and just yesterday at the same time.”

With pro golf comes the financial difficulties of stepping out on your own, and Amelia opted for a GoFundMe appeal to help her get started.

“I was a bit sceptical about starting it in the first place,” she explains. “I didn’t want to come across as asking for hand-outs. After I had a few friends and family members ask me about making one, I decided that I should give it a shot and just see what happens. So many people became such a huge part of my career in just a few days. I was able to afford to go to stage one of Q-school after only 2 days of it being published. Otherwise I wasn’t sure how I was going to pay for it. I was a new pro and didn’t have many sponsors. But aunts, uncles, cousins, old friends, people I haven’t been around in years were all there to support me. It meant more to me than I could ever explain to them. Next thing I knew, my biggest donation yet came in and it was Abdullah Al Naboodah. That was huge for sooooo many reasons. He was such a big part of my success as a little kid living in Dubai all those years ago, and here he was again. Helping make my dreams come true. Because of all these amazing people, I was able to get through Stage I, and pay for Stage II! Anyone who follows golf, knows how big of an expense that is. I’m so grateful to all of them. They’re the reason I’m able to do this.”

Amelia has her own quirks on the course, including wearing one long sock and one short one while competing — and it is all for a good cause.

“It stands for inclusiveness,” she explains. “I was a teacher’s assistant for kids with special needs for a long time when I was a teenager. I have a cousin named Cora Jan, who has Down syndrome, and a very close family friend with a little girl who we call Doodles, who also has Down syndrome. I’ve spent a lot of time around those with disabilities, and they have always had a very special place in my heart. Being around them I saw how differently they can be treated by the community. I wanted to show them that being different does not make you any less capable. In fact, being different can be one of the most special things about you.”

Amelia goes back to the hard work at Q-School in Florida straight after New York, and she is prepared for whatever may come next in her career, and also how the whole thing will unfold following the damage of Hurricane Ian in the south-eastern US State.

“I’m not sure how Stage II will work after the hurricane,” she says. “They may have to move courses. I’ve heard that the course we are supposed to play has some pretty bad damage. But we will see what happens. Next steps really depend on what happens in Stage II. Best case, I make it through and start prepping for Stage III. Of course that is what we are hoping for. After that, I should have a higher Epson (feeder tour) status, and a few LPGA starts. I definitely plan on taking full advantage of that. If Stage III is where my Q- School journey ends (knock on wood), I will look into any and all possible options to get on a full-time tour. I want to try and get into a few LET and LPGA events, and maybe work toward status that way. Through Monday qualifiers and sponsor invites, I definitely think it’s an alternative path. I have a few possible sponsors in the works, but you never know which way the end result will go. I’m definitely going to need a few committed partners for it all to go as planned. So I’m working on that in the background as well. I’m hoping to secure those sometime soon, so I’m able to focus solely on my game for a while.”

It has been a full-on adventure for Amelia, over the past decade-and-a-half, and she is always happy to reflect on her time in the UAE and before, where it all began.

“Oh man, I could talk for hours about this but I’ll do my best,” she explains. “I started playing for fun with my dad when I was 7. At the time I lived in Houston Texas. It became an obsession over the next 6 months and I started playing in competition. I told my dad about a year later that I wanted to be a pro. He asked how serious I was and said: ‘I will help you get there, but sometimes you may not like me for it.’

“I’ll never forget that. But I owe most of my dedication and work ethic to him. Two years later (when I was 9) we moved to Dubai. They didn’t have a girls division. So I played with the boys. I met some of my best friends throughout those events. Over time, I got to watch Dubai create a girls division. That was incredible to watch and be a part of. I had the opportunity to play in a few pro-ams like the one for the Moonlight Classic / Ladies Masters at Emirates Golf Club thanks to Golf Digest and Abdullah Al Naboodah. Living in Dubai was the time in my childhood that really secured the fact that there was nothing in the world I wanted more than to play for the rest of my life. For that reason, the Middle East — Dubai specifically — will always have such a special place in my heart. I owe so much of who I am, and what I have become to that part of the world. It’s crazy to think that many people here in the US will never have to opportunity to see all that it is. I really hope to get back there someday soon, I miss it a lot.”

As if all this wasn’t enough for a whirlwind year, Amelia is also well advanced with wedding plans for December, where she will marry fiance and fellow sports star Chase.

“I get married less than a week after Stage III of Q- school,” she adds. “That is in December. Luckily Chase (my fiancé) is extremely supportive of my career, and works in MLB himself. So he understands the time commitment of a professional athlete. We are building a home in Magnolia, Texas, currently which should be done in October, get married in December, and the rest is history!”

Hopefully, some pretty cool history is on the way, Amelia.

The post Dubai’s Amelia McKee set to rub shoulders with the big guns at LET Aramco Team Series events in New York and Jeddah appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Amelia McKee, one of Dubai’s own, is one step closer to her LPGA dream after making it through Q-School 1

Matt Smith — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 18:23:46 +0000

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

Matt Smith — Mon, 06 Jun 2022 10:41:36 +0000

By Matt Smith
A golfing story that began more than a decade ago has taken a major step closer to a fairy-tale ending as Amelia McKee graduated from college to turn pro.

The 22-year-old said farewell to New Mexico State University and her ‘Aggies’ teammates following graduation on May 7 to set out on a new journey to fufil her lifelong ambition and become an LPGA professional golfer.

But this tale is not like your usual ‘Girl Beats The Odds’ feelgood All-American yarn. It began in a land far, far away that was as much a stranger to young female golfers as Amelia herself was to this desert city.

Amelia and her family moved to Dubai from Houston, Texas, when she was just 10 years old after her father, Rob, took a job in the oil trade in the Middle East. As a youngster in a foreign land, Amelia stuck close to her parents and was often out tagging along with her dad at the weekends. As her father was recovering from surgery — he was a college tennis player in his day — he turned to the game of golf to help his recuperation.

Soon, Amelia was swinging her golf club alongside him and a love story began.

A scholarship took Amelia to New Mexico State University, where she quickly became a key part of the ‘Aggies’ golf team.

This was not a tale without adversity as, back then, Dubai had not yet set up an individual system or academy for female players and Amelia normally found herself contending with boys her own age rather than girls. Undeterred, she worked hard on her game and was soon catching the eye of professionals, who had never seen a young female excel in the UAE before.

“She loves the game and she’s got such a competitive spirit in everything she does,” Rob said back in 2010 ahead of the 10-year-old Amelia’s first big bow at the The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.

Despite her age and diminutive size, young Amelia had shone at the Worldwide Golf Midweek Open played at Arabian Ranches Golf Club, shooting a net 65, gross 91, off a handicap of 26 to earn one of only two Golden Tickets to play in The Invitational. Her round was an astonishing five shots clear of the nearest junior and four clear of the nearest adult.

That competitive spirit Rob referred to remained throughout her journey in the UAE.

“After my dad’s surgery and when he turned to golf for rehab in Dubai, I fell in love with the game,” Amelia told Golf Digest Middle East. “I always wanted to do what dad was doing, so I was out on the course with him. Soon I was picking up a club myself and hitting balls.

“When we moved to the UAE, I quickly discovered that there was no such thing as a girl’s division in golf, so I was forced to learn the game in classes along with boys my age.

“While this was a challenge at first, it rapidly became a good thing as I got to be a part of changing this environment and open up opportunities for other young female players.

“The game became a passion for me and, I guess, I was given a lot of opportunities due to the fact I was a female. I was invited to compete in events and pro-ams, it was an amazing time.”

Her progress in the game while balancing her time with studies and social life took her to the Claude Harmon Academy at The Els Club, Dubai, where things began to get serious in terms of a possible career in the game.

“When I began working with Claude, we focused as much off the course as on it. He began working on my agility, physicality and flexibility. Then came work on my distance because I was pretty much all the time competing with boys my age, so I would have to try to keep up with them on the fairway.

“Thanks to Claude and his team, I learnt the basics I needed that were specific to me and my game and that ultimately led me back to the States to take the next step on my journey.”

That next step was a scholarship at New Mexico State University, where Amelia quickly became a key part of the ‘Aggies’ golf team, with one eye on the pro circuit.

Amelia is aiming to get through Q-School next, while finding sponsors for her pro career.

“I know it sounds strange but I had made my mind up when I was eight years old that I wanted to be an LPGA pro,” Amelia said. “Most parents might laugh and say ‘OK’ with a pat on the head and roll of the eyes, but my dad knew me and took me seriously. This was a real passion and ambition.”

If the task of balancing life away from home as a young freshman with studies, social life and a life-long determination to become a pro golfer were not enough, Amelia is one of the generation who had to contend with the Covid-19 pandemic during some of the most crucial years of her young life.

“It has been an awesome few years, learning, playing and making new friends, but it was really difficult to contend with the pandemic at the same time,” she said. “We essentially lost a season of competing, which can really hurt you during your time at college.

“For this generation as a whole it has been so tough. We had to adjust from full-time at classes and on the course to going online.

“You really need to set out priorities at the best of times to balance social life, studying and then all the extra things like training and practice. It certainly has been hard at times to balance it all up.

“Mental health has to be looked after as well as sometimes you are out and about travelling and then you are cooped up, studying online. Freshman year was tough, where everyone has this new sense of freedom at college and starting a new chapter in life. Now as a senior and a graduate, it is easier and I have learnt a lot about how to get it all right.”

Even before moving to NMSU, a young Amelia had a lot of decisions to make about her future in the game.

“I had verbal agreements to go for a scholarship from about the age of 14,” she explained. “I knew it was where I was going but I was not sure how it all worked due to my time in the UAE and unfamiliarity with the sporting scene in the US.”

The UAE golf scene has changed rapidly since her early days in Dubai, and Amelia is impressed at the growth, and also keeps in touch with her old friends.

“I know how much the UAE has changed since I was a kid as my mates from back then like Rayhan Thomas are now out here are college too and I always keep in touch with them,” she said. “We are still the best of friends and always keep up with developments back in the UAE through their families.

“Even when I was there, Dubai had such great courses like Emirates, Creek, Els, Monty… They had so many elite courses and facilities to help fine tune the game. And it is just getting better all the time.”

Amelia also recognises that full-time support is crucial if you are to get anywhere in the game.

“My fiancé, parents, grandparents have always helped me and supported me all the way, even when I am struggling emotionally after a poor game.

“Guys back in the UAE like Claude and your own David Burke are always following my progress and giving me support. The parents of friends back there too are still cheering me on from afar on social media and continue to chart my progress.

“Then there is my ‘new’ college teammates, we have all made a lot of new friends to help support each other.”

Amelia found support and a strong bond with her friends and teammates at NMSU.

Following her graduation in early May, Amelia wasted no time in getting set for the biggest step in her life — turning pro and contending with a whole new batch of competitors.

“It is difficult to know where I will fit in as a pro, but I know I will get there as I never stop trying and never give up,” she said.

“I first head on to Q-School (in Florida in August), and look for sponsors. One advantage is a lot of the events are in Texas and we will be based in Houston.

“I just keep going as I know I can reach the top. A lot of the girls that are now on Tour on the LPGA I know already as I have played against them during my time so far. I know how to play them and know I can compete.”

As the future awaits, Amelia has a simple message for any aspiring young golfers, male or female, and regardless of where you are based.

“Never give up on yourself,” she said. “It can be such an easy thing to do, especially in a game like golf, where you will have a lot of bad days. I can shoot an 87 one day and 63 the next, and the reason I can bounce back is because of the great team and people I surround myself with. You have to believe in yourself and surround yourself with others who believe in you more. They pick you up when you need them most and are crucial to help get you where you want and need to be.”

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Get the June 2022 edition of Golf Digest Middle East FREE here!

Matt Smith — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 10:08:55 +0000

By Matt Smith

The heat is rising in the UAE as the action heats up across Europe and the United States.

Our latest edition of Golf Digest Middle East reflects on Justin Thomas’ triumph at the PGA Masters, while looking ahead to the US Open at Brookline, and focusing on the mulleted star Cameron Smith, who has made it to the top in his own way.

There is also the small matter of the LIV Golf Invitational Series, as Greg Norman’s money-spinning brainchild tees off at Centurion Club near London in England.

Closer to home, we had one of the most dramatic Dubai Golf Trophy tournaments in its 23-year history, and we chart the journey of Amelia McKee, from youngster in a strange land in Dubai to turning professional.

Emirates Golf Club’s Olivia Jackson discusses the need for more mixed and team events to boost the ladies’ game, while we have a solution for all your putting and chipping woes.

All this and much more in the June 2022 edition of Golf Digest Middle East.

The issue is again free to our loyal audience. You can scroll through the ISSUU link provided here or download to your favourite device for later. Alternatively, pick up a copy at your favourite club. Whatever option you take, we hope you enjoy the read.

The post Get the June 2022 edition of Golf Digest Middle East FREE here! appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

New direction: Dubai golfer Amelia McKee turns pro after graduation, Q-School in Florida up next

Matt Smith — Thu, 12 May 2022 06:53:48 +0000

Amelia McKee, bottom right, with her New Mexico State University teammates. Amelia McKee

By Matt Smith
One of Dubai’s own is setting out on a new career path as just-graduated Amelia McKee has taken the decision to turn pro, stating “it is time to try my hand at a professional career, and move into my ‘grown-up’ life.”

The American 22-year-old has said farewell to New Mexico State University after graduating at the weekend, closing a chapter on a golfing journey that took her halfway around the world and back again.

The Houston, Texas, native moved to Dubai as a 10-year-old as her father took a job in the oil industry. She quickly fell in love with the game of golf in the UAE, progressing through the ranks while contending with the male players as there was no young female golf scene to speak of back then.

Amelia caught the attention of Claude Harmon at the Els Club, Dubai and he helped guide her on her journey that led to a scholarship at NMSU.

Three years further on and next up is Q-School in Florida, with the aim being the Epson Tour and — ultimately — the LPGA Tour.

“Today I say goodbye to college golf,” Amelia wrote in a public social media post.

“There are so many things that I have to say, none of which fully capture what I am actually feeling. I am unbelievably grateful for the experience and time I have had here at NMSU. Thinking about where I started, how I got here, and the last three years of my life bring up so many emotions. I could never put into words how much it all means to me.

“To my teammates -— you girls have changed my life in ways that you will never understand. You gave me a family far away from mine. You gave me peace and happiness on my hardest days. You helped me rekindle my love for the game of golf. For those things, I will never be able to repay you. But know that I have loved every moment being here with you.

“You’re going to do amazing things, long after I’m gone. And long after college. You’re the best people I have ever known. I can’t wait to see where this crazy world takes you, I know it will be magic. I love you forever.”

A young Amelia McKee with Sergio Garcia

Amelia also took time out to show appreciation to her coaches.

“Thank you for taking a chance on me,” she wrote. “I’m so proud to have been apart of the programme you created. Over the past three years, you have exceeded any expectation that I had of college golf. Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you for believing in me, even when it was hard to do myself. Thank you for simply being there when I needed you. Y’all are the best thing that could have happened to me. The 2019 version of myself was so lost and confused, you gave me a purpose and direction when I needed it the most. I am forever grateful.”

She signed off: “New Mexico State University, I will love you until the end of time.”

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