Armed with a bag of clubs and perhaps some chequered trousers, a St Paul’s Cray girl is off to play golf in the USA.

Stephanie Marshall, 19, has won a scholarship at a division two college in North Carolina and is due to jet off to start a two-year course this year.

Miss Marshall, of Ravensbury Road, will also be studying English, maths, human psychology, and sports medicine.

But the sport is her dream and she hopes to realise her ambition of turning professional in the coming years after stepping up to the next level.

She said: “I’m completely excited, I can’t wait. I’m kind of nervous too – I’ve never been to the US before.

“After this course I want to go to a division one college and then join the Ladies’ Professional Golf Association and compete.

“It’s all pretty cool”. 

She first hit a ball seven years ago after trying her hand at the local park – and was soon honing her skills at Birchwood Golf Club in Swanley.

Mr Marshall, 61, said he is “really proud” of his daughter’s achievements, but added it will be hard to see her go.

He told News Shopper: “She had five offers – she’s done so well. She’s off in August and of course I’ll miss her.

“She got into it when she was 12. It was on TV and I said ‘do you fancy going and hitting some balls’.

“Then I took her to the gold club and that’s how it all started really”.