When Maria Jose Uribe finished her two rounds of golf at the Country Club of Spartanburg on Thursday, there was little doubt that she had already earned one of the five spots in the U.S. Women's Open being held June 29-July 2 in Newport, R.I.

But despite a two-round total of 145 that had spectators eagerly offering congratulations to her, Uribe wasn't yet convinced.

Uribe, 16, was so unsure that she decided to wait until the final results were posted before phoning her father, who was back home in her native Colombia.

"I'm going to have to wait an hour more before I call him," Uribe said.

When it was all said and done, Uribe had plenty of good news to report. Not only had she earned an invitation to the U.S. Women's Open, but she had also tied Sweden native Kristina Tucker with the day's top score.

"I'm not surprised with my own score, but I am surprised with the scores of the other girls because I didn't think I would be even close to the cut," Uribe said.

Uribe, 16, is enrolled at the International Junior Golf Academy in Hilton Head.

"I played really well last summer, so the academy gave me a scholarship," Uribe said. "I've been there since December, working hard at improving my game. It's a really good school."

Uribe said that being in the United States has boosted her confidence on the golf course.

"When you're in a small country, you're not sure how good you are," Uribe said. "But since I started playing here all the time, I've started to believe in myself."

Uribe began playing golf when she was nine years old after being exposed to the sport by her father and older sister.

"I just love it," Uribe said. "I feel so good when I'm on the course. Attitude is everything in this game, so I like that. And you have to work really hard because it's tough."

Uribe, a rising high school senior, hopes to join the LPGA tour someday but isn't in a hurry just yet.

"I don't think I will be ready (for the LPGA) when I finish (high) school, so I'll just play college and try my best there, and hopefully I will make it," Uribe said. "It's definitely something I'm going to work hard for."

D ARMONAITIS, For the Herald-Journal
Published June 9, 2006