The year 2000 promises to be a good one for 13-year-old Ebonie Burgess.

Early signs, at least, indicate she will make progress towards her goal of becoming the Island's premier female golfer within the next few years.

In just three months, Ebonie has made her mark -- winning the first flight at the Bermuda Amateur Championships at Mid Ocean Club in March and more recently lifting the women's title at the Ocean View club championships.

In both instances, she brushed aside the challenge of older and more experienced players, although her win in the final at Mid Ocean was against fellow junior Stephanie Lewis.

Success at Ocean View came by way of a one-up victory over seasoned golfer Norriette Fox.

Next on the agenda for the promising teen is the Bermuda Amateur Strokeplay Championships at Port Royal in June and the Atlantic International Junior Championships in July, both of which she will ente for the first time.

The Whitney Institute student, who will move to Berkeley Institute in September, doesn't hide the fact that the sport has become her passion and her ultimate goal is to become a professional.

Her immediate target, however, is to reduce her 16 handicap.

"I'm making progress. I have a 16 handicap right now, but I am aiming to get that down to 12 by the end of the year by continuing to work harder,'' she said this week.

"I definitely want to become a professional and play on the LPGA Tour in the future, that's what I am striving to accomplish.'' Ebonie is currently working closely with assistant professional Quinn Talbot at Ocean View where the pair have been busy for over a year.

The youngster is fully aware of both her weaknesses and strengths, noting that her putting needs more work while driving remains one of her strengths.

She has been involved in golf from a young age and remembers how she became attracted to the sport at the tender age of five.

"Although I was very young at the time I recall my grandparents, Dennis and Aflreda Samuels, starting me off with golf lessons at Ocean View under the guidance of Mike Daniels and I have loved it ever since.

"I have played in several youth tournaments and now I feel that I am ready to play among the seniors. Just how well I will do, only time will tell.'' Having had the opportunity to play on all of the Island's courses, Burgess says she has no real favourite.

Besides entering more tournaments this summer, she hopes to attend a golf camp in the United States -- a step she feels could help reduce her current handicap.

Par excellence: Young Ebonie Burgess has won twice this year in local golf events and has her heart set on eventually turning pro.