Seventeen-year-old golfer Gianna Clemente will turn professional and compete for an LPGA tour card.

Clemente received a special waiver from the LPGA to compete in the final qualifying stage before turning 18.

The decorated amateur who lives in Estero has won more than 130 titles and was named the AJGA Player of the Year.

Gianna Clemente had just turned 5 when she played in her first tournament, a nine-hole U.S. Kids event. She had no idea at the time she was the only player in the 7-and-under division and was over the moon about the first-place medal.

A dozen years and more than 130 titles later, 17-year-old Clemente, who lives in Estero, has decided it’s time to make a living doing what she loves. Next month, she’ll compete as a professional in the final stage of LPGA Qualifying in Mo

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