A talented teenage golfer has swung herself a place at a top US university.

Nicola Smith, who attends Highsted Grammar School, impressed staff at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey.

She has a handicap of just four, meaning the 18-year-old is among the best female golfers of her age in the country.

The teenager was awarded a scholarship to study history while taking advantage of the sports and athletics facilities.

Nicola, who lives in Sittingbourne, studied history, chemistry, biology and geography at A-level and also received outstanding GCSE results of 10 As and one A*.

She said: “There are so many things I can do with golf – maybe even teaching. I have been to Fairleigh Dickinson once so far, it had great indoor stuff for winter as well as outdoor facilities.”

She took up the sport aged 10 with a handicap of 43 after her father, who also plays, introduced her to it and now belongs to Sittingbourne and Milton Regis Golf Club.

She was offered a place in the South East England under-16 training squad in 2015, which is the first step on the road to joining the England team.

Head teacher Anne Kelly said: “I am delighted Nicola has secured a position at Fairleigh Dickinson University and I wish her every success in using this special opportunity to develop further her talents and achieve her potential.”

Nicola is in the Kent Ladies team and is playing in scratch golf tournaments.