Clarissa Burhan is looking forward to spending a lot of time in the sand when she heads off to college this fall. But, the Clark High School senior golfer is hoping it’s not the sand in the bunkers on the golf course. See, Burhan is heading home to the sandy beaches of Hawaii for her college playing career. –by Bill Bowman, Las Vegas Golf Insider staff.

Burhan will be teeing it up in the sun and surf–and, yes, probably a few bunkers–at Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu, HI.

What makes this match perfect is the fact Burhan was born in Hawaii.

“This couldn’t have worked out much better,” she said. “It’s really going to be nice. I was just born there and we moved away when I was three. I’ve visited many times so it’s going to be good to go back.”

While there will likely be plenty of time on the beach and the golf course, Burhan knows it won’t be all fun and games.

She’s planning to major in electrical engineering.

Hmm, didn’t see that one coming did you? Let Burhan explain.

“I’ve always been interested in engineering ever since middle school,” she said. “I’m pretty passionate about math and science. That’s why I went to a magnet school.”

She also knows that, unlike a round of golf, her success in engineering won’t be seen right away.

“I enjoy the process of working on something really hard for a long period of time and seeing a great outcome,” she said. “It just shows that hard work can pay off…even if it takes awhile to see that success.”

She has big dreams for her goals in life.

“I’m really hoping to work for a really good company,” she said. “I don’t know if it will be for Tesla or Boeing or even a small startup. There’s just so many opportunities out there…I just want to work hard to give myself the best chance to succeed.”

And she’s positive that success will always include golf.

“Junior golf and the SNJGA really got me going,” she said. “I didn’t really get into golf until my freshman year. But getting to play with all of the other great golfers really pushed me to improve. It also made me a better person and taught me many skills I use daily in life.”

She’s still learning on the golf course and adds the swing isn’t the only part of the game that needs constant attention.

“The hardest part for me is the mental part of the game” she said. “I’m working to keep it as consistent as I can. You have good shots and bad shots. You have good rounds and bad rounds. It’s just a matter of making sure to keep everything on the same level as much as possible.”

Now it’s time to take her game and life back to Hawaii.

“I have family there and know the city and the island pretty well,” she said. “It’s also a great place to play golf. Everything’s worked out pretty well. I’m really excited to see what comes next.”