Facing a 4.5-hour drive from Miami to Tampa on sunny afternoon, I had a choice; I could drive now or find a game, play some golf and drive at night.

There was no choice, really. I called my friend Brian Symonds at Winston Trails Golf Club, a gem in Lake Worth, Fla., with a demanding, yet fair layout and some of the best greens around. After wishing Brian a happy birthday (thank you address book), I inquired about a game. He laughed and asked if I could be there in 35 minutes. I was to be playing with him on his birthday.

“Since it’s my birthday, can you do me a favor?” he said.

“Of course,” I said. “Anything but giving you strokes.”

“I’m not going to be able to play, but I’ve got a student looking for a game and was hoping you could play,” he said.

I was disappointed, but I agreed, and when I met him in the pro shop I began scanning for the poor guy who would be subject to my beat down. The place was empty except for this little blonde girl, though, who looked about 4-feet tall.

“Hi, I’m Chloe!” she said.

I looked down at the little girl. She had the biggest smile you’ve ever seen and was dressed in a perfect little golf outfit. She outstretched her hand to shake mine.

“I’m Brendan,” I said. “Nice to meet you, Chloe.”

A match suggests both sides have a chance. This was going to be babysitting, but, hey, it was golf and Brian’s birthday.

“How are you?” I asked. “I like your outfit.”

“Thank you, Mr. Ryan,” she said. “I’m so excited to play with you. Coach (Symonds) has told me a lot about you!”

I nodded. Brian handed me the keys to a cart.

“Chloe is prepping for tournaments,” Brian said. “So make sure you guys have a little competition.”

Just then, Chloe spoke up. “This is going to be fun! What game are we playing?”

“Do you know what match play is?” I asked. “Has Brian taught you that? It’s when…”.

Chloe cut me off with a simple, “Yup.”

By the fourth hole, I felt like the match was heading down the road of Stephen Ames vs. Tiger Woods in 2006. Ames talked a little trash before, and then Woods proceeded to crush him 10 & 8. And in this version of the story, call me Ames.

Chloe hit 11 greens, made four birdies and was 100 percent on up-and-downs and fairways hit. In one up-and-down, she showcased a Phil Mickelson flop shot that was nothing short of spectacular.

By No. 13 it was over. She had crushed me. Anyone who says it isn’t fun to lose has never lost to a competitor as tough, gracious and fun as Chloe. I fought valiantly and lost. On second thought, I didn’t lose; she beat me. End of story.

As we arrived at the clubhouse, Brian was standing with a big smile on his face.

“How was golf, everyone?” he asked.

“It was sooo fun!” Chloe exclaimed.

“It really, was,” I chimed in, shaking my head.

“The course was in good shape,” she told him. “I won.”

“It was over on 13,” I told him.

“And I played okay,” she added.

She played okay? Man, I just got beat by her “C” game. Chloe shook my hand. As she hustled off into the twilight with her golf bag over her shoulder she said, “Gotta go practice my pitching, before dark.”

“Pretty good, huh?” Brian smiled. He explained that Chloe has won more than 100 tournaments and was a finalist at the Drive, Chip & Putt Championships at Augusta National, starting April 2.

“And you didn’t warn me?” I said smiling

“What fun would that be?” he said, smiling back.

On April 2 I’ll be sitting in front of my television rooting for my new favorite golfer, Chloe Kovalevsky. Good luck, Chloe!