Julia Ford has a dream that’s been seven years in the making.

The Shrewsbury native and junior golf star, who will be teeing off for the University of Virginia in September, has had some variation of the dream since she started golfing in fifth grade.

It’s a dream that has involved more than a few nine-hour days, more travel than most adults, six-day practice weeks crammed between a normal high school schedule, and a golf-to-social life ratio that is heavy on the clubs.

Julia Ford wants to be a pro.

“I know only so many people can make a living off of it,’’ said Ford. “I know I need to improve. I know I’m not even close to reaching my potential. But I hope golf is always part of my life.’’

She pondered the question — how will golf be in your life in 10 years? — in between practice and preparation for the Big I Junior Golf Classic, while at Cyprian Keyes Golf Club in Boylston, her home course.

“I mean, I could be playing pro and be making no money at all, I’m not sure how that would go down with family after a few years,’’ she said. “But that’s the goal. To go pro.’’

Ford, like many aspiring junior golfers across New England, has been playing in competitive tournaments since she was in the seventh grade.

For years, she has spent summer, fall, winter, and spring on golf courses — playing, practicing, working, and meeting friends — partly because she loves the game and loves to compete, and partly because that’s what it takes to compete among the best.

“Sometimes golf comes first, sometimes friends come first,’’ said Ford. “I think I’ve been happy with so much golf because I have good time management skills. ... You always want a good balance.’’

While Ford’s journey has taken her to a spot on a major college team, Rebecca Skoler of Needham is still carving out her own path.

The 14-year-old rising ninth-grader has a clear affinity for the sport. She practices almost every day. One of her recent “off days’’ consisted of a return trip from California, where she attended a Stanford golf camp. Another recent day was full of golf-specific workouts.

She has a mini putting green in her room and has been pushing hard — so far unsuccessfully — to get a girls’ golf team going at her high school, The Windsor School, which she has attended since seventh grade.

An average school day looks something like this: Awake by 6 a.m., out the door and on the way to the train by 6:40, at school by 7:45, back on the train by 3, and home by 3:30 p.m., then on the course at Brae Burn Country Club in Newton by 3:50 until her parents pick her up at 6:30.

“I love [golf], I always want to get better because I love it,’’ she said. “It’s not something I have to do, it’s something I choose to do.’’

Skoler confirmed her passion to herself during the summer of 2014, when she fractured her leg at a ski and snowboard camp in Colorado. Unable to attend the US Kids Golf World Championship in North Carolina, or practice in general, she drove herself crazy.

“There are pictures of me trying to putt on one leg,’’ she said.

Skoler qualified and attended the Kids World Championship last year and will be going again this month.

Another Needham native, David Rogers, who will be attending Beaver Country Day School after a freshman year at The Rivers School, finds both enjoyment and practicality in his golfing exploits.

“I love the game, but it’s also something I can use to make my future better,’’ said Rogers. “It’s something that I think can help me get into a great school. The best school possible.’’

Rogers’s grandfather brought him to a driving range when he was 3 or 4, he recalled, and he’s loved golf since.

His summer has involved practicing, playing, and competing in tournaments almost every day. He finished tied for fifth in the New England Junior PGA Championship on July 8 and will be traveling to Ohio for a tournament hosted by the American Junior Golf Association.

A few towns over, in Brookline, is the official home of rising star and Brookline High School sophomore James Imai. The term “official’’ applies, because you couldn’t catch him if you tried.

Over the last year, Imai has played in tournaments in San Diego, Florida, Virginia, and North Carolina. Last month, the 15-year-old competed in a US Open sectional qualifier in Summit, N.J.

“I like the travel part of it. It’s what I want to do,’’ said Imai. “I don’t really worry about other stuff. There is social media and Snapchat, so every day and every night I’m in contact with my friends.’’

Because of recruiting regulations, colleges can’t officially visit Imai until his junior year. All they can do is send him a questionnaire.

He has plenty of questionnaires.

“No need to commit to anything yet,’’ said Imai, while prepping for a practice in San Diego. “I’m going to look at all the options, all the areas. I’m confident that I’ll find the right situation for me.’’

A few years down the road, when he does find the right situation, it’ll be in anticipation of a career destination.

“When I’m 25, hopefully I’ll be on the PGA tour. Maybe the Web.com Tour,’’ he said. “But playing professionally, that’s the bottom line.

Samuel Evers can be reached at samuel.evers@globe.com.