Win, lose or draw on Sunday, Georgia Clarke’s first tournament as a professional golfer will be a memorable one.
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The 26-year-old will make her debut on the Australian Ladies Professional Golf Tour at the very course she began learning her craft.
Clarke was a student at Ballarat High School and took up golf during her time at Federation University, where she studied graphic design.
She now lives on the Gold Coast and turned professional just before Christmas.
Clarke said it was special to be able to play her first ALPG event at the Ballarat Golf Club.
“Really it’s the last three or four years where I’ve been really into it,” she told The Courier.
“It’s pretty nerve-wracking, but I’m so excited. The dream is finally there.
“It has been a lot of hard work, but it’s going to be awesome to tee it up here for my first event. It’s pretty sweet.”
Clarke is also thrilled to get the opportunity to play alongside friends as part of the pro-am style of event.
“I’m so excited to be playing with my mates, too. They sort of got me into it and now they get to see me tee it up for my first time as a professional,” she said.
“It’s pretty special. Not many people would be able to say they had that opportunity.”
Clarke was in Ballarat on Wednesday for the opening day of a rookie camp designed for first-year golfers on the ALPG Tour.
The event continues on Thursday before the inaugural ALPG Ballarat Icons Pro Am hits off on Sunday.
Clarke is one of 75 professionals in the field.
The event, which carries a prize purse of $25,000, is set to go ahead despite the forecast hot temperatures.
The tournament’s morning session will start from 7.30am, with the afternoon golfers to begin play from 12.30pm.
The full field of professionals, including headline player Laura Davies, is scheduled for a meet and greet function at the Ballarat Golf Club on Saturday evening.
