The Ballarat Golf Australian Ladies Professional Golf pro-am will have a strong international flavour to it when it begins on January 28.
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More than 30 players from a number of countries around the globe will make up the 75-woman field.
Among the ones to watch will be Louisiana’s Alexis Belton, who will be worth watching off the tee with her longest drive being 318 metres.
Brooke Marie Baker, from Oklahoma, turned pro in 2013 and is sure to be one of the better credentialed players on the course..
New Zealand’s Cathryn Bristow is another.
The 33-year-old is currently third on the ALPG’s Order of Merit.
Manon de Roey (Belgium), Tonje Daffinrud (Norway), Lili Cammisa (Argentina) and Chloe Leurquiny (Brazil) underline the variety of nations in the field.
Part of the attraction is the fact points won from this tournament will go towards the ALPG Order of Merit which will help entrants qualify for big-name events like the Oates Vic Open, Canberra Classic, Women’s Australian Open, Australian Ladies Classic and Women’s New South Wales Open.
Ballarat Golf Club general manager Michael Phillips was rapt to see the number of international entrants as well as the expected strong field of Australian talent.
“We’re really happy with the quality of the field that we’ve got, we didn’t expect the international field that we’ve got – which is fantastic,” Phillips said.
“It’s been really well-received within that environment, so that’s really good for us, it’s fantastic.”
The only Ballarat player to of entered the event is Ballarat Golf Club pro Angela Tatt.
Having played on the women’s circuit previously, Tatt has been on the road to recovery after a poor run with injury – she will fly the local flag.
While Elissa Orr is one of the favourites from an Australian point of view.
The 26-year-old from Melbourne is expected to be the best chance for the home nation.
While Whitney Hillier has also shown her ability to play well on the big stage, finishing equal sixth at last year’s Oates Vic Open.
We’re really happy with the quality of the field that we’ve got, we didn’t expect the international field that we’ve got – which is fantastic.
- Ballarat Golf Club general manager Michael Phillips