First held as a one-day competition last year, the upcoming event is scheduled for January 26 and 27.

In further good news, a rookie camp – to run between January 21 and 25 – and an ALPG qualifying event on January 24 and 25 will serve as lead-ups to the Saturday-Sunday competition.

Last year’s line-up included high profile names such as former world number one Laura Davies and Dame Stacey Peters.

The Ballarat Golf Club is looking to increase the prizemoney on offer in 2019 and is currently seeking sponsors to support the event.

“Off the back of a successful event in January, we are anticipating a warm response from amateur competitors around the region,” Ballarat Golf Club general Manager Ashley Bennett said.

“As it is the only ALPG pro-am in the state outside of the Oates Vic Open, it is a great opportunity for amateurs to play alongside some top names right here in our back yard.”

Bennett said it shaped as an exciting week of golf for Ballarat in January next year.

“As a club, we are working to strengthen gender equality and we believe this event will go a long way to foster a culture more supportive of women’s events and in particular highlighting the level of skill in women’s golf in this country,” she said.

ALPG chief executive officer Karen Lunn is positive about the event and relationship the governing body has established with the Ballarat Golf Club.

“As Victoria’s third largest city, Ballarat has a strong and enthusiastic golfing community and Ballarat Golf Club is the region’s premier golf course with all of the facilities we would look for and more in a tournament venue,” Lunn said.

“For the first time in our history, ALPG will be holding a qualifying tournament for our 2019 Tour and this also will be held at Ballarat Golf Club in the lead-up to the pro-am, along with ALPG's Next Generation Club Rookie Camp, which Ballarat Golf Club hosted so successfully earlier this year.

“The date of the pro-am, which will lead directly into our major tournament season, will once again ensure a high-quality field with a strong international flavour, and will include some of the biggest names in women’s professional golf here in Australia.”

China’s Xi Yu Lin won this year’s inaugural event in Ballarat following a play-off against Lydia Hall from Wales.