IT will be business as usual when Blake Windred walks onto the first tee at the West Australian PGA in Kalgoorlie - only this time the Novocastrian will be playing for a living.
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After a stellar amateur career, where he climbed into the world top 10, Windred will play his maiden professional tournament, starting Thursday.
"I have worked very hard for this moment - to turn professional," Windred said. "This time last year when everyone was asking me if I was turning pro, it sounded very weird. I feel like I have been preparing like a professional and am quite comfortable with it now.
"I know I'm good enough, it's about playing good golf and executing what I train for every day. I'm stoked to have received an invite for this event.
"It is not even about the money. It's about trying to get a tour card because I'm really starting from the bottom again. My goal is to finish high enough to secure my card. I will possibly have three events. If I have a good tournament this week, finish top 10, I get into the Vic PGA."
Although only changing status this week, Windred, 22, has plenty of experience in professional tournaments.
He finished 12th in the $1.5million Victorian Open in February, which followed third place at the NSW Open and eighth at the Queensland Open at the start of the summer. He was the leading amateur in all three.
Had he been a professional, the $22,550 prizemoney for the Vic Open would have him sitting in 32nd spot on the Order or Merit. The top 60 retain their card. Darren Quayle has earned $9,741 to sit in 60th spot with six events remaining.
"Fingers crossed I get into the NSW and Australian Open and make the most of it," said Windred, who will also travel to Spain in November for the second stage of European Tour School. "I'm just pumped to be starting my professional career."
Windred will be joined in Kalgoorlie by fellow Novcastrians James Nitties, Cal O'Reilly and Aaron Townsend.
* Newcastle young gun Brij Ingrey bounced back from a disappointing result at the Jack Newton International Sub Junior Classic to win the prestigious Kensington Cup at The Australian on Sunday.
The 14-year-old carded a pair of 75s off the black tees at the championship course to beat fellow teenager Jeffrey Guan by five shots.
Ingrey finished 10th in the 14-years division at Crowne Plaza.
There were a number of solid performances by Hunter juniors in the junior (15-17 years) and sub junior (10-14 years)
Hamish Ellison (77,71,74,72) and Caleb Bromley (73,70,72,79) finished tied for 19th overall at six-over. Ellison's performance was enough to be runner-up in the 16-years division. Jacob Dundas (73,73,76,80) was tied for seventh in the 15-years boys. In the sub juniors, Jake Riley (69,77,74,72) was tied for sixth overall and Harry Atkinson (74,67,77,84) was fourth in the 13-years boys.
Dundas, Riley and Josh Fuller are playing in the Junior 6s Invitational which finishes at Cronulla on Tuesday.
* The Hunter also has a strong contingent playing at the Fayde Junior Match Play at Mount Broughton on Thursday and Friday.
The event draws the top eight players in each age division. Josh Fuller (17s), Harry Cleare (Nelson Bay), Max Duffy-Smith (16s), Jacob Dundas (15s), Jake Riley, Brij Ingrey (14s) and Harry Atkinson (13s) are in the boys divisions. Jasmine Vespers in the 14-15 years girls.
The event
* Former Branxton champion Mark Hale had a win over his nephew and rising star Corey Lamb at the Mudgee Open. Hale finished the 36 hole championship at at one-over, a stroke clear of the 18-year-old Lamb.
* Jarrad Santi and Andrew Evans each fired six-under 65 to be joint winners of the Waratah Pro-am on Saturday.
The pair finished a stroke ahead of Thomas Punnett, with Brody Martin and Aaron Townsend equal fourth at four-under.
