If you haven’t heard of Cassie Porter, we guarantee you will this year.
The 16-year-old has been making strides on the golfing circuit for years with a filling trophy cabinet as proof.
And after successfully defending her NT Amateur title last week and a producing a record 15 top-five finishes in 2018, the Peregian Springs member will be in top form as she heads to Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Club for the Australian Girls’ Championship starting tomorrow.
“It’s nice going into this week with good form and it gives me a little bit of confidence,” said the Queensland Academy of Sport athlete.
“I was really happy to defend my title (in Alice Springs). I didn’t stress too much about defending and let the outcome be the outcome. I ended up being the winner so that was pretty cool.”
With a slew of top-five finishes and twice having been leading amateur in professional events (NSW Women's Open and Canberra Classic) in the past three months, Porter admits it can be hard to balance a burgeoning golf career and life as a Year 11 student.
“I haven’t been home much in the last three months and have only been at school for three weeks,” she said with a chuckle.
“But I enjoy playing tournaments pretty close together because it’s easier to keep the form going.
“This is my first time seeing the course. I have heard Coolangatta is really good and I’m looking forward to carrying my form over into the next two weeks.”
From a 10-over-par T41 performance in her first #AusJnr in 2016, to outright third and five under last year in Western Australia, Porter recognises how far she has come in that time.
“I have improved a lot mentally,” she said.
“My mental game has gotten a lot stronger and I’ve gotten a bit bigger as well.
“I’m more accurate into greens, my putting is stronger and I can feel the changes in my game.”
Porter is also excited to representing Queensland at the Australian Junior Interstate Teams Matches next week in Toowoomba, but says she is only trying to focus on her game this week – and maybe watch out for one of her fiercest rivals, defending champion Maddison Hinson-Tolchard.
The West Australian gun will be another player to watch in the 98-woman field.
Play begins at 7am (AEST) on Wednesday with live scoring available here.