A start in three of the world’s biggest golf events. That’s the carrot dangling in front of six Australians who will contest the inaugural Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific golf championships early next year.
The squad will compete at Sentosa's New Tanjong golf course in Singapore from the 21st-24th February with the winner receiving an invitation to next year’s HSBC Women’s Champions, the ANA Inspiration and the Ricoh British Women’s Open.
Australia’s top ranked player Kirsty Hodgkins, fellow Queenslander Robyn Choi and Grace Kim from NSW were automatic selections based on their world rankings. They will be joined by Victorian’s Julienne Soo and Alizza Hetherington as well as Queenslander Becky Kay who were nominated as Golf Australia picks.
South Australian professional Sarah King and Golf Australia’s Female Pathway Manager Stacey Peters will travel with the team as coach and manager.
17-year-old Hetherington was excited by the opportunity to pit her talents against the world’s best.
"I’m stoked to have been selected alongside these girls," she said.
"I’ve always admired and looked up to them as players and can’t wait to compete and see where my game stands at this point."
Kay, an experienced member of Australian teams, said the group were aiming high.
"I’m so excited to represent my country again, it’s always such an honour," she said.
"We have such a talented group of girls so hopefully we can take away some silverware."
The men’s equivalent, the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, has run since 2009 and provided Australian players Antonio Murdaca and Curtis Luck recent starts at the US Masters.