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Freshly minted New South Wales' professional Travis Smyth is setting his sights sky-high in more ways than one.
The 23-year-old Top Gun from Shellharbour NSW, who is in his rookie year on the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia, has decided to try his luck playing a couple of Adams Tour events in the US, combined with a couple of Monday qualifiers for the web.com tour.
But before Jetting off last week, Smyth sampled a different type of the ‘high life’ courtesy of a joy flight from a good friend, pilot Neale Muston, in a high-performance L39 Albatros jet fighter trainer.
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The Czech designed Albatros, the most widely used jet fighter trainer in the world, is capable of reaching speeds of around 750 km/h and withstanding G forces between +8 and -4G.
It's an experience Smyth isn’t going to forget in a hurry.
“I have never experienced something like this before, and it was way outside of my comfort zone.
Despite the severe levels of G-forces and the stomach-churning manoeuvres Munston put the aircraft through, Smyth said he would do it again anytime despite needing a little help from an airsickness bag.
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“It was amazing. The G-forces were something like I’ve never felt before. I had to hyperventilate so I didn’t pass out.
“I usually enjoy the feeling of the plane dropping when flying with Qantas but in the jet, it was too much for me.
“I had to puke after about 20 minutes.
“It was an awesome experience. 100% I would do it again,” Smyth grinned.
With things a little quiet on the Australian Tour, Trav and his coach John Serhan decided it was time to get some professional playing experience in the United States under his belt.
“We decided to invest some time playing a bit of professional golf in the US ahead of the Web.Com qualifiers at the end of the year.
“I’ve played lots of amateur stuff here, so my first pro event will be fun,” Smyth said.
Smyth made his first start yesterday in the Northwest Mississippi Classic, and after two rounds he sits at one under par in a tie for 33rd. He’s pleased with his position, despite the conditions.
“The greens are baked and slippery and hard to read. I missed a few putts inside six feet, but with this being my first time (here) I didn’t know what to expect.
“A four club wind came up in the second round, but thankfully I was in the early starters and got the better scoring conditions.
“My game’s in a good place at the moment, and I’m happy with how I’m playing.
“If I play good, I know I’ll be fine as I know with my best golf I can mix it anywhere in the world,” Smyth smiled.