Ella at the Wagga Wagga Junior Masters with her Girls’ 14yrs Scratch Championship title. (Photo: Jack Newton Junior Golf)

Western Region Academy of Sport (WRAS) golfer Ella Murray is preparing for the tournament of a life time, as Dubbo is set to host the 2020 Women’s NSW Golf Open.

In a tournament that shapes as a qualification event for the Professional European Golf Tour, Murray at just 14 years old will have the chance to rub shoulders with some of the best golfers in the world.

She says the chance to tee off alongside 150 of Australia’s and the world’s best golfers is an opportunity you do not get every day.

“Look it is a little nerve racking but I am excited, it’s not every day you get to experience this sort of event and meet all these new people,

“I can’t wait to get out there and see what I can learn about how the pros approach the game, and how my caddy Craig Mears can help me as well.”

Ella teeing off during her 2019 State Championships

The connection with Mears dates back to when she first fell into the sport as a nine year old, joining her brother in golf lessons with Mears, after seeing a local WRAS advertisement about the golf team.

Since then the Dubbo native has not looked back joining WRAS in 2018, she has grown immensely especially with the help of the Jack Newton Junior Golf Program (JNJGP).

“Getting to the championships would not be possible without my coaches, Craig Mears and Bruce Mclean, and all the support I have got from the JNJG program,

 

“All of their coaching and support I have received from [JNJG] them being in the NSW junior development squad, alongside WRAS has been a massive support.” Murray said.

But she is no stranger to big tournaments, previously featuring in the Australian Junior Championships and the JNJG International where she won the sub junior division.

With the tournament set to be played on her home course Dubbo Golf Club, Murray says she is most excited about playing in front of family and friends.

“It’s funny you get accustom to not playing in front of your loved ones, but I’m pretty lucky to play the Open at my home course,

“I don’t know many of the professional golfers who are playing, but I have a chance to play alongside a few of my friends who I played with in junior tournaments,

“Plus it’s always exciting getting to compete in front of mum, dad and grandma, they have always been there for me so I’m pretty excited.”

The four day 2020 Women’s NSW Golf Open event kicks off today at the Dubbo Golf Club and you can check out all the action by clicking here.