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Rookie Squad

The Golf Australia rookie program comprises male and female golfers in the final six months of their amateur career until the end of their fifth year of professional golf.

The Golf Australia high performance program has been expanded to allow a number of young professionals to receive the levels of support that have previously been unachievable.

Successful applicants will each receive a rookie scholarship that is offered for a period of one year. Fully funded Golf Australia rookies will receive up to $AU100,000 in reimbursed funding to cover expenses.  Partial scholarships may also be offered.

2023 Rookie Squad

Blake Windred rookie squad_image

DOB: 03/12/1997 Club: The Australian GC Turned pro: 2019 Coach: Gary Barter Main tour: ISPS Handa Tour of Australasia, DP World Tour Social media: @BWindred

> Blake's world ranking and results.

About Blake

Blake turned professional soon after he shot a course-record 63 in the opening round of the 2019 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in China to lead for much of the tournament.

He rapidly rose to become one of Australia’s top two male amateurs and reached a high of No.9 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

Windred recorded his first-ever pro win, at the 2021 Victorian PGA Championship at Moonah Links, and later that same season came runner-up at the NSW Open and at the National PGA Classic.

Those impressive results contributed to him finishing second on the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit and he earned his DP World Tour card as a result.

Professional Wins

  • 2021 Victorian PGA, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia

Best Professional Results

  • 2 - 2022 NSW Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia

  • T2 - 2022 National PGA Classic, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia

  • T15 - 2022 Cape Town Open, Challenge Tour

  • 2 - 2021 Challenge de Espana, Challenge Tour

  • T12 - 2019 ISPS Handa Vic Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia/DP World Tour

  • T16 - 2019 Australian Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia

  • T3 - 2018 NSW Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia

  • T4 - 2017 NSW Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia

Amateur Wins

  • 2019 Avondale Amateur Championship

  • 2018 Avondale Amateur Championship

Elvis Smylie rookie squad_image

DOB: 23/04/02 Club: Southport GC Turned pro: 2021 Coach: Ian Triggs Main tour: ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia Social media: @elvis_emylie

> Elvis's world ranking and results.

About Elvis

Elvis truly arrived on the Australian golf scene in early 2021 when he produced a stunning weekend of back-to-back eight-under-par 63s at Rosebud Country Club to finish runner-up in The Player Series event. The left-hander is one of Australia’s most exciting prospects, having already claimed four amateur victories and 13 top-10 finishes, including twice winning the Keperra Bowl and dominating to win the Australian Junior crown. Suffered a debilitating back injury late in 2021 which curtailed his season on the European Tour, but is now fit and back playing the local tour in Australia with aspirations to travel abroad once more.

Best Professional Results

  • T2 - 2023 TPS Victoria, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia

  • T12 - 2022 Fortinet Australian PGA Championship, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia

  • T18 - 2022 Queensland PGA Championship, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia

  • T12 - 2021 Fortinet Australian PGA Championship, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia

  • 2 - 2021 TPS Victoria, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia (as amateur)

  • T24 - 2020 Isuzu Queensland Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia (as amateur)

  • T33 - 2019 Emirates Australian Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia (as amateur)

Amateur Wins

  • 2020 Keperra Bowl

  • 2020 Queensland Stroke Play Championship

  • 2019 Australian Boys’ Amateur

  • 2019 Keperra Bowl

Gabi Ruffels Rookie profile_image

DOB: 14/04/2000 Club: Victoria GC Turned pro: 2021 Coach: Grant Waite Main tour: Ladies European Tour, Epson Tour Social media: @GabiRuffels

> Gabi's world ranking and results.

About Gabi

Gabi Ruffels played on the Epson Tour in the US in 2022 after missing out on graduating from the Q Series for the LPGA Tour by a single shot late in 2021. She narrowly missed out on the season-end top-ten who gained LPGA cards and she is playing on the Ladies European Tour in 2023 to take on a new challenge.

Ruffels turned pro in 2021 despite not having LPGA Tour or Epson Tour status, on relied on invitations to play. Previously she was one of world golf's brightest amateur stars, ranked No.6 in the world.

In 2019, Ruffels became the first Australian to win the world’s most sought amateur prize, the US Women’s Amateur, and has since looked right at home in her limited opportunities on the LPGA Tour.

Remarkably, Ruffels already has two top-15 finishes in major championships and she will look to capitalise on her full tour status in 2022 where the top 10 on the money list graduate to the LPGA.

Best Professional Results

  • 4 - 2023 Magical Kenya Ladies Open, Ladies European Tour

  • 3 - 2022 Carolina Golf Classic, Epson Tour

  • 4 - 2021 IOA Championship, Epson Tour

  • T13 - 2020 US Women’s Open, LPGA Tour (as amateur)

  • T15 - 2020 Ana Inspiration, LPGA Tour (as amateur)

  • T5 - 2020 Symetra Tour Championship, Futures Tour (as amateur)

Amateur Wins

  • 2020 Rebel Beach Intercollegiate

  • 2019 US Women’s Amateur

  • 2019 North and South Women’s Amateur

  • 2018 Windy City Collegiate Championship

Kim Rookie Squad_image

DOB: 13/12/2000 Club: Avondale GC Turned pro: 2021 Coach: Khan Pullen Main tour: LPGA Tour, WPGA Tour of Australasia Social media: @gracekimmey

> Grace's world ranking and results.

About Grace

Grace Kim is one of Australia’s brightest young talents and she is the country's most recent graduate to the LPGA Tour after coming in the top-ten of the Epson Tour's season-ending standings in 2022.

Kim registered her first win as a professional at the Epson Tour's IOA Golf Classic last year and upon returning home to Australia for the 2022/23 summer, she came fourth at the ISPS Handa Australian Open.

As an amateur she was national champion at both junior and senior level and won a Youth Olympic Gold Medal. Turning pro at the end of 2021, she made an immediate impact in contending for the inaugural WPGA Championship before finishing runner-up. Also was runner-up at The Athena in February.

Professional Wins

2022 IOA Golf Classic, Epson Tour

2021 Oscar Williams Classic, Women’s All Pro Tour, USA (as an amateur)

2021 Sun City Championship, Cactus Tour, USA (as an amateur)

Best Professional Results

  • 4 - 2022 ISPS Handa Australian Open, WPGA Tour of Australasia

  • T3 - 2022 Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic, Epson Tour

  • T3 - 2022 Firekeepers Casino Hotel Championship, Epson Tour

  • 2 - 2021 WPGA Championship, WPGA Tour of Australasia

  • 2 - 2022 The Athena, WPGA Tour of Australasia

  • T4 - 2022 TPS Murray River, WPGA Tour of Australasia

  • T10 - 2022 Drummond Golf Melbourne International, WPGA Tour of Australasia

Amateur Wins

  • 2021 Australian Amateur

  • 2020, 2021 NSW Amateur

  • 2018 Youth Olympic Gold medal

  • 2017 Tasmanian Amateur

  • 2017 South Australian Amateur

  • 2017 Australian Junior Amateur

Karrie Webb Scholarship 2016-19

Jack Thompson Rookie profile_image

DOB: 06/02/1998 Club: The Grange GC Turned pro: 2021 Coach: Adrian Wickstein Main tour: Asian Tour, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia Social media: @JackJohn98

> Jack's world ranking and results.

About Jack

Jack burst on to the Australian golfing scene with a second-place finish at the 2020 Isuzu Queensland Open as an amateur. The 23-year-old South Australian reached a high of World No.31 in the WAGR rankings. Prior to turning pro, the South Australian recorded a course record 65 at Kooyonga in the 2021 Australian Amateur Championship.

He won his first tournament as a pro at the Gippsland Super 6 in December 2021 and he won Asian Tour qualifying in early 2023 to earn his card.

Professional Wins

2021 Gippsland Super 6, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia

Best Professional Results

  • T5 - 2022 Victorian PGA Championship, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia

  • T7 - 2021 Victorian PGA Championship, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia

  • T12 - 2021 Fortinet Australian PGA Championship, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia

  • 2nd - 2020 Isuzu Queensland Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia (as amateur)

  • T13 – 2020 NT PGA Championship, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia (as amateur)

  • T23 - 2019 Japan Open Golf Championship, Japan Tour (as amateur)

Amateur wins

  • 2018 Riversdale Cup

Morgan Rookie Squad_image

DOB: 30/11/1999  Club: Royal Queensland GC Turned pro: 2021 Coach: Grant Field Main tour: DP World Tour, ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia Social media: @jediahmorgan_golf

> Jed's world ranking and results.

About Jed

Created history in just his second start as a professional last December by winning the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship at his home club, Royal Queensland, by a record 11 shots. The Brisbane product had previously won an Australian Amateur Championship in 2020 at the same venue as part of a fine amateur career. That victory helped him take out the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit which gave him a start at the US Open and The Open last year. It also gave him a DP World Tour card for this year.

Another Grant Field protégé who has already travelled and stayed with Cameron Smith to learn the ins and outs of pro golf life.

Professional Wins

2021 Fortinet Australian PGA Championship, ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia

Best Professional Results

  • T7 - 2020 Vic Open, ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia/DP World Tour (as amateur)

  • 7 - 2020 NT PGA Championship, ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia (as amateur)

Amateur Wins

  • 2020 Australian Men's Amateur Championship

  • 2017 NT Amateur

Dobbelaar Rookie Squad_image

DOB: 31/8/2001  Club: Brookwater GC Turned pro: 2021 Coach: Grant Field Main tour: Challenge Tour, PGA Tour Lationamerica, ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia Social media: @louisdobbelaar

> Louis’ world ranking and results.

About Louis

Dobbelaar secured two big triumphs in 2021 in America at the North And South Amateur and the Dogwood Invitational, having previously won the Australian Amateur and multiple state amateur championships. Secured playing rights to play in Latin America in 2021-22 and will head to Europe during 2023 seeking further opportunities. A graduate of the outstanding Grant Field school featuring Cameron Smith, who hosted him in Jacksonville for mentoring sessions.

Best Professional Results

  • 3rd - 2022 Fortinet Australian PGA Championship, ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia

  • T3 - 2021 TPS Sydney, ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia

  • 3rd - 2021 Queensland PGA Championship, ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia

Amateur Wins

  • 2021 Australian Amateur

  • 2021 North and South Amateur (US)

  • 2021 Dogwood Invitational (US)

  • 2020 Tasmanian Amateur

  • 2020 Queensland Amateur

  • 2019 & 2018 Port Phillip Amateur

  • 2018 Queensland Stroke Play

  • 2018 Queensland Amateur

  • 2017 Jack Newton International

  • 2016 New Zealand Amateur

Steph kyriacou rookie squad_image

DOB: 22/11/2000 Club: St Michael's GC Turned pro: 2020 Coach: Gary Barter Main tour: LPGA Tour and WPGA Tour of Australasia Social media: @stephkyriacou2

> Steph's world ranking and results.

About Steph

Steph has had a rapid rise to fame in which she was Ladies European Tour Rookie of the Year in 2020, followed up with a top-three on the LET points list in 2021. Passed through the gruelling eight-round Q-series in Florida to secure her card to play on the LPGA Tour for the first time in 2022.

In her first season on the premier tour Kyriacou impressed at the majors with a tied seventh finish at the AIG Women's Open and a tied 10th result at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship.

She had a remarkable 2020 with six top-5 finishes on the Ladies European Tour earning her Rookie of the Year. Her year began with one of the most incredible golfing stories in recent memory, when she shocked the world in dominating the LET-sanctioned Australian Ladies Classic at Bonville near Coffs Harbour. The eight-shot win punched her ticket to the LET and she turned pro soon afterwards.

Before turning pro, Kyriacou routinely challenged at amateur events across the country and led NSW to back-to-back Interstate Series titles in 2018 and 2019.

Professional Wins

  • 2021 Big Green Egg Open, LET Tour

  • 2020 Australian Ladies Classic Bonville (as an amateur), LET Tour

Best Professional Results

  • T7 - 2022 AIG Women's Open, LPGA Tour/LET Tour

  • T10 - 2022 KPMG Women's PGA Championship, LPGA Tour

  • 4 - 2021 Ladies Italian Open, LET Tour

  • 5 - 2021 Open de Espana, LET Tour

  • T13 - 2021 AIG Women's Open, LPGA Tour/LET Tour

  • 2 - 2020 VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open, LET Tour

  • T2 - 2020 The Saudi Ladies Team International (Individual), LET Tour

  • T4 - 2020 The Saudi Ladies International, LET Tour

  • 5 - 2020 Lacoste Ladies Open De France, LET Tour

  • T17 - 2020 Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic, LET Tour

Amateur Wins

  • 2019 Australian Master of the Amateurs

  • 2019 Queensland Amateur

Cassie Porter rookie squad_image

DOB: 14/09/2002 Club: Peregian Springs GC Turned pro: 2021 Coach: Dan Morrison Main tour: Epson Tour and WPGA Tour of Australasia Social media: @cassie_porter_

> Cassie's world ranking and results.

About Cassie

Cassie turned professional in December 2021 after a promising amateur career that included a win at the Keperra Bowl that same year.

She also represented Australia as an amateur and in January 2023 registered her first win as a professional by prevailing over her best friend Kelsey Bennett in a thrilling four hole playoff at the Drummond Golf Melbourne International.

Cassie will head to the United States this year to try play her way onto the LPGA Tour via the Epson Tour.

Professional Wins

2023 Drummond Golf Melbourne International, WPGA Tour of Australasia

Best Professional Results

  • T11 - 2022 ISPS Handa Australian Open, WPGA Tour of Australasia

  • T8 - 2022 Four Winds Invitational, Epson Tour

  • T4 - 2022 Vic Open, WPGA Tour of Australasia

Amateur Wins

2021 Keperra Bowl

Hayden Hopewell Rookie Squad_image

DOB: 26/11/2001 Club: Royal Fremantle GC Turned pro: 2022 Coach: Ritchie Smith Main tour: ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia, Challenge Tour Social media: @haydenhopewell

> Hayden's world ranking and results.

About Hayden

Hayden turned professional ahead of the 2022 Fortinet Australian PGA Championship after a stellar amateur career where he represented Australia and Western Australia. He made waves in Australian golf during the summer of 2021/22 when he finished runner-up twice on the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia while he was still an amateur.

Hayden has already won a professional event - the 2020 WA Open which he won as an amateur - and he will head to Europe in 2023 to play the Challenge Tour.

Professional Wins

2020 WA Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia (as an amateur)

Best Professional Results

  • T2 - 2022 TPS Murray River, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia (as an amateur)

  • 2 - 2022 WA Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia (as an amateur)

  • T10 - 2022 ISPS Hanada Australian Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia

Amateur Wins

2021 North Shore Classic

Kirsten Rudgeley Rookie Squad_image

Age: 21 Club: Mount Lawley GC Turned pro: 2022 Coach: Craig Bishop Main tour: Ladies European Tour, WPGA Tour of Australasia Social media: @kirstenrudgeleygolf

> Kirsten's world ranking and results.

About Kirsten

Kirsten turned professional ahead of the 2022 ISPS Handa Australian Open after holding the mantle as Australia's top ranked amateur. She represented Australia, won tournaments overseas, competed in the Augusta National Women's Amateur and earned a maiden major championship start at the 2021 AIG Women's Open during her amateur days.

Only weeks after turning professional, Kirsten earned her Ladies European Tour card at Qualifying School and that is where she will ply her trade in 2023.

Best Professional Results

  • T7 - 2022 Vic Open, WPGA Tour of Australasia (as an amateur)

  • 7 - 2022 Australian WPGA Championship, WPGA Tour of Australasia (as an amateur)

Amateur Wins

  • 2022 Avondale Amateur

  • 2021 English Women's Amateur

  • 2021 Helen Holm Scottish Women's Open Championship

  • 2021 North Shore Classic

  • 2021 Rene Erichsen Salver

Connor McKinney Rookie Squad_image

DOB: 29/1/2002 Club: Joondalup CC Turned pro: 2022 Coach: David Milne Main tour: ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia, Challenge Tour Social media: @connormckinney__

> Connor's world ranking and results.

About Connor

Connor turned professional ahead of the 2022 Fortinet Australian PGA Championship after a dominant amateur year that included victories at the Australian Amateur and the St Andrews Links Trophy.

He represented Australia in international competition and will spend more time overseas now that he will play the Challenge Tour in Europe.

Best Professional Results

  • T5 - 2021 WA PGA Championship, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia (as an amateur)

  • T9 - 2021 WA Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia (as an amateur)

Amateur Wins

  • 2022 Australian Amateur

  • 2022 St Andrews Links Trophy

  • 2022 South Australia Amateur Classic

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