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.
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR THE 2023 GOLF AUSTRALIA ROOKIE PROGRAM!
Applications close on 5th January 2023 at 5pm AEDT.
Producing golfers who are capable of winning major championships, Olympic medals and top-100 world ranking positions are the most effective means to boost participation and attract funding to golf in Australia, because of the publicity such success attracts. If our athletes can reach their full potential, we believe Australia will enjoy continued and sustained success on the world stage.
As high performance is the face of participation, the growth of the game from grassroots to the professional level is the driving influence behind a national program.
There are essentially two funding streams with which the scholarship will assist:
1. Training and preparation
This is to support players with coaching, strength and conditioning, biomechanics, sports psychology, physiotherapy, nutrition, etc.
Through the rookie program, Golf Australia will pay the agreed costs which are part of the player’s annual plan with no requirement for them to repay any of those costs. Players may use their own service team or seek Golf Australia’s support in setting up their preferred service providers.
2. Competition and travel
This is to support the player’s competition and travel expenses that can include but not limited to: airfares, accommodation, entry fees, caddie fees, etc. Through the rookie program, Golf Australia will pay the agreed costs which are part of the player’s annual plan.
The criteria for consideration in Golf Australia's rookie squad are as follows:
Be an Australian citizen
Have a successful amateur record at national and international level
Be in the final six months of their amateur golf careers
Have turned professional within the past five years
Have in place a team of service providers
Be hard working and highly self-motivated to achieve their objectives
Submit a full business plan (see application)
Exceptional time management and organisational skills
Competing on a recognised professional golf tour (Tours include but are not limited to USPGA, LPGA, European Tour, Ladies European Tour, web.com Tour, JLPGA, Asian Tour, Japan Tour, Symetra Tour, PGA Tour China, Canada & Latin America, Australasian Tour, ALPG Tour)
Submit a GA rookie squad application form by the due date
Must have successfully completed High School or be in the process of completing High School
Golf Australia Rookie Squad members are expected to:
Abide by the Golf Australia athlete “Code of Ethics” and by such codes of their professional organisations/tours
Abide by the Golf Australia rookie contract
During the selection and renewal process for a Golf Australia rookie scholarship, the following criteria will be taken into consideration by the Golf Australia selection committee:
Results
World ranking
Tour status/pathway
Statistics
Playing evaluation
Athlete development processes
Organisation/management/life skills
Is the athlete tracking towards program objectives?
2022 Rookie Squad
Blake Windred • NSW
DOB: 03/12/1997 Club: The Australian GC Turned pro: 2019 Coach: Gary Barter Main tour: ISPS Handa Tour of Australasia, Challenge 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.
Since turning pro, Windred has notched top-10 finishes at the Victorian and WA PGA Championships and an impressive T16 result at the Australian Open at his home club in Sydney and in December he recorded his first-ever pro win, at the Victorian PGA Championship at Moonah Links.
Professional Wins
2021 Victorian PGA, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia
Best Professional Results
T15 - 2022 Cape Town Open, Challenge Tour
2 - 2021 Challenge de Espana, Challenge Tour
T22 - 2020 ISPS Handa Vic Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia/European Tour
T12 - 2019 ISPS Handa Vic Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia/European 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
Dylan Perry • QLD
DOB: 02/03/1995 Club: Sanctuary Cove GC Turned pro: 2019 Coach: Grant Field Main tour: Japan Tour, ISPS Handa Tour of Australasia Social media: @DylanPerryGolf
> Dylan's world ranking and results.
About Dylan
Dylan’s successful amateur career began in New South Wales and finished in Queensland, but his highlight came off short with a runner-up finish at the 2017 British Amateur. Dylan turned pro soon after representing Australia at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in October 2018. He earned status on the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia for 2019 by winning Q-School before he also picking up a Japan Tour card through qualifying school. Ranked 66th on the Japanese Tour in 2021 and returning to Asia for 2022.
Best Professional Results
T22 - 2021 Fortinet Australian PGA Championship, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia
T13 - 2021 ANA Championship, Japan Tour
T16 - 2020 Isuzu Queensland Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia
T3 - 2019 HEIWA PGM Championship, Japan Tour
T8 - 2019 Token Homemate Cup, Japan Tour
T14 - 2019 Mizuno Open, Japan Tour
T3 - 2018 NSW Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia
Amateur Wins
2017 Riversdale Cup
2016 Victorian Amateur Championship
2016 Queensland Amateur Championship
Elvis Smylie • QLD
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
T12 - 2021 Fortinet Australian PGA Championship, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia
T18 - 2022 Queensland PGA Championship, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia
2nd - 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 • VIC
DOB: 14/04/2000 Club: Victoria GC Turned pro: 2021 Coach: Grant Waite Main tour: Epson Tour Social media: @GabiRuffels
> Gabi's world ranking and results.
About Gabi
Gabi Ruffels is set to play on the Epson Tour (formerly Symetra 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 turned pro in 2021 despite not having LPGA Tour of Symetra 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 - 2021 IOA Championship, Symetra 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
Grace Kim • NSW
DOB: 13/12/2000 Club: Avondale GC Turned pro: 2021 Coach: Khan Pullen Main tour: Epson 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. 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 as she prepares to head to the US in 2022 to play on the Epson Tour.
Professional Wins
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
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 • SA
DOB: 06/02/1998 Club: The Grange GC Turned pro: 2021 Coach: Adrian Wickstein Main 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, setting himself up for a bright future.
Professional Wins
2021 Gippsland Super 6, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia
Best Professional Results
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
Jed Morgan • QLD
DOB: 30/11/1999 Club: Royal Queensland GC Turned pro: 2021 Coach: Grant Field Main 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. The PGA win sets up a likely career in Europe in the medium-term, with three starts guaranteed for 2022-23 and most likely a full card as a top-three Order of Merit finisher. 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
Karis Davidson • QLD
DOB: 07/07/1998 Club: Sanctuary Cove Turned pro: 2017 Coach: Ian Triggs Main tour: LPGA Tour, WPGA Tour of Australasia
> Karis's world ranking and results.
About Karis
A rising star of Australian golf who has qualified to play on the main LPGA Tour in the US and around the world in 2022 for the first time. Spent the previous four years playing in Japan on one of the world's most competitive women's circuits. Karis was close to breaking her professional duck on home soil at the 2018 ISPS Handa Vic Open, where she finished runner-up to Minjee Lee after playing alongside Lee and another West Australian, Hannah Green, in Sunday’s final group.
Professional Wins
2022 Drummond Golf Melbourne International, WPGA Tour of Australasia
Best Professional Results
4 - 2022 WPGA Championship, WPGA Tour of Australasia
T2 - 2022 Vic Open, WPGA Tour of Australasia
T15 - 2021 Rakuten Super Ladies, Japan LPGA Tour
6th - 2019 Bridgestone Ladies Open, Japan LPGA Tour
T6 - 2019 World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup, Japan LPGA Tour
2nd - 2018 ISPS Handa Vic Open, LET Tour/WPGA Tour
T4 - 2018 Century21 Ladies Golf Tournament, Japan LPGA Tour
T7 - 2018 Resort Trust Ladies, Japan LPGA Tour
Amateur Wins
2017 Riversdale Cup
2016 Australian Girls' Amateur
2016 Dunes Medal
2016 Bowra & O'Dea Women's Classic
Louis Dobbelaar • QLD
DOB: 31/8/2001 Club: Brookwater GC Turned pro: 2021 Coach: Grant Field Main tour: PGA Tour Lationamerica, ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia Social media: @louisdobbelaar
> Louis’ world ranking and results.
About Louis
Joins the Rookie Squad for the first time as a renowned winner of tournaments already. 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 beyond this Australasian season. 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 - 2022 TPS Sydney
3rd - 2021 Queensland PGA Championship
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 • NSW
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 the past two years in which she was LET 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.
This followed 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
4 - 2021 Ladies Italian Open, LET Tour
5 - 2021 Open de Espana, 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
Travis Smyth • NSW
DOB: 29/12/1994 Club: St Michaels GC Turned pro: 2017 Coach: John Serhan Main your: Asian Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia Social media: @travsmythg
> Travis's world ranking and results.
About Travis
Travis turned pro after representing Australia at the 2017 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, but he already had a professional win under his belt. Travis won the NT PGA Championship just before turning pro, handing him full status on the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia for 2018.
Smyth went to Asian Tour Q-School and earned rights for the 2018 season when he produced a solid rookie campaign, finishing 50th on the Order of Merit that year and 43rd in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic forced him to the sidelines for much of 2020.
Professional Wins
2017 NT PGA Championship, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia (as amateur)
Best Professional Results
10 - 2021 Blue Canyon Championship, Asian Tour
T3 - 2020 ISPS Handa Vic Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia
2nd - 2019 NSW Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia
7th - 2018 Shinhan Donghae Open, Asian Tour
T10 - 2017 Australian Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia
2nd - 2016 WA Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia
Amateur Wins
2015 Riversdale Cup
2014 Queensland Amateur Championship
Zach Murray • VIC
DOB: 29/3/1997 Club: Commonwealth GC Turned pro: 2018 Coach: Marty Joyce Main tour: DP World Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia Social media: @Muzza05
> Zach's world ranking and results.
About Zach
Zach finished his amateur career with a bang in late 2018, when the Wodonga product stunned the golf world by winning the WA Open wire-to-wire. Soon after, Murray made his pro debut at the Australian Open. In February 2019, Murray added a second career title to his resume by winning the 100th New Zealand Open. The win earned Murray full status on the Asian Tour and he now splits his time between Asia and back home. He earned European Tour status for 2020 by finishing second to Ryan Fox on the 2019 ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit, but in 2020 was required to fight a difficult battle with anxiety attacks that set back his career. Has resumed playing again in 2021 and showing good form.
Professional Wins
2019 New Zealand Open, Asian Tour and ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia
2018 WA Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia (as amateur)
Best Professional Results
T6 - 2022 TPS Murray River, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia
T8 - 2022 Vic Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia
T15 – 2020 ISPS Handa Vic Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia
T21 – 2020 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, DP World Tour
T48 – 2020 WGC Mexico Championship, PGA Tour
T18 – 2019 Shinhan Donghae Open, Asian Tour
T20 – 2018 Queensland Open, ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia