Fledgling pro seeks hometown backing

GOING PRO: Lachie McDonald returns home to Marton this weekend in search of help for his professional journey on the Australian PGA Tour.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

MARTON golfing sensation Lachie McDonald is seeking company to join him on the long, lonely road ahead as he embarks on his first season on the Australasian PGA Tour.

The young golfer is in the throes of qualifying for the tour and making a great fist of the job so far in his first season as a professional.

"At the moment I'm trying to qualify for the tour and that started in December where I had a successful week at the final Q-School event for the Australian PGA Tour. I've played two tournaments so far in Melbourne and am happy with both. I made the cut [top 50] in the Victorian Open, which was really good, and then played well in the Victorian PGA at Huntingdale," McDonald said yesterday.

McDonald finished 20th at the Sandhurst Golf Club to make the Victorian Open cut and will have a Category 13 exemption for the 2016 season.

McDonald bases himself in Palmerston North these days and will travel back to his home club in Marton to talk about his experience so far and to ask for help. He has no illusions about how difficult life on the road as a professional golfer can be.

"The Marton Golf Club has been very supportive of me over the years and continues to be. On Saturday I will give them a brief talk about my journey so far, but I will also be looking for support to help fund that journey.

"I have put a plan in place after talking to my coach and Michael Campbell when I was in Spain last year. I will be looking for a core base of investors to support me and I have a few things I can give back that will make them feel like they are on the journey with me.

"I intend setting up a closed Facebook page where I can keep people up-to-date and when I can I will be coming back to the club to play a few holes with those same supporters. It's an exciting time," McDonald said.

It can also be a lonely, expensive life on tour until talent kicks in and moves golfers up the professional ladder to reach the cut in a tournament allowing entry into the paying rounds where placings decide the level of pay cheque received.