New boy on the block Jordie Garner is rarin’ to go for next week’s Golf Challenge NSW Open at Concord Golf Club
“I’m soo keen for next week,” Garner beamed. “It’s going to be soo good.”
Garner , who has just turned professional, was one of four invitations handed out for the 91-year-old championship at the Tom Doak designed Concord Golf Club, along with 2016 NSW Open Champ Adam Blyth, Victorian Cameron John, and Garner’s 2019 NSW State teammate, Lucas Higgins.
Although it’s not his first dance, Garner said receiving an invitation to this year’s NSW Open was as big a thrill as it was the first time he qualified for the storied event.
“It will be my fourth NSW Open. I qualified as a 16-year-old at Stonecutters Ridge and then played two at Twin Creeks.
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“This is my first as a pro, though, so I can’t wait.”
After failing to qualify for last year’s Championship, Garner got a bit of an up-close look at what’s required to contend and win at Tour level.
“I caddied for my good mate Barbs’ (Nathan Barbieri) last year, and we were in the last group on Sunday.
“It was an experience for me for sure,”
“It was pretty cool watching Bryden, seeing what it takes to win coming down the stretch.”
“His ability to just shut everything out over the last few holes was a real eye-opener. He was genuinely in his own little world.”
After making his professional debut at the North Coast Open just two weeks ago, Garner said a recent conversation with fellow Central Coast alumni, Dimi Papadatos, had helped him reframe his outlook towards life as a professional.
“We were talking about expectations, and Dimi said to me every event is just another chance to get better and learn. There’s no real reason to put expectations on yourself to perform because it doesn’t happen that way.”
“Obviously, I’m going to Concord to try and win. But now, it won’t be with the expectation I must perform.
“If I play well, I play well. That’s the only goal.”
