Spalding Park Open Pro-Am Series: PGA Pro Jordan Doull gears up for second bite of the cherry in Geraldton
From this Friday to Sunday, the Spalding Park Golf Club will host the 51st annual Spalding Park Open, showcasing the best pros in Australia as they converge on the Mid West for the Pro Am Series.
One pro hoping to make his mark on the tournament is Perth's Jordan Doull.
Doull returns to Spalding Park with unfinished business to attend to. After finishing second in last year's Open, the 26-year-old will be looking to go one better this year and take top honours.
The Geraldton Guardian sat down with Doull ahead of the tournament's start on Friday as he reflected on his career to date and his hopes for the weekend.
What age did you start playing golf?
First time I picked up clubs I was pretty young. I was about six or seven but didn't really start playing till I was about 14. I played soccer actually for most of my life, and then snapped my ACL so turned to golf.
What was your pathway to pro like?
I played golf outside of school at Mount Lawley Golf Club, and then when I was 18 I moved to the US to play college golf at Columbus State in Georgia, where I spent five years. Then I returned to Australia, got my pro card, and started the journey of being a pro about a year ago.
Favourite club in your bag?
My driver. Probably the strongest part of my game too.
Where has the game taken you?
I have played in the US, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea but I have my first tournament in Europe in October, so I am looking forward to tick that off the list too.
Favourite course you have played on?
Pretty hard to go past Augusta National. That course is perfect, not a blade of grass out of line I mean, all the trees are tied together to stand up straight. It's just a very special course.
What is one highlight that sticks out to you so far?
Winning the 2025 Perth Webex Players Series in front of a home crowd was pretty awesome. It was played at Royal Freo so had a home crowd supporting me, which was great.
What do you think of Spalding Park Golf Club?
Obviously played here last year and came second, so I know the course now. It's really nice. I feel comfortable here. My coach is from Geraldton. The wind is something to take into account when playing here, and it's blowing a bit more than last year so that will be something to look at. But I like the course, the set-up is great, and the conditions are awesome.
Any tactics going into the weekend?
The wind is something to think about, but I feel like I figured it out last year. If I can make it through the first two to five holes at one under or even, it should set me up for a good day. I struggled to get used to it early in the round last year, so this year hopefully will be different.
What are your aspirations for the future?
Just keep playing golf for a living. I mean no matter where it is. Australia, Europe, Asia, it doesn't really bother me as long as I'm playing golf for a living and having fun.
Sixty pros, 15 amateurs and 45 local members will be teeing off in the 51st Spalding Park Open Pro-AM Series from Friday-Sunday.
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