Bransdon, who is attempting a third consecutive win in the $11,000 event, heads a crack field for the annual showcase bolstered by the entry of hometown favourites Lucas Herbert and Kris Mueck.

The Victorian produced a stunning seven-under par 64, to finish one stroke ahead of Herbert in last year's event.

Neangar Park Golf Club president Philip DeAraugo said the event just kept getting bigger and better, with some top quality touring pros ready to tee up

“Reigning two time winner David Bransdon is coming back and trying to make it three in a row," he said.

"Last year's scores were amazing and I encourage anyone wanting to see lots of birdies and eagles to come out and follow the pros around.  

"The course is in great condition and I wouldn't be surprised if we see the course record broken again”. 

Mueck will be keen to better his equal ninth placing from last year after shooting a a three-under par 68.

Bransdon, ranked 650th in the world, is coming off a big year which saw him win the Queensland Open in August and finish second in the New Zealand Open.

The pro-am marks the start of a big couple of weeks on the central Victorian golf calendar.

On the following weekend, the Neangar Park and Axedale golf clubs will host the inaugural Golf Central Victoria Ambrose Championship.  

Teams of three can enter either the daily 18-hole event, or play all 36 holes over two days.  

The event is a fundraiser for the Golf Central Victoria men's and women's representative teams that play in Melbourne later in the year.

This will be followed by the $11,000 City of Greater Bendigo Legends Pro Am at the Heathcote Golf Club on January 29.

The field for this event includes some true greats of the game, including 1986 Australian Open winner Rodger Davis, Michael Harwood,  and Ossie Moore.  

They will be joined by local pro and Heathcote resident Bryan Wearne will also compete on the day. 

Wearne recently ran a junior tournament at Heathcote with the three winners on the day, Jonah Harris (Kyneton Golf Club), Cooper Gentle (Parkland) and Jazy Roberts (Neangar Park), all winning spots in the Pro-Am field. 

Rounding out a hectic four weeks, Neangar Park will host the Central Victorian Junior Masters on February 18 and 19 and a qualifying round of the Mazda 4BBB on February 26.

DeAraugo  said every player in the Mazda 4BBB will have a shot at winning a new Mazda 3 on the day.  

"All they have to do is have a hole-in-one on the designated hole," he said.

 The winning pair will also qualify to play the final at the spectacular Sorrento and National golf clubs.  

Entry forms for the Mazda 4BBB can be found on Golf Victoria's website.