Bendigo is primed for two days of back-to-back golf.
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Professionals and amateurs will hit the course for both the Axedale Golf Club and Neangar Park Golf Club's pro-am competitions.
First up is the Symes Motors BMW Axedale Pro-Am.
The tournament's 2019 champion, Asian Tour professional and Bendigo born-and-bred Andrew Martin is returning to defend his title.
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Last year Martin fired a six-under par 63 to win by one shot from Ruben Lal.
"It's good to go back and have a couple of rounds at home," Martin said.
"Around this time of the year people have just come off their break and are eager to have a hit out before going into the Vic Open in a few weeks.
"To have two days of golf is great for the clubs and for golf within the Bendigo region."
Martin will be up against a strong field which includes NSW Open Champion Josh Younger, James Nitties and Axedale's own Kris Mueck.
Mueck, who played the 2019 tournament without pro status and set a new course record of 59 off the stick, will contend for the money this year.
"I am very excited to be back," Mueck said.
"The 59 is certainly a hard round to replicate but I'm looking forward to competing in what is an exciting day for the club."
Axedale GC president Allan Andrews was thrilled with the "star-studded" line up set for Thursday.
"The field is sensational.It has a really strong depth of quality," he said.
Above all, the club was thrilled to host its second pro-am event.
"After last year, we were regarded as one of the best pro-ams in Victoria and we plan to improve it this year," Andrews said.
"There are a lot of proud people at the club who are very excited for the event and we have more than 80 people who are volunteering to support the competition."
The ground-staff, led by superintendent Dylan Knight, have been hard at work to get the course into prime condition.
"We are only a short par 69 and a lot of the pundits expected the pros to tear it up, but apart from a few outstanding rounds only seven pros beat par. You have to be straight and smart or the course will bite you," Andrews said.
"The tournament is not possible without sponsors.
"We are thrilled to have Symes Motors BMW on board again."
Symes Motors BMW general manager Jacqueline Pinder said it was essential to support the local community.
"Whilst supporting the local community is essential for any business, particularly in regional towns, we are passionate about assisting the elevation of local sporting talent which creates future opportunities," Pinder said.
"Attracting golfers of this level to our city to play alongside our locals and aspiring younger talent is an incredible opportunity for the community and the Axedale Golf Club. We love being involved and can see the broader benefit for the region."
In total 57 professionals and 53 amateur sponsors will tee it up on Thursday from 10am onward.
Neangar Park will then host its tournament on Friday.
Read more in the Bendigo Advertiser later in the week on the Neangar Park Pro-Am and results from both events.
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