Two Dubbo juniors are in the running to be crowned the nation's best under 18 amateurs when the Australian Junior Amateur Championships take place in Queensland this week.
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Lachlan Jones is one of six in the NSW boys' side competing at the Southport Golf Club from Wednesday, while 13-year-old Ella Murray is one of four in the NSW girls' development squad playing at Coolangatta Tweed Heads Golf Club.
Both sides are dominated by metropolitan players.
"It's great to see ... you don't need to live in Sydney to be a good player," said Liz White, who manages Ella's development side.
"Karrie Webb [World Golf Hall of Famer] came from Ayr - not exactly a big city town - and she did alright!"
Managing the boys' team is Dubbo's Peter Ipkendanz, who said Lachlan's game had matured since last year's championships.
"He's a lot more confident in his own ability and ... he feels he can compete at the top level," he said.
Ipkendanz has spent decades mentoring school-aged athletes, and said this year's boys' team included "some really good golfers".
"They're enthusiastic, they love their golf ... and there's not an ego among them."
White said being exposed to "the best juniors in Australia" would only "benefit [Ella's] golf".
"She's such a talent," White said.
"You can see she's working very hard and making the most of this opportunity Golf NSW has given her.
"She's a lovely, strong hitter of the ball so I'm sure if she continues to develop, she'll do really well."
The competition tees off on Wednesday with 18 holes of stroke play, followed by another 18 on Thursday.
Those who make the cut after Thursday will play another 36 holes on Friday to decide the 2019 Australian Junior Amateur Champions.
For Ella, 13, to make the cut against so many 17-year-olds would be an "outstanding achievement", White said.
Lachlan's boys' team, as well as the main girls' side, will then contest the Australian Junior Interstate Teams Matches from April 15.
