This time last year Rebecca Artis was struggling to get herself on the golf course.
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She had been travelling all over the world to play for 10 years and as amazing as all the experiences and tour wins were, it was taking a toll.
From Coonabarabran originally, Artis has always been someone close with her family so spending so much time away gradually became more difficult.
So she put the clubs away and was happy with the choice to retire.
But there was always one thought in the back of her mind.
"I always knew the NSW Open was in Dubbo," she said.
"Even after I'd made the decision [to retire] I had everyone telling me I should play because it's as close as I'll get to play a professional tournament at home."
So, despite barely picking up a club in the past seven months, Artis will be one of the more than 150 players who contests the Women's NSW Open at Dubbo Golf Club.
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And after this one it will definitely be retirement time.
"There was a bit of convincing but everyone said I'd be mad not to do it," she said.
"Now I'm really looking forward to it. I haven't played a lot in the past seven months. I stepped away and enjoyed it.
"But I know this will be my last event and I'll get to see some of my friends from the tour.
"There's no pressure so I'll see how it goes."
The past seven months have been hugely enjoyable for Artis.
She and her husband Geoff now call Narrabri home and run a pub there but she's had plenty of time to visit family everywhere from at home at Coonabarabran, to Mudgee, and Albury.
It's been the little things, like regularly seeing her nine nieces and nephews, that she's missed while playing in the United States, the Middle East, or all over Europe.
"The travel wore me down," she said.
"I was sick of being so far away from my family.
"I was losing a little drive and when you're on the LPGA or playing in the United States you need that drive and that passion."
Artis has still been involved in a golf in a big way though.
Recently she's been caddying for close friend and Laura Davies, a legend of women's golf, and has been taking the game in from another perspective.
I look back and I'm proud of what I've done.
- Rebecca Artis
It's a role Artis' husband Geoff knows all too well as he's caddied for his wife during her decade on the tour.
"I look back on my career and maybe I underachieved a little but I won twice on the European tour," Artis said.
"I look back and I'm proud of what I've done. And Geoff has been my caddy for the 10 years. He's been there in the low times but he's also been there to celebrate the highs and we've traveled the world."
While Artis' career will come to an end this week, another country product will be taking the first major step of hers.
Dubbo star Ella Murray will be part of the NSW Open field and Artis hopes more young players, especially those in regional areas, continue to work to reach the top.
"If you're willing to make sacrifices and do the work and have got the desire then you can dream and make that dream come true," she said.
"I had to make a lot of sacrifices from about 15 onwards and I missed out on a lot as a teenager but I'm glad I did because the opportunities I had in my 20s were a lot most here don't have.
The NSW Open field will have a practice day at Dubbo Golf Club on Wednesday before the four-day tournament starts on Thursday.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
