IAS Golf Graduate Travis Smyth has flagged his intention to turn professional, as he chases international amateur silverware. Smyth will chase the US, British and Asia-Pacific amateur titles later this year, but already has his eye on qualifying tours. “If I don’t happen to win the British Amateur, the US Amateur or the Asia-Pacific, I’ll probably turn professional and try my luck on the Australasian tour,” Smyth said. “Then (I’ll) most likely go to the PGA Tour of China tour school at the end of the year.” Smyth has followed a remarkable run of South Coast talent to be named the NSW captain for the Australian Interstate Series. Smyth was voted to lead the team when the competition starts in Brisbane on May 9. He follows in the footsteps of fellow IAS Graduates who have turned professional, Lincoln Tighe and Jordan Zunic. Zunic won the 2015 NZ Open, while Tighe finished tied for fifth at this year’s Australian Open. “It’s a huge privilege just to be part of the team, and a bigger honour to be the captain,” Smyth said. “It’s pretty cool how all the guys voted for me. It gives me a lot of confidence. “Lincoln and Jordan, we’re all from the South Coast – same area, same club, we all represented NSW at the elite amateur level. So it’s an honour to be recognised with the captaincy like they were, it’s pretty cool.” Golf NSW high performance manager Dean Kinney said Smyth being named captain shows his development. “Travis has matured as a golfer enormously,” Kinney said.
