Words: Media Release
Photo: Australian Golf Media
New South Welshman Harrison Crowe has made the decision to turn professional, bringing to a close a stellar amateur career both in Australia and abroad. The 22-year-old from St Michael’s Golf Club in Sydney declared his desire to turn professional today, capitalising on the PGA Tour of Australasia exemption he received for winning the 2022 NSW Open at Concord Golf Club. That exemption was due to expire at the end of the 2023/2024 season, prompting Crowe to join the pro ranks starting from the Nexus Advisernet Bowra & O’Dea WA Open at Joondalup Country Club in Perth from October 5-8. The decision means that Crowe will forgo the opportunity to defend his Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship title at Royal Melbourne Golf Club from October 26-29, setting his sights on a full season on home soil before taking his game to the world. With three DP World Tour cards and exemptions to international Qualifying Schools on offer through the Order of Merit – not to mention the DP World Tour co-sanctioned Fortinet Australian PGA Championship and ISPS HANDA Australian Open – Crowe knows the path forward starts on home soil. “To have the goals that I want to achieve, I need to be playing a full season,” said Crowe, “If I was to wait any longer and miss those additional events, I could be starting behind the eight ball with regards to the Order of Merit.” “I don’t feel like I should be trying to skip any of the steps; I need to earn my right to play on certain tours. For the time being, it’s getting myself on the PGA Tour of Australasia where I do feel comfortable and letting my golf do the talking. I think I’m more than mentally ready to make that jump and it’s shaping up to be a nice schedule.” The timeline on Crowe’s move into the professional ranks has been closely monitored since he edged Blake Windred by a shot to claim the NSW Open in March last year. It was expected that he would turn professional following the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Thailand last October yet a victory sealed with an up-and-down on the 72nd hole opened the doors to major championship starts at both The Masters and The Open Championship. “I think the decision would have been made a lot earlier if I didn’t make that up-and-down,” Crowe conceded. “The perks of playing two majors is pretty cool but regardless of the two majors, the extra experience that I got and continuously learning really opened my eyes. The people that I got to meet, the people that I got to play with and the advice I was given is pretty priceless and I definitely wouldn’t have gotten that if it wasn’t for the Asia-Pacific Amateur last year.” “It made me more and more ready the more I played and the more I travelled.” As he enters the next phase of his golf career, Crowe expressed his gratitude to parents Shaunaugh and Tony, long-time coach John Serhan, his immediate team and the support he has received from both Golf NSW and Golf Australia. “The opportunities that I have been given in amateur golf representing my state, representing my club, representing my country, it’s been truly unforgettable,” he added. “Playing Interstate Series or playing Eisenhower Trophy, it’s something that you’re holding onto no matter where you are and where you’re playing. That you did get to play for your country, you did get to play for your state, you played for your club. There are plenty of golfers out there that haven’t got the chance and it’s something huge that I can take forward.” “It’s been a pretty crazy journey, but it’s been awesome.” |
