Indeed, the sight of Australian Opals captain Lauren Jackson strolling the fairways of Albury’s Commercial Club Golf Resort yesterday caused more than a few regulars to turn their heads.

But Jackson is about to swap drives to the basket for drives from the tee, with the basketball superstar launching the Lauren Jackson Invitational Golf Day.

To be held on Friday, September 13 at the Commercial Club course, the day will raise funds for Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia (formerly the NSW Rape Crisis Centre), for which Lauren is the patron.

The day will also help the Albury-Wodonga Women’s Centre for Health and Wellbeing, with all proceeds donated across the two groups.

A long-time advocate of women’s welfare, Jackson said this was her first attempt at raising money and awareness in her own name and she was clearly delighted to be doing so.

“I’m very excited about this,” Jackson said.

“Hopefully we can get some of the local businesses out here to support it.

“It’s the first thing like this I’ve ever done.

“I don’t know how successful it’s going to be but it’s going to be a lot of fun, for sure.

“It’s such a passion of mine.”

The day will involve an early barbecue lunch followed by a four-ball ambrose tournament, with a shotgun start.

After a round of 18 holes, all golfers can join Jackson for a post-game function and presentation that will also include a charity auction.

And can Jackson hit a golf ball as well as she strokes a three-pointer?

The answer, according to the three-time WNBA most valuable player, is a resounding no.

“I’m really bad but it’s for a great cause,” Jackson laughed.

“I do enjoy it though; when I got injured I started to have a hit with my dad for a bit of fun.

“I’ll probably ask Tim (Freedman, good friend and former The Whitlams frontman) to come but I haven’t gone down that avenue yet (of asking people).”

For more information and to sign up for the day, visit laurenjackson.org.

- The Border Mail is a sponsor of the Lauren Jackson Invitational Golf Day.