A teenaged Wodonga golfer is set to travel the equivalent of circumnavigating the earth this year in his pursuit of a pro career.
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Daniel Gill will travel to Queensland three times, while also making the long trek to New Zealand, South Australia and Tasmania on two occasions each, plus there's numerous trips to Melbourne.
He's set to rack up almost 40,000kms and that's without a possible trip to the US, where he's hoping to again contest the prestigious US Junior Amateur.
Gill had a taste of American golf in 2019 in the Junior World Championships at Torrey Pines, California, with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson previous winners.
Woods also won the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines, which is picturesque and sits on coastal cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
"It was awesome, but I didn't play that well, I think I had eight-over for the first three rounds and just missed the cut," Gill said.
"It was a different type of course, the fairways are so much tighter and it was a much longer course (the South course is 7039m, while the North course is 6637m).
"The rough was long and thick, there was no run so you had to fly the ball there and the greens were firm.
"You can't stop a long iron on the greens, if you're in the rough, you have to lay up short of the green."
Despite missing the cut, playing on such a famous course has only steeled the 18-year-old's dreams of playing professionally, like fellow Wodonga product Zach Murray.
And Gill, who just finished his VCE, draws inspiration from Murray.
"Oh yeah definitely, it just gives everyone the hope that you can do it, a kid from a country town like this can go on the big stage," he said.
And that's why this year is so important as Gill looks to fine-tune his play.
"I just need to sharpen up a little bit from 100m in with wedges, from 30 to 100," he said.
"The bad ones are pretty bad, I look to keep them within 15 feet, get a few more closer for more birdie opportunities, that's where the scoring's at."
Gill's passion for the game is palpable as he craves success.
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"I love the opportunities it gives you, I love the ability to create different shots, you can do anything you want with it," he said.
The plus-four handicapper handled the higher level when he finished third in Wodonga's pro-am.
Gill tackles the Australian Amateur Championship in Brisbane from January 12.
