A 20 year old Lismore woman is realising her dream of playing in her first major amateur golf tournament with help from the Greater Building Society.

Ashleigh Woodridge will play in the 2007 Greater Building Society Lake Macquarie Women's Amateur Championship to be held at Belmont Golf Course from Thursday January 18 to Sunday January 21.

Ms Woodridge has only been playing golf for just over12 months yet she already has an impressive handicap of four. Her handicap has been as low as three.

She is one of six children. None of her immediate family plays golf.

“My pop plays a bit of golf so I guess I got some interest from him,” Ms Woodridge says.

Ms Woodridge says she is nervous but very excited to be playing in such a big tournament with the likes of Australian junior champion Sarah Oh.

Greater Building Society assistant general manager Don Magin met Woodridge when she was nominated by her local Lismore Golf Club to play at the 2006 Greater Building Society Queensland PGA Championship Pro-Am held at Emerald Lakes Golf Club on the Gold Coast last November.

The Greater has helped Woodridge to find accommodation in Belmont for the event.

“Ashleigh has fantastic potential and we are hoping that this opportunity will help her career to take off,” Mr Magin says.

The nationally ranked amateur event attracts some of the best Australian and international players. The women's field of 101 players includes Sarah Oh and the, unrelated, Australian amateur champion Helen Oh and Rebecca Flood from Coonabarabran (NSW). Last year's event was won by Sarah Nicholson from New Zealand.

This is the third year that the Greater Building Society has sponsored the women's championship which is in its tenth year. The Greater has been the major sponsor of the men's championship for the past 12 years. It also sponsors the Von Nida Queensland PGA.

Mr Magin is encouraging Hunter people to come and watch some great golf. Admission to the tournament is free for spectators.