As an aspiring professional golfer, there’s a huge jump from playing as an amateur to going pro, and that’s where the Australian Master of the Amateurs tournament makes a difference.

The tournament was set up by former television and sport photographer Peter Mann and his wife Angela – a theatre nurse - 22 years ago.

“Peter’s vision was to set up a tournament that treated amateurs like professionals,” Angela said.

“It’s evolved from a small event into a major drawcard for the world’s best players over the years,” she said.

Peter and Angela still play an active hands-on role organising and running the tournament, and now have the support of their son Geoffrey.

Geoffrey works for a tech firm, but relishes his role as Tournament Manager.

“I really enjoy meeting the players and the people – at this stage in their careers everyone is so relaxed and friendly.”

Geoffrey said a lot of great players had found the tournament a perfect pathway to transition from amateur to pro, such as Australia’s Jason Day (ranked world number 11), Aaron Wise (ranked 55) and Bryson DeChambeau (ranked 5).

He was rapt when he texted Aaron Wise after he won his first pro tournament and Aaron texted back thanking the Australian Master of the Amateurs tournament for its role in his journey.

This year the tournament has attracted 78 of the best male amateurs in the world from 15 countries, including four of the top ten players such as David Micheluzzi from Australia.

This is the second year that female players have taken part in the tournament and it has quickly grown in popularity.

Last year there were 24 players from three countries, but this year there are 48 players from 10 countries, including top Australian junior golfer Cassie Porter.