The Warrnambool golfer is among the south-west contenders who will battle for Sungold Junior Open honours next week.

Perry, 16, played in the two-day 36-hold stroke event 12 months ago, travelling from his then-home in Mount Gambier to compete.

Now he’s based in Warrnambool and practices on the course – across the road from his house – every day.

“Heading into this event having a lot of practice on the course and being there seven days a week, you’d hope you’d go all right,” Perry said.

“I think for me, the main thing is keeping the ball in play and if your putting is on on this course you can shoot anything.

“You have to be very strategic.”

Perry, who has shot a career-best 67 on the 72-par course, is quietly confident he can better his 2015 showing.

“I didn’t have great scores, maybe 76 or 77,” he said.

Perry, along with fellow south-west teenagers Matt Cameron, Will Mackenzie and Noah Best, are among the region’s best male hopes.

Reigning women’s winner, Warrnambool and Port Fairy member Joanna Flaherty, is not competing.

Perry is expecting to face a tough field – one which won’t feature his younger brother Jhett who injured his knee playing school soccer.

“I know a few of them,” he said.

“I am sure there will be a few competitors and decent players out there.”

Perry’s long-term aim is to turn professional.

He is now playing off plus 1 and recently picked up a scholarship with prestigious club Kingston Heath.

“I have only just signed it but I am trying to get down every two weeks,” Perry said.

“It helps with costs and I get to play pennant for Kingston Heath and against better quality players and city kids.”

Warrnambool Golf Club manager Trevor Brown said 87 players, aged between 13 and 20, would compete in the Sungold Junior Open on Monday and Tuesday in either stroke or stableford events.

The club also caters for non-handicap golfers with nine-hole stableford events planned for each day to help increase participation and provide a pathway into the sport.

“They (the players) are coming from all over the state – the Geelong area and golf clubs like Curlewis and there are a few from Bendigo, Ballarat and Midlands,” Brown said.