SEN radio personality Mark Allen will be making a return to Professional golf this week at the Oates Vic Open at 13th Beach Golf Links.  

Playing on a tournament invite, on Thursday the radio host will compete in his first PGA Tour of Australasia event since 2010.

"I stopped playing full time at the end of 2003 and the reason I stopped playing was because I was no good – I don’t think too much has changed in the last ten years," said Allen who, despite sitting on the sidelines for the last few years, is sincere about this week’s challenge and his chances.

"I’m serious – I want to try and make the cut… I’m really, really lucky that I play a sport where I have the opportunity to dip my toe back in and I’m grateful for the opportunity."

Playing this morning in the Oates Vic Open pro-am, Allen was happy with his 1-under par round conscious of not peaking too early!

"I birdied the first two holes and got to 3-under pretty early but I didn’t want to shoot 65 today – I’d much prefer to shoot 65 tomorrow, so I put the handbrake on," laughed Allen, who will tee off alongside young Victorian Ryan Lynch tomorrow.

"His dad (Dale) was my first coach," Allen recalls.

"I think he came second here last year, and I’m also playing with Lucas Herbert who lost in a playoff at The Heritage last year. So I’ve got two ripper kids to play with so I can’t wait."

Currently host of SEN’s afternoon program The Run Home, Allen is also host of the successful Chasing Birdies program which last month celebrated ten years on air.

Whilst it’s certainly the longest running dedicated golf radio program in Australia, Allen says he’s proud of the program which he spruiks as the longest running golf show in the world.

"I love talking about golf, I love it. I’ve been a golfer all my life," said Allen.

"It’s just nice to still be in the game one way or the other."