Brett Coletta is making a name for himself in Professional
golf but has made a decision which has shocked many at this week’s NSW Open.

At 20 years of age, Coletta is the most recent champion on
the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia after he won the Isuzu Queensland Open
as an amateur.

He became the first amateur to achieve the feat since Stuart
Appleby in 1991, it was an incredible achievement for Coletta who came into the
week off the back of a runner-up finish at the Asia- Pacific Amateur where he
heartbreakingly missed a place in The Masters Tournament.

Coletta now has full status on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of
Australasia, but only if he turns Professional.

In a decision that has shocked many, Coletta has decided to
remain amateur at this week’s NSW Open which tees off on Thursday at
Stonecutters Ridge Golf Course.

It was a decision that wasn’t made lightly, but he admits
the thought of passing up another winner’s pay cheque is painful.

"It’s a big decision, one that you only make once. I didn’t
take it lightly, I had meetings with people to help me move forward with that
decision but I decided to stay amateur," said the level headed Victorian.

"The money is a thought. I know I can do it now; I can win
on this Tour, but it’s just one of those things I will worry about when it
comes.

"Obviously a lot of people were asking why I didn’t turn Pro
before the Queensland Open. Then obviously winning and having the winner’s
category for the next three events, it was almost like a dream come true,"
added Coletta.

"I was excited by winning and that could have an impact, but
I am looking down the path a bit further, I didn’t want to make a rash
decision. I took it all in."

Life as a Tour Professional isn’t always as easy as it
seems. Coletta wants to make sure he has his team and schedule in place before
he takes up his opportunities.

"A lot of stuff off the course that people don’t see needs to
be organised. I didn’t really have too much of that in place and it would have
been playing on my mind if I had turned Pro this week," added Coletta.

"Obviously having exemption onto the PGA Tour of Australasia
is very good but from March through to September it’s the off season here and
that’s the time I want to be playing

"I will have a full calendar in the middle of next year as
an amateur and I will get adequate Pro starts on the Asian Tour via the Asian
Amateur, and I am through to the final stage of British Open qualifying as
well."

Coletta has a position in both the NSW Open and Emirates
Australian Open next week as an amateur, however if he hopes to play in the
European Tour co-sanctioned Australian PGA Championship on the Gold Coast he
will need to make the jump to the paid ranks.

That’s a decision that still looms over his head, Coletta
believing he still has goals to achieve as an amateur.

"It’s a dangling carrot, the Australian PGA Championship is
such a great event and obviously having five of the top-6 Australians playing,
the field is strong," added Coletta.

"If I am going to turn I need to back myself, I am willing
to do that but I still have a bit of stuff to conquer as an amateur.

"Obviously the Asian Amateur, coming so close to getting a
start in a Major, that would be second to none. Top-50 in the world as a Pro
gets that, so it is such a strong accolade to have.

While many may continue to question Coletta’s decision, he
will continue to focus on playing his best golf and let the rest take care of
its self.

"The next few events could hold something different and it
could change my decision there and then," added Coletta.

"I am not sure if I made the right decision yet and I’m not
sure that I will know until I eventually turn Pro.

"I am full of confidence with the game at the moment so I
just need to see where it takes me."