Full Circle. Looping in on Tahnia Stalker’s Golfing Journey

Words: Kass Rogan

At the tender age of six on a Saturday morning back in 1999, something special began for Tahnia (Ravnjak) Stalker. Watching her dad head out for golf each weekend, she finally asked, “Can I go too?”

The next weekend her mum took her to the driving range at Port Kembla to take part in a kids’ clinic. 

“That’s where it all started for me,” she recalls fondly. 

Fast forward 25 years, and Tahnia now works at Golf NSW, the state’s peak representative body. The sport has been a constant presence in her life since that first visit to the driving range.

Growing up, Tahnia dabbled in gymnastics, swimming, soccer, tennis, and surf lifesaving, but it was golf that stole her heart. She got her first club membership at Port Kembla Golf Club on her eighth birthday, and by twelve, she was competing locally and taking the game seriously.

“I played in the junior comp at Port Kembla every Saturday.  We would play nine holes and compete for pro shop vouchers, Mars Bars, and B51 golf balls – the good old days.”

Tahnia participated in Jack Newton Junior Golf (JNJG) events and state competitions, even making the NSW Junior State team. Her talent earned her a scholarship to the Australian Golf Club’s Junior Foundation Program at 17, where she played Division 1 Pennant in Women’s Grade.

Going to college in the USA was always on Tahnia’s bucket list, but figuring it all out was a challenge.

“At the time, there weren’t many Aussies who I could seek guidance from. I had to do a lot of researching, reading, and emailing to figure out if this was something I really wanted.  Education was important to me as well as playing golf.” 

Her hard work paid off with a full academic and sporting scholarship to Campbell University in North Carolina. There, she balanced her studies and golf, earning a degree in Sports Management. 

"I got to play some of the best courses in the USA, travelling to over 25 states and competing against the best amateurs in the world," she says.

“Once I graduated in May 2016, I stayed on for an extra year and was the Assistant Coach at Campbell University.  I loved my time there, and I had so many unforgettable experiences.”

In December 2017, she turned professional, a milestone she had worked tirelessly towards. 

"I still remember the feeling I got when my membership status came through. This was something I had worked so hard towards, and turning professional had been a lifelong goal of mine," she recalls with pride.

Tahnia joined the ALPG Tour (now The WPGA Tour of Australasia) and quickly made her mark internationally, winning the China LPGA Tour Qualifying School and securing full playing rights. She spent the next three years competing on both the WPGA and China LPGA Tours, embracing every moment. 

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought uncertainty to many professional athletes, including Tahnia. With travel restrictions and tournament cancellations, she decided to make a change, applying for an Events Coordinator role at Golf NSW.

“This was the start of my career on the other side of the ropes,” she adds. 

After three years in events, Tahnia jumped at the chance to become a Regional Manager for Golf NSW.

"I am now the Regional Manager for the Illawarra, and I love being in this role as I have gone full circle to where I started as a junior and back in my hometown," she says, reflecting on her journey.

Tahnia's pivot from player to golf industry professional allows her to share her expertise and experiences to benefit others. 

"Golf is second nature to me, making my transition into the golf industry after playing feels like a seamless fit," she notes. 

Her involvement extends beyond her job. She mentors young players and serves as an assistant coach for the Illawarra Academy of Sport. She has also been the team manager for the NSW Junior and Senior State Teams, roles she finds incredibly rewarding.

"Ultimately, my greatest satisfaction comes from helping others, and if I can achieve that, I consider it a fulfilling initiative," Tahnia says. 

Golf has given her countless opportunities and experiences, and she's dedicated to giving back to the community that has given her so much.

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