Australian Augusta

I recently had the opportunity to play what is often referred to as the Australian Augusta, Bonville International Golf Resort. Bonville is a picturesque course carved through rain forest, with holes often isolated from other holes. A snap hook is more likely to end up deep in the forest then on an adjacent fairway. It is quite an undulating course, which I like. I enjoy the challenge of hitting to an uphill green off a downhill lie, even though chances are I'll duff it into the creek in front

Distance is not a problem for me, I hit the ball a long way. So I was disappointed not be able to hit off the back tees. I really don't understand why courses force you to play off forward tees. Some courses of course are much worse and make you hit off the yellow social tees which are usually 100m down the fairway and thus you play half their course! grrr Bonville wasn't this bad, but it still took the edge off an enjoyable day.

Bonville is a course I would like to play again, especially while it's still reasonably fresh in my mind. There are plenty of challenging holes I would play differently now I'm familiar with the layout. However I probably won't. It's just too damn expensive and in the end it's not Augusta. Luckily I'm spoilt for choice here in Victoria with plenty of great layouts that are much better value.