Codswallop

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.

From a last round 80 last week to winning the Shell Houston Open this week. That's a pretty impressive turn around for Adam Scott continuing the great form of the Aussies leading into the Masters. Adam battled another Australian and deffending champion Stuart Appelby up to the 72nd hole. So it's good signs with both players are peaking at the right time. Adam is the second Aussie to win this year, the other being Aaron Baddeley. As of April there are four Aussies in the top ten in the FedExCup Points race. Between last week and this week there have been six Aussies in the top ten placings. So things are looking great for the first major of the year. Bring it on!

Great signs for the Aussies leading up to the Masters with Robert Allenby, Geoff Ogilvy, Aaron Baddeley and Nick O'Hern all finishing in the top ten in a lead up tournament. (We won't mention the winner )

My pick for the Masters is Badds. Badds has been in great form this year. He hits the ball good distance and he's a great putter. The way he putts reminds me of watching young children putt, before they start over analysing. No mucking around, just stand up and knock it in the hole. I have a hunch this attitude extends to the rest of his game. Just look at the way he handled to two Australian Opens. I reckon if he's playing well he will have the mental strength to hang on for his first major.

The Masters at Augusta is by no means the only exciting tournament this time of the year. The 2007 SGA Masters has recently be run and won. As is the tradition it was played over two days at the home of Australian golf - Moonah Links. Moonah links has two courses, the Open course which has held the Australian Open and what I think is a much better course, even though I play like shit on it, the Legends. Of course it goes without saying that I had a great time and I'm already looking forward to next year.

Some photos