Bjorn Again...

Hello Golfers, It's been a big weekend indeed. We have new management for the country again, some unbelievable weather and another golfing champion over the age of 40. Congratulations to Thomas Bjorn, another winner over the age of 40, we always give plenty of air time to the youngsters, but sometimes it needs an experienced head to get you over the line. Now I know I have mentioned the weather on more than a few occasions of late, but in the past week we have experienced, Winter, Spring and Summer in a matter of days! On Saturday here at GT HQ and along the eastern seaboard I could have sworn we bypassed Spring and jumped straight into Summer. No sooner had the winter doona come off on Saturday, it was hastily put back the next day! Augusta, The Stuff You May Not Know Every year in April, golf fans from around the world congregate at the legendary Augusta National for The Masters. The club is strictly members-only, but each year in April professional golfers dream of becoming the newest member of Augusta National. The history of Augusta National is varied and interesting, but to sum up some interesting facts and trivia, we have listed 5 items for you to enjoy. No. 1 In 1958, Herbert Warren Wind, a writer for Sports Illustrated, nicknamed the 11th, 12th, and 13th holes"Amen Corner" in his description of play on that Sunday afternoon. Arnold Palmer had played through the 12th hole in the midst of a rules controversy to eagle on the 13th hole and win the first of four Masters. The term "Amen Corner" stuck and has lasted for over five decades. No.2 Augusta's front nine were originally its back nine. Before the Masters in 1935, the decision was made to switch the nines. Only one tournament was played with the original course setup—the 1934 Masters, won by Horton Smith who also won the 1936 Masters, making him the only person to have won with both course layouts. No.3 The Crow's Nest sits above the Champions Locker Room in the clubhouse. This is where the five amateurs who make the cut stay during the tournament. The room is sparse and small, 9m x 12m divided into four cubicles, but for an amateur golfer it is a dream come true. No.4 Created in 1978, the Champions Locker Room, or Masters Club Room, is located in the clubhouse and is for Masters winners only. The centrepiece of the room is a display containing a green jacket, sterling replica of the Masters Trophy, and other awards won by competitors during the tournament. No.5 Augusta National is a seasonal club. It is closed in May and remains closed until October. This is the time when maintenance is done to the course and grounds to keep them looking as beautiful as people have come to expect when the see Augusta National. In the Express Lane Russell Henley Henley made his professional debut at the Nationwide Tour's Soboba Golf Classic in September 2011. In September 2012, he won the Chiquita Classic, defeating Patrick Cantlay and Morgan Hoffmann in a playoff. In October 2012, he won his second title of the year at the Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open. Russell Henley began the 2013 season determined to establish himself on the PGA Tour. It didn't take long for Henley, 24, to make that happen. He won the Sony Open in January, firing a remarkable 24-under par 256, a victory that earned him$1,008,000. Henley has three other top-10 finishes and he has has also been in the top 25 five times. Henley has earned more than $1.9 million this season. He hits the ball for distance and accuracy, but it is his putting that makes the difference. He ranks 10th in strokes gained putting on the PGA Tour this year. Henley became the first PGA Tour rookie to win on his debut in 12 years with a record-setting performance at the 2013 Sony Open in Hawaii. What's in the bag Name: Jordan Spieth Age: 20 Professional Wins: 1 Clubs: Titleist 3 Wood: Taylor Made RBZ Stage 2 Irons: AP2 Wedge: Vokey SM4 Jordan Spieth won the U.S. Junior Amateur in 2009 and 2011, joining the likes of Tiger Woods as its only multiple winners. Before turning 18 in July 2011, Spieth was number one in the Polo Golf Rankings, which determines the best junior golfers in the United States. On July 14, Spieth won the John Deere Classic in a three-way, sudden-death playoff on the fifth playoff hole against defending champion Zach Johnson and David Hearn. He became the fourth youngest PGA Tour winner and the first teenager in 82 years. World's Most Spectacular Golf Hole We can't take credit for this photo, but it looks like an astonishing view from the tee, have you played on any courses with a view like this? If so we would love to hear your experience, email us a short story and photo and we will publish the most spectacular entry we receive. Email: david@golftraders.com.au Old clubs? We'll buy them from you... Golf Traders offer our customers a fantastic service whereby we can purchase, part exchange or swap your equipment. With the golf season in full swing, we all have clubs lying around that are basically redundant. Instead of letting them collect dust in the garage, turn them into cash... or at least let them go some way to buying the new clubs you so desperately want. View all of our stock here or come in store and have a hit in our brand new practice net and try before you buy! Golf Traders 02 9517 3471 33 Nelson Street Annandale, NSW 2038 Australia Golf Traders PRO TIP: Where is the Pin? Following on from last weeks tip, make sure you know where the pin is located before you play the hole, how? By observing as many flags as you can whilst walking between your shots and from tee to green. As you walk from tee to green, lean over and take a look at the pins on the other side of the course, take a mental note and remember the pin locations. Knowing the pin location will help you select the correct club and strategy for later on in the round, especially on blind approach shots! Happy golfing David Fearns (PGA) Golf Traders