The Eastern Golf Club - East Course

Getting up early Monday for US Masters coverage is a rite of passage for the Aussie golf fan.

So it was nice to wake up early, drive up to Eastern GC for early coverage of the Masters, a bacon and egg roll and a 60 competitor shot gun start.

Close to Yering Meadows I was expecting a similar layout, but my expectations were well and truly exceeded. A fabulous, well appointed clubhouse (fantastic arm chairs) overlooks the practice putting green and views of the South course. The morning mist hanging over the course made quite the dramatic scene.

The South course itself is a wide, long and expansive layout. I sense that the Shark was inspired by his love of Augusta (the design, perhaps not his performances on Sunday). The 3rd is a great example of this, a long drive and a long approach over water to a real Augusta style green complex. Other greens feature steep drop offs, much like Augusta again putting a premium on GIRs.

Fully appointed USA style driving range, practice putting green, TaylorMade performance centre.

Of course there is also the members-only North course and Shark Waters - the par 3 course.