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Now that Tiger has emerged from self-imposed exile, the international golf scene is back to normal. Surprisingly, very little has changed for Tiger was still a factor and he still was poorly behaved. Maybe these are two of the things that may never change.

Tiger will next appear at Quail Hollow at the end of April and, while it is always fun to watch him play, for me it is no longer that important. Golf is bigger than egos, even Tiger's. I now see Tiger in a different light, not so much for his personal indiscretions but more for his lack of respect for golf. I'll take one Brian Davis over ten Tigers any day of the week. Brian respects this great game and I'm not sure Tiger does. I hope that is one thing that will change.

Our domestic scene is getting interesting. The Bermuda Amateur Match Play Championship was won by Jarryd Dillas who continues to show that he is Bermuda's premier amateur player. Jarryd beat Nick Mansell, albeit narrowly, in a contest played in dreadful weather. While Nick turned up second best on that particular day, he is also showing that he is in a class above most, if not all, of the other top-rated amateurs in Bermuda.

The Bacardi Par 3 was played at Fairmont over Masters' weekend. The professional division was won by one of Bermuda's newest professionals, Daniel Augustus. I've had the pleasure of playing with Daniel and he is indeed a fine player with a lot of potential. Local professionals are now playing in one day events each week and Daniel needs to get into these events to sharpen his playing skills. More importantly, though, Daniel needs to pack his suitcase and get out in the big wide world to see how he really stacks up. There are plenty of guys out there who can really play this game, who will be very happy to eat your lunch and send you on your way.

Coming up very fast now are two important majors for Bermuda's amateur players. In mid-May, the Bermuda Senior Amateur Championship will be played at Riddell's Bay, with a Men's Division and a Ladies Division. The winner of each division will be the Senior Amateur Champion for 2010 and this event is expected to be fiercely contested for these honours.

In mid-June, the Bermuda Amateur Stroke Championship will be played at Port Royal and the winners of the Men's and Ladies' Division of this particular Championship will be the Champion golfers of Bermuda for 2010.

This is a particularly important honour as the Champion golfers of Bermuda earn an exemption to participate in the prestigious Dixie Amateur Championship that is played in Florida in December.

Daniel Augustus and Tariqah Walikraam participated as Bermuda's Champion golfers in the Dixie Amateur Championship for 2009.[[In-content Ad]]

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