Sundridge Park has been hosting the Kent Ladies Championships this week. Tuesday, the first day, was a stroke play competition (played as scratch medal) with the main championship playing 36 holes, and the seniors 18 holes. In each case, the top 16 qualify for the matchplay rounds which commenced on the following day. Sundridge Park was well represented in this event, and five of the top seven qualifiers in the main championship were from the club (with six qualifying overall). Sophie Bargeron shot a gross 75 and 80 to lead the qualifiers, with Kim Morris two shots behind in second place. Ainee O'Connor, Tita McCart, Rachel Martin and Nancy O'Connor also qualified.

By the end of Wednesday, Sundridge Park was still well represented. Sophie Bargeron's excellent form continued as she won both her matches as did Kim Morris, to reach the semi-final. Kim won her semi convincingly to set up a final against Marnie Barber from North Foreland who beat the unlucky Sophie Bargeron on the 20th in a titanic match. Unfortunately, for Kim, Marnie continued the good form to win the final 5&4.

The Club was well represented in the seniors' matchplay too - four club members were in the top 16. Christine Edgar third in the qualifying, and Ingrid Long (7th) made it through to the main seniors matchplay section. Ingrid met Christine in the semi-final with Ingrid making it through to the final where she won convincingly beating Gina Phillips from Nizels 6&4.

In club competitions, it was Julie Richardson who took top prize in the Silver section of the Ladies Stableford played over the East course with 37pts, with Nancy O'Connor taking the runner-up spot with 36pts. The Bronze section saw Angela Mace take top prize with 38pts, with Lynn Burrill the runner-up with 35pts.

Tristan Lee must be one of the form golfers in the county as he won the Midweek Stableford with an unbelievable 41pts to take his handicap to +1. In his wake was Bernie Rowland with 37pts taking runner-up spot on count back from John Mack,  and in fourth place Dave Sullivan Snr with 35pts.

The world's best golfers are in Georgia this week for the 2014 Masters Tournament at Augusta National.

With eight months having elapsed since the last major championship, the sense of anticipation for an event deemed by many to be the most exciting of the annual global golfing calendar is palpable.

The Masters was inaugurated in 1934 after amateur legend Bobby Jones and Clifford Payne - the first chairman of Augusta - hired Alister MacKenzie to design a course on a piece of land that formerly housed an indigo plantation and a nursery.

It soon developed into one of the most coveted tournaments in golf - a product of its heritage, list of past winners and host venue; an inimitable and immaculate golf course with unparalleled beauty and serenity.

Horton Jones won the first championship, and the ensuing list of winners reads like a who's who of golfing superstars.

Indeed, Gene Sarazan, Byron Nelson, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and a host of other Hall of Famers have triumphed in The Masters over the last 80 years.

Woods, though, will miss the Masters for the first time since 1997 following surgery to remove a pinched nerve in his back.

As such, Rory McIlroy - who suffered a heart-rendering final-round collapse in 2011 - has assumed the position of favourite, but he'll face a stiff challenge from the likes of Jason Day, Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, in-form Matt Kuchar and defending champion Adam Scott, one of three players who could reach world number one this week.

That said, the 2014 Masters is arguably as wide open as it has ever been, and even those languishing well outside 100/1 in the odds are more than capable of staging a Masters challenge.

As ever, putting and short-game prowess will be vital at Augusta, but driving distance and accuracy has become more and more important over the years. In fact, many people see the PGA Tour's Total Driving statistic as the most revealing barometer in terms of predicting who might contend.

With all major championships, though, good play must be complemented by mental fortitude, control of emotion and the ability to embrace the pressure.

Player Watch:

Rory McIlroy - The Ulsterman is hitting the ball well at the moment and comes into the Masters off the back of a closing 65 and a top 10 at the Shell Houston Open.

Matt Kuchar - Kuchar failed to convert two 54-hole leads at the Valero and Shell Houston Opens, but he's in excellent form, he's experienced, his Masters record is strong and he'll be determined after the events of the last two weeks.

Keegan Bradley - The American's combination of good form, length and accuracy off the tee and aggressive disposition could well facilitate a challenge this week.

Look out for…

Russell Henley - Henley defeated McIlroy in a play-off at the Honda Classic, shot a closing 66 for a top 10 last week and played his college golf at Augusta State. He's certainly one to keep an eye on this week.

Click here to keep up to date with the Masters. 

The next time you miss a makeable putt, give yourself a break. Boffins tell us that on an 8ft putt, your blade has only to be one degree open or shut at impact for the ball to miss the hole.

Putter makers realise this, of course, and our shop selection employs the latest aim-enhancing designs and cosmetics. Some like to see down-the-line assistance; others find squaring-up markings more useful. Today's ranges cater for both. If you've never considered which suits your eye, we'd urge you to. Better still, come and talk to us about it. It could save you a lot of lip-out pain.

Also, consider how well you strike the putt. A heel strike closes the blade; a toe strike opens it. The putter's length plays a role here. A good length allows a set-up that promotes a solid, centred strike. The best way to ensure you get this right is to pay us a visit. We'll be delighted to help.