James Rochlin is a regular holiday-maker in Fiji, a keen diver he usual spends most of his time with the fish exploring the crystal waters but after watching the inaugural Fiji International his feet stayed dry when he visited Fiji this year.

The 35-year-old Australian marketing consultant was in Fiji
this month for a friend’s wedding but couldn’t resist heading out to Natadola
Bay Championship Golf Course for a quick round with the wedding party.

"We were there for a wedding but I have been to Fiji before
to go diving," said Rochlin.

"A lot of people who are interested in diving also like to
play golf which seems to be a weird coincidence. But they are both nice outdoor
pursuits I suppose."

"An opportunity to play any course which hosts a professional
event is always something to jump at, you know it’s going to be fantastic
quality," added Rochlin who enjoyed watching the inaugural Fiji International
on FoxSports in Australia last August.

"I watch a lot of golf on TV back home, and I saw the Fiji
International. I liked seeing how the professionals played the layout, but
Natadola Bay itself just came up so well on TV it looked amazing and well
manicured."

Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course didn’t disappoint with
Rochlin thoroughly impressed by what he experience after he played the layout
for himself.

"I thought it was in amazing condition, it was absolutely
immaculate," added Rochlin.

"The 4^th is obviously one of the signature holes
along the beach but I actually really liked the 8^th hole, where you
drive up to a high tee box and you’re teeing off almost into a valley."

"Then the last hole coming back up to the clubhouse is
pretty special, by then we were all playing pretty well, driving the ball
within a few meters of each other and it’s just a really spectacular last
hole."

Fiji International Champion Steve Jeffress would probably
concur with Rochlin, when he made that walk on Sunday of the tournament he had
a three shot lead.

But while Rochlin and his mates enjoyed their day out on the
luscious fairways of Natadola Bay they admitted the professionals did make it
look a little easier.

"I think the pros definitely make it look easier on the TV,"
admired Rochlin.

"Some of the greens were very deceptive. They looked like
they would be quite easy, they were flat but they were quite fast, which made
it harder than I thought."

"But if I had shot an amazing score I probably wouldn’t have
thought that," he added with a laugh.

Having loved their day at Natadola Bay Championship Golf
Course Rochlin, the groom and groomsmen were raving about it to the other
wedding guests and set up a tee time for the next day at Denarau Golf and
Racquet Club for an even bigger group.

"We definitely got the golf bug on this trip, the groom most
of all, I think he even played after the wedding," said Rochlin.

"It was just so nice to get out and play amazing courses
while on holiday."

Now back at home in Melbourne which is experiencing a cold
snap, Rochlin is already casting his mind forward to October and dreaming of
returning for the Fiji International.

"After having played the course it makes me want to come
back and watch the pros tackle it in person," added Rochlin.

"It’s actually a great course to watch, obviously it’s
spectacular but it’s also got a really nice relaxed atmosphere, you would be
able to have a really good time."

"If you were there to watch the golf you would be able to
see a fair bit of the play, which you don’t always get when you go to a golf
tournament."