Alice Springs is abuzz with excitement as the Australian Boys Amateur Championship gets underway on Wednesday 8 April at Alice Springs Golf Club. The boys championship marks the start of a fortnight of sensational golfing action in Australia s Red Centre. Last time the Boys Amateur was held in Alice Springs, Adam Scott took out the title and the World Number 22 had some words of encouragement for those competing. Even though it was 12 years ago now, I can still remember winning the Australian Boys Amateur Championship and how much it meant to me as a young golfer, Scott said. Alice Springs Golf Club will provide a superb backdrop for the country s best young golfers and I encourage all the players to play well and enjoy the championship experience in Australia s red centre. Among the hopefuls are Queensland s Cameron Smith- the current Queensland Boys Amateur Champion, Schweppes Tasmanian Junior Masters champion and recent member of Australia s successful Trans-Tasman Cup team. Smith will be joined by South Australia s Anthony Murdaca and last year s third place finisher Geoff Drakeford from Victoria in hot competition. Alice Springs is rated in the world s top 10 desert courses and is blessed with the stunning backdrop of the MacDonnell Ranges. This will be the first time the Australian Girls Amateur Championship has been held in the Northern Territory with the action to kick off from 16-17 April. For all the news and results from the Australian Boys Amateur Championship, Australian Girls Amateur Championship and Australian Interstate Teams Matches, go to www.golfaustralia.org.au SCHEDULE: 8-10 April: Australian Boys Amateur Championship 12-15 April: Australian Boys Interstate Teams Matches 16-17 April: Australian Girls Amateur Championship 19-21 April: Australian Girls Interstate Teams Matches Click here to view the draw for the 2009 Australian Boys&apos Amateur Championship for Rounds 1 & 2