Date: November 19, 2015
Author: John Salvado of AAP

Wilson ramps up Masters challenge

 

Australian Peter Wilson has a novel way of dealing with the stresses that are part and parcel of life as a professional golfer.

The 37-year-old likes nothing better than kicking back in a comfy chair and watching his children and his mates test their mettle on the skateboard mega-ramp he had built on his property near the small Victorian town of Nyora.

Wilson also loves having a ride on the ramp when golfing commitments allow.

Unfortunately one of his neighbours isn't nearly as enamoured with the massive 108-metre structure and has lodged an appeal with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), which will rule on its legality as soon as next week.

"It's not a public ramp but I think it's awesome," said Wilson, who shot an impressive four-under 67 in the opening round of the Australian Masters on Thursday to be three shots adrift of pacesetter Adam Scott.

"Hopefully I can still keep it because I like skateboarding, it's something I'm passionate about.

"I've spent four or five years building it and adjusting it and now I might have to move it to a different location out of this neighbour's view.

"That's what we've asked for and hopefully the VCAT will think it's a great idea."

A bigger concern for Wilson this year has been a serious health problem with his intestine.

An early misdiagnosis saw him play a number of events under increasing duress on the Japanese PGA Tour before he was forced to return to Australia for treatment.

The inflamed intestine means Wilson has to be extra careful with his diet.

"There are polyps or cavities in my intestine," Wilson said.

"Bits of your food or whatever can get stuck on the way through and if it does, I get infected again."

Fellow Australian Brett Rumford was forced to undergo emergency surgery in South Africa and miss several months of golf after battling the same issue in 2015.