This week on Friday, the ladies from my Golf Program decided to celebrate one of our friend’s 60th birthday by playing at The Dunes on the Mornington Peninsula.

We are lucky to be in an area with awesome golf courses that have spectacular views of the sea, rivers and countryside in our state. The drive to The Dunes was a little over an hour and when we got there, the day promised to be full of sunshine. However you never know with these coastal courses, the weather could turn.

And it did.

Luckily I got about 11 holes in and despite the gale strength winds and pelting rain, I played my best golf. Weird. I make it a rule never to play in such conditions however as I had a cart and we were in good spirits, I didn’t let it faze me.

At the 12th hole, one of the ladies wanted to call it quits so I decided to do the same. The others opted to battle on despite the elements. I hooned away through the muddy tracks, wind smashing us through the sides and rain pelting on the windscreen.

I couldn’t see a thing but geez, I love those motorised carts. I was sticking my head out the side just to try and locate the tracks back to the clubhouse. The extreme weather made me come alive. I was cold and wet but a hot coffee was nearby so there was nothing to fear.

Back at the club house, a few of us waited for others to finish. I had my coffee and became warm and dry again. Later as they all started to dribble in, we headed off to a nearby house, the home of one of the ladies in the group who had a grazing lunch, drinks and canapés waiting for us. There, prizes were handed out for the competition and I won a golf ball, tee and marker for my scores.

It was lovely to spend an afternoon on the deck with my friends and looking out at the garden and huge trees. I also saw an echidna and a range of different bird life from L’s place.

We are lucky to live near to such beautiful places.