Only seven brave vets ventured into gale-force winds for Monday's comp and I think most of them arrived by accident.

Four made it home.

When I was a wee lad, aged around nine or 10 years, my Dad decided to spend a fun-filled Easter Long weekend with myself and my two brothers in Port Fairy - in a tent.

Sounds like a wholesome Australian story of a father and his three sons I hear you say, and for the most part, you'd be right.

We had the beach, trampolines, mini-golf, fishing and all the trimmings a kid and his brothers could wish for from an Easter camping holiday by the beach.

And yes, it was fun - for a while.

At 2am on day three, my eyes sprung open with a fright to the spectacle of my Dad maniacally darting around our tent, or what was left of it, in a pair of thongs, a t-shirt and Reg Grundies.

He was trying unsuccessfully to keep the sleeping vestibule upright and watertight, as the saturated remainder of the tent flapped around in the gale like a startled goose whilst Mother Nature carried on mercilessly the other side of the plastic and canvas, wreaking havoc.

With water lashing at my sleeping bag and my air mattress about to earn its buoyancy badge, I reluctantly arose and assisted the clan in pounding the carcass of what was once our family tent into the boot of the Commodore.

We did a brief brother headcount and before the clock had struck 7am, we were exchanging Easter eggs in the loungeroom of our Mt. Waverley home agreeing to never speak of the war again.

Sadly, the mouldy and incomplete remains of a once magnificently manicured four-man marquee, that had seen us safely around the country and right throughout Europe, made its way to the nature strip for the hard rubbish collection the following August.

Saturday's stableford competition was the calm before the storm, with relatively benign conditions all day.

Chris Ratcliffe scored an impressive 44 points playing off 9 to win A Grade whilst Greg Dalton and Chris Moloney won B and C Grades respectively, with scores in the high 30s. Ros Bromell also pushed the scorecard over 40 points beating Di Robinson and three other competitors on 37 to win the Women's division.

Phil Laird was the lucky winner of the four vets who actually finished 18 holes in the Monday competition. He had 30 points. But, they were all winners when you think about it.

So, regardless of the weather, wind or no wind, Port Fairy is an amazing place to play golf. If you haven't, I suggest you try it on any day and in any condition - you're bound to fall in love with the course.

In next week's installment, I'll enlighten you of a conversation I had with my wife when it was suggested we get married in Warrnambool on top of a hill overlooking the water - in a tent.

Come and join us on The Links!