There were probably a lot of golfers sharing Fran Fowler's sentiments last Sunday at the Prince Rupert Golf Club's Ladies Jubilee.
After more than a month of blue skies and no trace of liquid sunshine to be seen, the North Coast's fickle climate roared back with a vengeance on Sunday morning, whipping up gales of wind and downpours lasting hours.
"We would liked to have quit after nine [holes]," said Haida Gwaii's Fowler.
"But then it cleared off and the back nine was wonderful."
The visiting Fowler, who had been in town since last Tuesday, won the overall low net title of the jubilee and a familiar face claimed the overall low gross.
Rose Holkestad, co-winner of the earlier His and Hers Tournament, took top spot in low gross, carding a 36-hole total of 172. Fowler's net score was 142 after a handicap of 25.
While most participants, 33 in all coming from Smithers, Houston, Burns Lake, Terrace, Kitimat and Haida Gwaii, saw their totals climb in the blustery second day, a skilled few beat the odds and lowered their scores after Sunday's challenging conditions.
"All of a sudden, now you're having to take two or three more clubs just to hit the hole or get close to a hole," said low gross winner Holkestad after finishing her round.
"Our course isn't as pristine as it has been – we're struggling with that a bit this year ... but [my game felt] fantastic. Actually my first round [Saturday], I shot a 48 on the front and I was sort of grumbling a little bit because I had a couple little blow-up holes and turned it around and shot my best-ever on the back. I shot a 38. It was just incredible."
Fowler's game was on point as well. The islander has gained experience through the couple courses on Haida Gwaii.
"I don't get to golf very often, about as often as I can on those two courses, but it does not compare ... It's just beautiful here. It's not at its best right now, but it's beautiful," she said.
The Championship Flight's first and second low gross titles went to Karin Williamson and Janet Sheppard respectively. First and second low net went to Janice Malkow and Fiona Kerbrat. In the First Flight, Maria Wells took the first low gross title and Selma Standring grabbed second. First low net went to Carol Schaeffer and second to Esther Pretulac.
Within the Second Flight, Andrea Pollock claimed first low gross and Dorothy Wharton second. For low net, Carol Bryant grabbed first and Mary Murphy second.