A few drops of rain and freezing cold weather didn't stop Bendigo golfers from returning to the course for the first time since COVID-19 restrictions were eased.
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For plenty of players it was the first time they had held a club since restrictions came into play in late March.
But it didn't matter how they hit the ball, they were simply ecstatic to be able to play again.
Neangar Park GC member Rae Gibbons was one of the first back on the course.
"Even with that little bit of rain this morning we were all still very keen to play," Gibbons said.
"It's nice to be out in the fresh air again playing golf, which is something we all love."
Gibbons has played for around 20 years and even though golf was off the cards for less than two months it was one of the longest stints she had gone without a game.
"Playing is a big part of the week, a lot of us plan everything around golf," Gibbons said.
The ladies at Neangar Park stayed in touch during lock down with at-home putting games, but it has been a few weeks since they've been able to do a full swing.
"From around three metres to the cup we will all be pretty good," Gibbons laughed
"But in terms of full swing expectations...we will see what happens.
"We're planning for quite a relaxed round which normally can bring on some good results."
While golf has been off limits to players, ground-keepers have remained hard at work keeping courses in prime condition for the return.
"The course is looking fantastic, the surface looks so good, like carpet," Gibbons said.
Fellow Neangar member Cam Rochester was thrilled to have a day off which coincided with the return of golf.
"We've been looking forward to this day for the last five weeks," Rochester said.
Rochester's group was the first off the tee at Neangar on Wednesday morning, braving the elements at 7.50am.
"The swing was feeling a bit rusty, it was wet and not the greatest weather but we were just happy to be out on the course" Rochester said.
Most courses throughout the region are holding club competitions on most days in an effort to spread the distribution of players across the week instead of majority playing in a Saturday tournament, generally the biggest of the week.
There have also been significant changes to game-play in an effort to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.
Victoria was the only state in Australia where the sport was prohibited, but that changed on Monday morning in an announcement by premier Daniel Andrews.
The ease of restrictions also saw fishing, hiking and some other outdoor activities able to be undertaken again.
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