By Noelle Cahill
If you want to be good at something you have to practise. So if you can do it in idyllic surroundings – what's to stop you?
I'm a golf addict. I've belonged to Riversdale Golf Club for more than 50 years … and a more beautiful place you can't imagine.
Once or twice a week, with other golfers, I spend my early evenings driving balls down the practice fairway.
The only thing that interrupts this activity is the parade of ducks waddling across the grassy slopes in front of us. Mother and father duck are leading their fluffy offspring from the creek on our right, up to the dam on our left.
Grown men, disgruntled golfers and hopeful juniors down their clubs and wait patiently. There's never a complaint. It's just too wonderful and yet so simple.
With daylight saving, we're there until 9pm – and beyond the gates there's a spectacular view of the city lighting up.
The oaks separating the drive from the practice fairway are a myriad of changing colour. Seasonally, we experience so much. An easy breeze, a shadowed target, a kookaburra laugh, the occasional scurrying fox, a wattle bird warble, an invigorating chill or the smell of a wood fire emanating from the clubhouse.
Nothing deters us. This is part of our DNA.
When I die and go to golf-heaven, I know I'll feel instantly at home, because this lush green fairway is as close as it gets to the real thing.
What is your favourite place, the place that brings you the most joy and serenity? Send in your 250-word piece and photo to sunday@theage.com.au