« Sunice Bowen keeps all elements at bay »

Chapeau Noir is taking advantage of some free time between now and May 24 to play as much golf as possible, regardless of weather. Cold and wet conditions, as evidenced by the following photo, have been the norm this spring in eastern Ontario.

But no matter how cold or how wet it gets, Chapeau Noir plays on, thanks in large part to an ultra fine offering from Sunice -- the Bowen.

The Bowen, from Sunice, beading up the rain on the 12th tee.

Now it's all well and good to put on a jacket and step under the shower or garden hose for five minutes in an attempt to prove a garment worthy of standing up to the harshest of weather conditions, but it is quite another to actually field test a product to get the story that lies beyond the hype.

Reviews can, and sometimes do, list off the technical features of a product, those which you can readily access for yourself on the product page in question -- but what you really want to know, is does the product work as intended?

Having now played a total of 45 holes in cold, windy, and as you can see, ultra wet conditions, Chapeau Noir can say with confidence that the Sunice Bowen jacket will get you through just about any weather you may encounter on the golf course as dry as a bone and as warm as toast.

To be clear, the Bowen was not worn while riding any manner of golf conveyance, for Chapeau Noir eschews the motorized buggy / cart. Therefore, you can know with confidence that no shelter from the rain, wind, or cold was sought between shots. Chapeau Noir plays golf the old fashioned way, carrying his bag over his shoulder while moving about the grounds in a bipedal manner, as one who is human is wont to do.

The Bowen from Sunice.When the Bowen is rained upon, it beads, and it beads, and then it beads some more. Eventually, the beading begins to cease ever so slightly as some moisture is absorbed into the fabric, but you will never feel wet nor cold from the being damp. When the cold wind blows, the Bowen buffets, and buffets, and then buffets some more. Your core, your precious and most valuable core, that upon which you pivot, is wrapped in warmth. This side of Gortex, there isn't anything better.

Perhaps thanks to Sunice's background in the manufacture of ski garments comes the 'Lycra action cuffs', which gently seal your forearms and wrists in comfort and warmth. But whatever the origin of the inspiration for this feature, a finer execution there could not be.

The Bowen makes nary a sound as you take the club away from the ball, low and slow as your grandfather once showed you. As your hips begin to initiate the downward arc of the swing, the only sound you hear is that of the onrushing clubhead as it approaches the ball with impending fury, sending your orb hissing off towards its target -- be it that which is intended -- or not.

Essentially, all sense of wearing a jacket is lost upon you, allowing your mind to be singular in its focus. Namely, the shot at hand. Or, if things aren't going so well, how long until it's beer o'clock?

It is important to understand that warmth, comfort, style, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing that because you are fully sheltered from the elements that your round will not be called on account of a little, or a lot, of rain, the Bowen does not come cheap.

Listed at $300 CDN, you need to make sure that spending that kind of dough on a golf jacket will be worth it. If you've gleaned anything from this review, you will know that it is worth every hard earned penny. But what price do you put on having a marked advantage over your fellow competitor when the weather takes a turn for the worst? You do remember the last Ryder Cup do you not? Enough said.

Now if only Chapeau Noir had a pair of Grove rain trousers to go with, he might well be set. Bring it on Mother Nature, bring it on.