Played with two other singles, Mack and Christian. Mack and I were similar distance. Christian was about 6'5" and when he connected, hit it a mile past us. He didn't always connect well, though. He spent a lot of time looking for balls in the trees.
I didn't play that well. Was very uncomfortable, as expected, with the Bermuda grasses. Need more time to know what to expect around the greens, though only once did I make a bad chip. Also got in a bunker on 9th which was not at all like the practice bunker I had earlier made 10 of 10 good bunker-outs. Was surprised when the ball flew over the green and into further trouble.
Had been hitting driver fantastic on the range yesterday and before the round. Only hit 3 or 4 similar to the range sessions, but kept it in play and acceptable for the others.
Best shot of day came on final hole. 190 yard approach all over water if I wanted to go for it, otherwise there was a bailout layup option to the right which would have left 60 yards in. WTF, I went for it. Took a 5W out. Hit it sweet, but ball had not been flying normal distances all day. When I hit the 5W, I knew it had enough. Right on the pin, but surprised me when it fell about 25 feet short, though it left me a make-able, slightly uphill putt. Got it close, but settled for a tap-in par on a very difficult final hole.
Was uncomfortable for the most part around the greens, not knowing what to expect from the Bermuda and the sandy turf. Missed a lot of green I should have easily made. Particularly some par 3s. Didn't expect to putt these greens that well, and didn't. Played much more break than there actually was as a result of the overly breaking greens I normally play.
Glad I played the "platinum" tees (whites). Driver was just okay, distance-wise. Being at sea-level seemed to steal 10 yards or so from most shots, maybe even more from driver. Even well-hit full wedges seemed 5-10 yards shorter. Had 85 yards to pin on one shot, which I hit perfectly with a 54*, worried it would be long. It landed 5 yards short. On another, hit a 3W approach I was yelling at to get down, sure I was going to fly the green. It landed 5 and stayed 2 yards short of the green.
Right shoulder was a little sore by the end after two range sessions and 18 holes.
