Tags:Bogey, Birdie, Round, Lob wedge, Golf, Putt, Tee, Green.
Yesterday (Sunday) I went down to the club for our weekly dose of self-abuse (was at a football match on Saturday). 
As we walked into the clubhouse to register for the Comp, we spied the notice board. It read "Winter Tees now in Play, Preferred lies on all fairways (mats = horrible immitation grass strips).  We were filled with shock & awe. 
Our Greenkeeping staff have managed the course in a fantastic way this year with one exception (I feel).  They didn't roll the tee boxes during last winter.  Hopefully they will take advantage this year.  They have prepared Teeing areas in front of or beside the normal boxes, but they are still very uneven for the most part. As a result we are either standing above or below the lie of the ball.  We can take great consolation in the fact that we still play the normal greens.
The comp was an "Enter on Arrival" played to "Bogey" format.  Easy enough for the brain cells, it's a + for birdie, 0 for par, and - for bogey.  It dosen't take a lot to keep track of the scores.  My playing partners play off 7 & 16, while I am still off 20 (age & medical condition dictates), they were not very amused with the format, at least in stableford they have a chance to score at every hole even when they aren't playing so well.
I played a steady round, but only managed to return a score of +1, but they were feeling totally dejected after carding - 6 & - 9 respectively. 
Back in the club house we performed our usual autopsy on the round, and much to my delight I found I hit 12 out of 15 fairways from the Tee & 10 greens in regulation.  My Putting was a bit haphazard in places, but my chipping around the green was very good.  I was only in one bunker from which I was up & down.
65nlovenit gave me some great advice for using my lob wedge on this site (big thanks & respect) which has helped me immensely.
All in all it was not a bad day, with the only real downside being having to play off the mats on the fairway.  I do make some poor iron shots from them.  I do play very good F/way woods from them though. 
At least I have gotten over my recent injury (thanks to all who showed concern) and can now fully enjoy the game again.  My days off work fall mid-week so I will be back!