Round 12 was a case of getting into a lot of trouble off the tee/fairway, but pitching, chipping and putting like a pro to scramble a 99.

Round 13 was the total opposite. Very little trouble off the tee, some great iron play, but couldn't putt to save my life. Result was, you guessed it a 99.

But for extreme fatigue (it was 27 degrees here) in the last 5 holes I could have had a low to mid 90s score.

I played really well at times but fell foul to a very dry course here. I tried to plan out every shot so to avoid 3 putts on greens that were like cement. At this stage I just don't have the skill to place my ball on the green. Not that one could do that as they were so hard that a PW that I hoisted up a mile high still bounced and bounced until it found a nice spot at the back of the green. The result, 7 3 putts. I would barely tap the putt and if it didn't drop it would roll a good 6 feet past.

I am actually happy with how I played. I hit some decent tee shots. A few went the way of the bushes, particularly in those last holes as I tired (I drank 3L of water and didn't pee for the rest of the night).

Of course there was the occasional shank, two or three stubbed chips that I should have backed away from but hit anyway (i.e. my club seemed to twist as I took it away but I went ahead and hit the ball anyway. Stupid stupid stupid).

I conquered my nemesis (hole 13). On this hole one needs to drive the ball about 220 and then has a 160 yard shot to the green with a water hazard carry of 120. But for the concrete green it would have stuck, but bounced off the back. Managed to chip on and 2 putt, a bogie is the best score I have ever had on this beast of a hole (a real round wrecker).

Another moment of triumph was a great 6i tee shot on a par 3. I decided to try and land it short and let it run up to the green as sticking greens was impossible. I hit it so crisp and the ball was tracking right in line with the cup, unfortunately on landing it hopped to the side and I was left with a 16ft slider for birdie that I managed to cozy up for a tap in par.

I still have to think my shots through a bit more. A number of times I hit the ball flush only to see it fly over the flag and off the back, the to say to myself "of course, there's a bloody great wind at your back you dummy". This will come with repeated practice and awareness though I am sure.

All in all, not a great score but I can take solace in that I hit some lovely shots and fell foul to very tough greens (one of my companions had 48 putts!!!!).