Unfortunately Matt did not advance through the playoff, but I'll let him tell you all about that. As caddy for that one hole, I of course take all the blame.
The wind was strong (by my standards) today, but not quite as strong as yesterday. Said in a more informative way, I was adding between 30-40 yards for shots that were directly into the wind. I'll repeat what I said yesterday, because it's true and because I don't want to be interpreted as complaining: it was loads of fun.
On the Dunes, the windy holes were 10, the drive on 11, the second half of 13, 14, 15, and even 16 and 17 somewhat. Bob, I think the second half of 11 and 12 are protected from some of the wind and that may have made the wind seem less strong when you were there. However, I also don't doubt that your definition of a strong wind and mine are quite different, given that you play out at MPCC so often. I'm not surprised to hear that wind of this strength is common on the holes right near the coast.
On the Shore, the wind started getting much stronger when we got to the sixth tee. The conditions became more difficult heading into the wind on nine through 13, but it got a bit easier once we turned back on 14. The wind was still very much a factor all the way to my approach shot into 18.
The pace of play got painfully slow on par fives and during the windiest stretches. When I got to the 14th green of the Dunes course yesterday, we were the third group on the tee. We waited a long time on nine and 13 also. The pace was again slow today but there were not as many lengthy waits as yesterday. The wind really caused play to grind to a halt because players were hitting more shots into long grass (search time) and taking longer to figure out how to play shots. For reference, the CGA allotted 4:48 for us all to finish the round in threesomes under the NCGA pace of play policy (which nicely turns unbearable six hour rounds into barely tolerable five hour rounds). I think we came pretty close to that time both days, but I don't think we met it (because of waiting on the groups in front and our own troubles searching for balls).
Many thanks to the MPCC membership for hosting the event. I think all the players felt lucky to get to play these wonderful courses and we really were treated as well as anyone could hope for. Getting to play the courses was definitely a special experience for me (despite my play), and even more given the normal windy conditions.
I would not be at all surprised to see Blake Trimble go on to win this event or many others down the road. I played with him both days and he hits it a mile and has a great short game. As an example, today 17 of the Shore was playing downwind. I hit a solid driver and that left me with 141 to the hole; Blake hit a driver and was left with 55 to the hole. On 18 I hit a good cut driver and he outdrove me with his Titleist hybrid. I'm not long by anyone's standards, but even still. He and his Dad are both very nice folks, too.
That's all I can think of for now ...