Michael Ryan,
The wind was certainly a factor.
Before we teed off, one of Seminole's better players told me that he considered par to be 78 that day.
That trusty two iron helped me on a number of holes.
It's a great wind cheater and when you choke it up and punch it, it's a nice controlled shot that doesn't have to be overpowered.
After a good drive, that's what I did on my approach to # 16 which was right into the teeth of the wind.
It's difficult to come fresh off an airplane after spending months up north, and confront winds like that, on fairly fast and firm greens.
I commented to my host that Seminole was one of the few golf courses where you had to take the wind into consideration when reading and hitting your putts.
On # 15, my host, who's a pretty good player had a little 40 yard flip into the green, but, he let his wedge get up into the jet stream, and he pushed it a hair. Result, it faded, then slid off the green into the right bunker. Afterwards I commented that perhaps a 6 or 8 iron punch-run might have been the SAFER shot. But, when a golfer is rusty, those shots don't come naturally.
I had a fabulous day, but, like you I three putted 5 times.
The good news is that the rest of my game was decent.
And, I hit 4-5 of the best fairway bunker shots that I'd ever hit. Ginky, punched 3-woods and long irons that ended up favorably.
That's another thing that F&F conditions allow you to do.
I also applaud those in charge for not being afraid of brown, yellow or off green fairways.
Seminole is a wonderful golf course, but, that wind is a ferocious competitor that can humble the best.