Frustrating day at La Manchette

1st competition of the season, Stableford, Tee off at 10h30 with John Martin and Tom Ike, great company, as hadnt played golf with John for two weeks so heard about his adventures. Tom turned out to be fascinating, with all his travels and experiences, everyone with his type of job are born optomists. Dream start, pitched three metres from the flag then holed out for a birdie. First hole easy, just need to get over the bunker protecting the green and then all is fine. Second hole , irritating out of bounds 200 m on the right, found it so played three off the tee, made up for it with a fine bogie. Pared the next two, out of bounds again on the fifth, finished the front nine, six over par, hitting the ball well. Took four puts on the short 11th, very irritated couldnt believe it, followed up hitting the ball out of bounds on the narrow 12th, next two careless play and dreadful approach play to the greens. 12th, safe par, played safe on the narrow par five 16th, didnt enjoy it and took four from 50 metres, getting more frustrated, last two holes hit three balls out of bounds, had to smile as had ruined a solid start, 23 points going out and an awful 13 on the return. As usual they had run out of food in the clubhouse, quick drink and away as quick as I could.