It's a real well-trodden path. The L59s are the way to go in this game...High trajectory = softer landings and etc as said.
Tour Pro Tees the L52s are still huge, but get to the M tees and the L59s start to really edge it on "real virtual" courses. Get to the car park Legend tees and whilst still capable they can start looking long in the tooth early competing wise, and with modern equipment making the game feel easier than once getting to Legend "early" is a real issue for some.
Well done on your CTTH comp, but that's how it works around here club wise. Ball wise it's also true, as alluded if not said directly, that using a ball above the level of your clubs is generally not worth while. The CTTH comp is also a free one that has a random drawings and many will have banged round quickly to be entered. Also many legends, TLs and Champs are there only because of red tees, and look pretty horrendous in open play. Good luck with it all, but some perspective there.