SYBASE CLASSIC

WYKAGYL COUNTRY CLUB

NEW ROCHELLE, NY

My player this week is Kathryn Marshal

Monday: Arrived about 2:30 and decided to walk 9 holes. Unfortunately, there was an open qualifier, anyone may tee it up, and they teed off on both nines. Kathryn is in Philly getting a lesson so I'll have all day tomorrow.

Tuesday:  Walked the course and it's soft but in great shape. We alternate early tomorrow so we'll get in a pre Pro-Am emergency nine.

I lost a lens from a pair of eyeglasses and was scheduled to pick them at a Sears, adjacent to Fordham University, in the Bronx. I've never been to that part of the city and it was an eye-opener to say the least. What a toilet! An amalgamation of filth, dilapidated structures and the dregs of society. Why people congregate in urban cesspools and do not endeavor to emancipate themselves from this horrendous plight is beyond me. Just the challenge of maneuvering an automobile through streets, built for far less than the traffic flow now in existence, would test even the most maniacal motorist. Dodging cars, jay-walkers, buses and the occasional emergency vehicle  would turn the most mild-mannered into the most virulent of drivers. Have a nice day!

Wednesday:  It was nice to return from yesterday's trip to "Deliverance North". At least I'm surrounded with some semblance of normalcy.

 Played our early nine and managed to get in a good deal of chipping and putting. This could be the best shape this course has seen in a while. Kudos to the superintendent and crew. On the down side, the crew should have been out earlier this morning. We had to play between them and on one of the greens there were 3 leaf blowers, 2 mowers and a greens roller. Sounded like a machine shop. 

This is the 3rd week in a row we have a late-early flop on the tee times. Must be stuck in the computer sequencing.

Thursday:  Fairways were still soft and the balls were picking up mud so the field staff implemented the "lift clean and replace" rule. What a difference between yesterday's early nine and playing late. The greens go through a transformation from perfect to slow and bumpy. That's what you get with poanna. Should be much improved for our 8:10 time tomorrow.

Shot a very good 1 under but should have been better. We were -3 with 3 to play but 16 and 18 bit us in the butt. Chipping seems to be Kathryn's bug-a-boo. We did knock one in but others should be much closer for tap-ins.

Friday: "Play it as it lies" was the order of the day due to improved conditions. No cleaning permitted.

 A calamitous first nine, the backside, has us sweating the cut. But with a weak field and bumpy afternoon greens we should be in. We shot +6 for that side including a triple on the par 3, 16th. That hole has to be the most difficult on tour when the green is fast. Our group had a combined score of 16 on that hole today. If your above and left it's almost impossible to keep it on the green. Your next shot will be a chip right up against the collar. This one could bring you to tears.

Saturday: Revenge on 16 today. Made birdie with a slick putt from above the hole. Also birdied the 7th which was playing 217 from the back tee. Those were the highlights. The lowlights put us at 3 over for the day. Kathryn refuses to utilize the pitching lesson from earlier in the week and is putting from way off the green. It's really sad to see. You need to do the things you fear to overcome them.

Michelle Ellis aced the par 3 second yesterday and was told by her playing partners that every hole-in-one wins a car, not just on the 16th. Well, they were almost correct. The player fact sheet stated that it was every hole but number 2. Talk about bad luck. In the good luck category, Dorothy Delasin aced the 13th today and should be driving some new wheels shortly.

Received a complement on my site from a young fan after we finished and wish she had furnished her name. Would have given her a mention. Thanks again.

Sunday: A double on our last hole, the ninth, spoiled a good round. Shot even.

Kathryn is expecting a new golf bag next week but it turns out it was nine holes too late. As I picked up her bar on number one, our 10th hole of the day, the strap broke. It was gradually wearing out and just couldn't go any more. Luckily, I had a small 2nd strap called "The Loop" attached and managed, though with difficulty, to carry it along. A call to the rules official got a replacement on the next tee but was the wrong type of strap. Quick thinking, using a plastic wire tie, rigged it well enough to finish the round. I think I have a little MacGyver in me.

Double check that good news for Dorothy on her hole-in-one. Seems that even though the player's handbook states that every hole except number 2 is eligible for the car, the tournament sponsors says it is a misprint. Have no idea how they're going to sort that one out.