Sunday: One thing about missing the cut, you're at the next tournament site before you know it. I left at 6 AM, took the scenic route to avoid D.C., and just under four hundred miles later arrived at the Ho Jo's in Clifton NJ. It's only 2-3 miles from the course so fighting the traffic is a non-issue.

• Memories: The course was closed to members so caddies, qualifiers and early arrivals had free run to do their homework. Back in the "dark ages" of my toting tenure, this venue availed itself to my first win with Donna White via a play-off with Debbie Massey in 1980. It was so long ago, only a few holes managed to jog my memory. Of course the first, where we won it, immediately came to mind. Debbie was insistent on hitting the driver over the objections of her caddie Jeremiah O'Malley. She knocked it into the left bunker, was blocked by a huge tree, missed her approach to the right and failed to get it up-n-down. We teed off with a three wood, hit nine iron and two putted for the win. I think.

As I walked through the practice round of Natalie Tucker and Kelly Cap, a conversation with their caddie discovered he was in the group behind us during that last round in '80. That's scary.

It was difficult to assess what the playing conditions may be as the greens are poa annua and were quite long but if they scalp 'em a bit, they will be treacherous. Also, the tree lined fairways will have many longing for the open spaces of most courses we play while trying to negotiate the lumber.

Monday: A morning and afternoon pro-am along with the qualifier (on the same course) were scheduled for today which is an unusual trick and a first. The AM event was a shotgun and PM changed from a shotgun to tee times and the qualifier went off both tees before the afternoon pro-am. It all worked out but we were the last group and finished very late.

• Mr. Know-it-all: That's what we could have called Ronnie, one of the local loopers in our group. With all the knowledge of residing as a club caddie, I wondered how he could be consistently way off on the yardage.  Maybe he'll invest in a yardage book but I wouldn't bet on it.

Tuesday: Played nine holes then called it a day. The lack of rain has the fairways and greens running out but that may change tomorrow as rain is expected.

• Thanks for the help: I've seen some strange things in a pro-am (like the time one of our guys teed the ball up in the fairway and no one noticed but me) but Monday's peculiarity is one for the books. On the 12th hole, everyone seemed to hit a poor to mediocre tee shot but we found a ball in perfect position right down the middle. After hitting to the green, the ball remained sitting there as they all thought it was someone else's. Kim and I determined it must have been from the 13th tee and was abandoned.

Wednesday: Kim played in an off-site pro-am so I took advantage and headed for The Big Apple. Actually, I tagged along with Dina and Jeff Steffler, after making an inquiry concerning their plans, and we were on our way by noon. We originally planned to take the train but were persuaded that the bus would be a better option with the Park-n-Ride just down the street. Of course, if there were any spaces open to park in it would have been an excellent idea but after circling both lots, and not finding a one, the third option of the strip mall lot down the block kicked in.

Our next task was to purchase tickets through the automated dispenser but failure to decipher the instructions resulted in the wrong ones. Not to fear, the bus driver took cash and assured a refund once we arrived at The Port Authority. He was on the money but we were admonished to "keep away from those machines " (in a friendly tone) which started our excursion with a chuckle. Dina and I got a jump start with a cup of java and  off we went.

We figured a trip up The Empire State Building was in order and headed in that direction after spotting its towering spire through the picket fence of concrete and steel. A bee line it was not as a  diversion to Times Square, a shopping trip to Modell's Sporting Goods for some Yankee paraphernalia, a stop to see the biggest wheel of cheese displayed in Grand Central Station and grabbing a slice at Pizza Rustica broke up our quest. At one time I looked back and witnessed a feat of dexterity I could not previously have imagined. There was Dina, zigzagging  through the crowd, gabbing on her cell while balancing her cup o' joe and lighting a cigarette. Outstanding!

Traversing along the towering canyon walls while using our internal compasses, we finally arrived but something was amiss. It just didn't look right. Where were the lines of tourists? Noticing a wall of photos and information, we moseyed over for a closer look. Seems our compasses needed recalibrating cause this was The Chrysler Building and not The Empire State! After some affable instructions by the man in charge (New Yorkers are the friendliest people ) we were off once more. This time, two blocks down and eight to the left should have us at the foot of our destination.

We finally made it and the dreaded perpetual wait was non-existent. After posing for the revenue enhancing group photo (which we purchased upon our exit), and opting for the audio player to heighten our experience, straight to the top we went.

It was a glorious view despite a haze that stretched forever. It may have been caused by the raging new Jersey wild fires or the eight million inhabitants but never the less it still was a spectacular sight.

Our next stop, or so we thought, was Greenwich Village (via the subway) but wound up in China Town. We believed another set of amicable directions had us one stop too far or on the wrong line but never the less, it was adjacent to Little Italy which would be Dina's favorite stop. We exited at the Canal St. station and started dodging rain drops searching for a temporary oasis. We found it at La Mela Restaurant where Dina dined on tortellini (an excellent choice) but it was a bit early for Jeff and me so a couple brews and a tomato with mozzarella appetizer sufficed. The plan was to meet one of Jeff's buds who lived in Manhattan but he too missed the stop and had to retrace his steps. By then, Dina was toast so we departed and left Jeff to reunite with his friend.

This was my first trip ever to the city and if you've never been, you're missing quite an experience. It should definitely be on the top of your to-do list.

Oh, I forgot. Did you expect a few pictures of our travels? Don't fret, took plenty but need time for editing. They'll be a link on the home page titled "The Big Apple" when they're ready.

Addendum: During the storm, lightning zapped The Empire State Building which was captured for the news. Check this out.

Thursday: Holed five birds but countered them with a like number of bogies. Shot level.

Friday: Eskimo garb was the fashion statement this morning as low temperatures and brisk winds greeted our smiling faces upon arrival. A snowball fight instead of a round of golf would have been more appropriate. Kim's muscles just can't loosen up in such conditions and it showed. Shot +6 and nary a bird in sight.

• Eat up, but not here: Kim was gracious enough to let me have a clubhouse badge that availed the player hospitality area for my meal consumption. This morning was my first time and a conspicuous absence of my fellow caderos and even players had me wondering. It was not until I was asked for my name (to be billed to my membership) did I realize I was in the wrong dining room. The bacon and eggs were tasty none the less.

• Worth a look see: A rep for Sun Mountain Sports was handing out gratis RainFlex jackets for the players earlier this week and Kim snatched one up without hesitation. This unique outerwear is waterproof, breathable, quiet and even stretches. Kim wore it today and gives it an A+ rating. Even though it didn't rain as predicted, I heard a few of the PGA pros made the rep go into the shower for proof of its precipitation protection and it past without a hitch. It's even less expensive then its vaunted Gortex competitors.

• They're up: The pics of our trip to the city that is. Click here or check the home page.

Saturday: With the day off and only two miles down the road, I thought another helping of the free eats was in order. Started off with a bowl of crab bisque, a scoop of pasta primavera, swordfish in a cream sauce and steamed veggies. Finished it off with a couple "death by chocolate" mini-bars topped with a raspberry drizzle. Yes, it was as good as it sounds.

• There's more: Added a few more pics from our trip. How could I forget "the big cheese"?

• They're getting younger all the time: Maggie Will had to pre-qualify for The Open and was among the youngest group of contestants she could remember. One parent was so impressed with her game he queried on her status in college. "I'm a budding sophomore" she replied, playing along. "You're going to be good" he retorted. Maggie, what's that miracle face cream your using? I need some quick.

• Will work for ? While making a pit stop at the port-a-john near the putting green, I noticed the "Serviced by" list contained some familiar names. Cowboy, Doug Wilbur, Schiffer and Rick Ried must be moonlighting. Guess times are tough.

Sunday: One of our easier drives is up to Corning so naturally, I stopped in for one last meal on the house before departing. Arrived at Corning C. C. around noon-thirty and conversed with Lisa Kiggens-D'Amore in the pro shop. She'll be taking next week off to work for Dina and her hubby will be toting for Clarissa Childs. Think it would be more than just happenstance if you seem them paired in the same group?

• What are we, chopped liver? The pro-am should have one reason for being and that is to the entertain amateurs. No matter if they plopped down their own cash, on a free ride from a guest or one of the sponsors themselves, they are priority number one but it seems a few pros don't see it that way. I heard there were complaints lodged against four players for not doing just that. Picking shots that they would use in the tournament instead of what's best for the team or just ignoring them altogether are a couple of accusations that I learned of.

• Who'll  be the first? Natalie Tucker, Mikaela Parmlid and Ji Young Oh chalked up four notches on their allotted nine slow play timings for the year in the first two rounds this week. Once you reach ten, it's $2500 out of your pocket and another grand for every time after. You would like to space them out a little better than that.