On September 11, 2001 I was working in Chicago.   The TVs in our lobby showed the South Tower collapse as people came into the office at 9 a.m. CST.  No one made it to their desk that morning - we all turned around and went home - scared, shaken and many of us grateful we didn't live in New York.  Ten years later I am glad I live here and proud to be part of your continuing tradition to honor the memories of your friend, John Doherty.  Saturday I was lucky enough to play my Doherty round with Danny LoParco who knew John well and took the time to share his recollections of their time together.  The Doherty Cup was good, competitive fun - and the first time in months I've seen so many of us together at the Club.  Now that I know a little about John, enjoying golf with friends and donating to charity seem like the perfect ways to keep his name alive. 

In case you didn't already know, or hadn't already guessed - 2011 is officially the wettest year on record for New York City.  Not only did August blow away all the records, but  Lee's contribution in September put us 10% ahead of the next closest year-to-date totals from 1972 and 1983.  Both of those years earned their notoriety with heavy snowfalls and soggy springs, not hurricane deluges.  Nothing in the 135 years of collected data has come close to our 27" of rain in the last six weeks.  And we didn't miss a Saturday of play.  Nice.

With Thursday's rain the Westchester County Senior Championship got postponed until Sept 15th.  Greens will be appropriately fast next weekend and then aerated starting the following Monday.  Take advantage of the nice rolls while they're here.

Did you notice no men's PGA tour event on TV this weekend?  No, I didn't either.  How much longer 'till the Maters?  Speaking of the Masters, I won the Lottery.  Sort of.  I have the chance to buy four tickets to the Wednesday practice round.  Not sure that I'd go through all the logistics of Augusta at tournament time for a practice round, but if anyone else has plans to be in the South next April let me know.

Hammer and Andy have put off their final 18 of the Club Championship Finals until at least Sept 24th.  

Last week I asked about alternative endings for big tournaments.  Mike Sakala suggested we had existing rules that went back to scores on the final three holes, not just #18.  DiLeo suggested an extension of play at a future date - as did Chris Paul who added a sudden death face off on the driving range.  I'm not sure what the answer is, but I think it's worth asking Charlie/Mike/Bob about squeezing a twosome out for, say, three extra holes after they walk off 18.  Gotta be somthing $20 could fix for the really big matches.

This Week At A Glance

From the First Tee	Saturday, September 17th	Play This Week
	First Tee Time: 6:50    Forecast: Sunny with a Fall chill	First Round of the Memorial   Weekly:  Birdie Master

Reminders - everyone's Sept 15-31 handicap is on the Tee Times/Handicaps page; All members' contact info is in the Members Only section (hints to username/password on the page itself or on the Club Championship draws.)