"Terrible!"

That, in a word, has been the effect of the U.S. Open on Oakmont's businesses, said Diane Hulton of the borough's chamber of commerce.

Despite predictions that the U.S. Open would bring more than $59.7 million to the regional economy, the businesses in Oakmont itself haven't seen much of that green. News media warnings of clogged streets and impossible parking, combined with a traffic plan that shuttles golf-watchers straight from satellite lots to Oakmont Country Club, have kept the central district barren.

"The businesses in town are suffering, and I can't seem to do anything about it," Ms. Hulton said. Despite a shuttle running between the course and the town, few Open-goers have ventured to take it, she said.

"This is a ghost town," said Carol D'Imperio, manager of Mae's Hallmark, a gift and card shop. Even though a big red sign in the front advertises extended hours till 8 p.m., "we closed at 7:30 yesterday," Ms. D'Imperio said. "It was not worth staying open." Even the regulars were staying away, she said.

That was an opinion shared by Joanne Bayer, daylight manager at What's Cookin' at Casey's, a popular restaurant. Business is still slightly depressed, she said, but "the first few days, nobody came, not even the regulars."

"It was very disappointing," said Rose Henry, one of the owners of the restaurant, who had hoped for crowds last weekend.

Not every business has suffered. Barbara Berkowitz, owner of Brr-Kee's, an ice cream shop, was almost jubilant as she bustled around her establishment.

"Since Saturday, I have been doing record sales," she said. "I have been swamped. I'm overwhelmed, almost."

Mark Serrao, owner of the Oakmont Bakery, was happy about the U.S. Open too, but that's because he's supplying most of the pastries to tournament events. He's doubled his staff for the week, and is running back and forth to the golf course several times a day to take fresh goodies to the events.

The generally disappointed tone of business owners in Oakmont is in line with past studies of sporting events. Those studies showed that sales tax revenue in Texas and California cities that hosted the baseball All-Star games was actually lower than it would regularly have been.

Despite electronic signs leading into Oakmont that warn visitors of terrible traffic and parking, space was abundant yesterday and, according to Ms. Henry, "everyone says it's the fastest they've ever gotten around."

"People have gotten the impression of a huge disaster out here," said Richard Goldman, co-owner of the Mystery Lovers Bookshop, "... which hasn't happened.

"The whole thing reminds me of that famous Yogi Berra line," he said. "Nobody goes there anymore -- it's too crowded."