Danger Often Lurks in the Bermuda Grass

First, golfers blithely play around a green upon which lies the body of a heart-attack victim, now this: a golfer’s tee shot is responsible for causing an automobile accident.

The New York Court of Appeals this week threw out a lawsuit in which a golfer was being sued for a “poorly hit tee shot” that hit the windshield of a car, causing an accident that left the passenger with a back injury.

In its ruling, the court recognized that golf is a game of good intentions but frequently failed attempts.

“Although the object of the game . . . is to drive the ball as cleanly and directly as possible toward its ultimate intended goal, the possibility that the ball will fly off in another direction is a risk inherent in the game,” Judge Vito Titone wrote in the unanimous decision.

Add golf danger: The Buffalo, N.Y., case had been clouded, because both golfers in a twosome shanked their tee shots, causing the balls to land in a nearby roadway. Investigators were unable to determine which ball had caused the crash.

And, in a reference to the game’s increasing risk, the court said: “Even if defendants had shouted, ‘Fore!,’ the traditional golfer’s warning, it is unlikely that (the occupants of the car) would have heard.”

The case was further complicated by the death of one of the golfing defendants.

Trivia time: Based on opening day rosters, which college or university has produced the most current NFL players?

Bird watchers’ choice: The Phoenix Cardinals (4-8) have lost four games in a row and the NFL team’s drawing power--never particularly strong--has waned.

Witness a recent Sunday when the Cardinals were playing at home: an exhibition ostrich race in rural Chandler, Ariz., outdrew them.

Candid camera: Moments after Miami’s victory over Florida State a week ago, Miami linebacker Micheal Barrow confronted Seminole linebacker Marvin Jones, a Butkus Award finalist.

“Yo, brother, don’t ever underestimate us,” Barrow told Jones.

Barrow was alluding to comments made by Jones at a recent 2 Live Crew appearance in Tallahassee. The rap group’s lead singer, Luther Campbell, bragged about Miami during the appearance, prompting Jones, who was in the audience, to lash back.

Jones’ disparaging comments were secretly recorded and the videotape was promptly delivered to the Hurricanes. The Miami players, though, didn’t consider it America’s funniest home video.

“The reason (Jones) didn’t come to Miami is that he never would have seen the field,” Barrow said of the Seminole star.

Expecting trouble?The St. John’s Ambulance Brigade of London has some 80,000 members, all volunteering time to train in administering first aid at English soccer events.

What do they know that we don’t?

No steel curtain: The team-we’d-love-to-cover award goes to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The late Art Rooney founded it and established its legacy of openness with the public and the media.

In the old days, Rooney was known to delay the departure of the team’s train to accommodate a reporter’s deadline.

Even today, the team’s daily practices are open to the media, as is the locker room.

Trivia answer: USC, with 37. (Equal time: UCLA is third with 30.)

Quotebook: Minnesota Timberwolves Coach Jimmy Rodgers, after his team had dropped to 1-7 with a 101-91 loss to Seattle: “I have two words to say--we stunk. Other than that, I can’t evaluate that game.”