They Have No Gators in Their Belfry

Owners of The Belfry golf course in Sutton Coldfield, England, have spent $3.75 million in improving the course for the Sept. 24-26 Ryder Cup matches between Europe and the United States.

However, the owners of The Belfry have decided not to bring in alligators to make the Americans feel at home. Alligators were visible during the last Cup competition at Kiawah Island, S.C., in 1991.

The owners had considered putting the alligators in the lake in front of the 18th hole.

“We got a couple from a local zoo, but we were told they wouldn’t last 12 hours in the lake,” said Mike Maloney, general manger of The Belfry. “It would be too cold for them--even in the middle of summer.”

Trivia time: Besides the two seasons when they did not make the playoffs (1974-75, 1975-76), when was the last time the Lakers failed to win a playoff game?

Kiper critic: When Seattle made Notre Dame quarterback Rick Mirer the second selection of Sunday’s NFL draft, ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. called the pick a “reach.”

Michael Wilbon of the Washington Post writes: “I’ll tell you what a reach is. A reach is thinking this guy is a draft expert. I can get more correct picks from Dionne Warwick’s 1-900 Psychic Connection line than from Mel Kiper Jr.”

Think again: Dana Stubblefield, a defensive tackle from Kansas and a first-round selection by the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL draft, told the San Francisco Chronicle:

“I’d like to tackle Herschel Walker because he’s got big thighs and big legs, and I like hitting big backs like him.”

Dana, big backs like Walker hit back.

Tiger armada: Dave Kindred of the Sporting News, writing on the power-hitting Detroit Tiger threesome of Cecil Fielder, Rob Deer and Mickey Tettleton:

“These mighty men of mayhem tip the Toledos to a farthewell. They also are pretty big guys: This big: tall ships have circled the globe under sails smaller than FD & T’s snowy white uniforms.”

Patchwork: Seattle Mariner Manager Lou Piniella, discussing New York Yankee owner George Steinbrenner’s methods: “George is always trying to patch up the tire when the car needs a new set of wheels.”

Trivia answer: In the 1966-67 season, when they lost in three games to the San Francisco Warriors.

Quotebook: Atlanta General Manager Pete Babcock, on why the Hawks’ Dominique Wilkins seems to be peaking at age 33: “I suppose no one has exposed him to kryptonite yet.”