Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho, It’s Off to the Golf Course They Go

Mark McCumber, who won the Tour Championship Sunday at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, and runner-up Fuzzy Zoeller have a seemingly casual approach to golf.

They whistle while they play.

“We haven’t heard so much whistling since they tried to get Lassie to eat dinner,” said ABC television commentator Brent Musburger.

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Add golf: Scott Ostler in the San Francisco Chronicle on Brad Bryant, who finished third in the tournament:

“Bryant seemed intimidated by the big city, said he was afraid to venture out of his San Francisco hotel for fear of getting lost, and it was probably just as well because he is from Amarillo, Tex., where the definition of ‘alternative lifestyle’ is a guy who whittles left-handed.”

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Trivia time: How many losing seasons has Joe Paterno had since he began coaching at Penn State in 1966?

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Tattoo time: Anfernee Hardaway of the Orlando Magic has a bulldog on his left calf. “I figured it described my game,” he said.

Matt Geiger of the Miami Heat has “carpe diem” emblazoned on his left calf, which is Latin for “seize the day.”

Said Geiger: “It sums up how I like to live.”

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NBA today: George Karl, Seattle SuperSonic coach, on dissatisfied Kendall Gill seeking more playing time:

“I can see the headlines now, ‘Gill gets new six-year, guaranteed, 32-minute-per-game contract.’ ”

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Motivation: Dennis Smith, Denver Bronco safety, on why it’s important for the team to improve:

“You’ve got to keep fighting to win so you can walk around town and not have to stay indoors all the time.”

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Aging sport: Ron Borges in the Boston Globe: “If you’re wondering how Larry Holmes (age 45) managed to end up with a date to fight World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Oliver McCall Jan. 21, it’s obvious.

“Jack Dempsey wasn’t available.”

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Pro attitude: Barry Sanders of the Detroit Lions on why he doesn’t spike the ball after scoring touchdowns:

“I guess I’m kind of tired and want to get to the sideline and have a seat, get rested.”

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Career change? Paul Westphal, Phoenix Sun coach, commenting on Billy Crystal’s role as a referee in “Forget Paris,” an upcoming film:

“He’d make a better referee as an actor than some of the guys who are paid in this league.”

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History lesson: Bob Knight, Indiana coach, when asked about the Big Ten’s balance in basketball:

“There are more . . . good players and teams than virtually any place. It’s been that way since before even I played here--in the Dark Ages.”

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Trivia answer: Only one. The Nittany Lions went 5-6 in 1988.

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Quotebook: Bob Kravitz in the Rocky Mountain News: “Honest, I always thought the National Hockey League regular season was too long, anyway.”