This Course Is the Loser by a Landslide

When the 18th hole of the new Ocean Trails golf course in Rancho Palos Verdes slid down a bluff toward the ocean last week, it caught the attention of comedy writer Jerry Perisho.

“The 18th fairway now has a 26,000-acre sand trap and water hazard that stretches all the way to Japan, but everyone gets to hit from the ladies’ tee,” he said.

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Trivia time: Shaquille O’Neal’s teams have been swept four times in the NBA playoffs. How many times were Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Lakers swept?

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Changing times: The Cowboys’ hold on the Dallas sports fans isn’t seriously threatened, but the NHL Stars’ tickets are being snapped up and fans have attached Star flags to their cars.

“It’s been amazing to all of us,” Star defenseman Craig Ludwig said of the atmosphere during the drive to the Stanley Cup finals. “I can remember the first few years here, I’d turn on the TV and there would be nothing. You’d look at the paper, and maybe there would be something in the back. Now, it seems like we’re the lead story.”

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How’s that? Chicago Bear offensive coach Gary Crowton, discussing quarterback Cade McNown, a first-round draft pick from UCLA:

“He’s about the size of a lot of guys that size.”

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No kidding: Golfer Rich Beem, after winning his first PGA Tour event, the Kemper Open: “Golf is a simple game when you play it well.”

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Diamond hero: Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire dolls are in for some competition from a female doll, if you can believe that.

Major League Baseball Barbie, complete with a miniature genuine Wilson glove, a Rawlings ball and a wooden Louisville Slugger bat, made her debut in a Dodger uniform this month.

So what if she is 40 and stands only 11.5 inches tall.

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Looking back: On this day in 1933, Johnny Goodman of Omaha won the U.S. Open golf title, the last amateur to win the event.

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Good as any: Where is the International Bobsledding Federation holding this year’s congress?

In Jamaica, where Boston Globe columnist John Powers says, “The only ice is in the Planter’s punch. Cool runnings, mon.”

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Greedy: Kansas City Royal shortstop Rey Sanchez was 0 for 20 when he singled--then was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double.

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Par busters: The last three of women’s golf majors have been won by scores of 18 under par at the du Maurier, 19 under at the Dinah Shore and 16 under at the U.S. Open.

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Trivia answer: Three--1977 by Portland, 1983 by Philadelphia and 1989 by Detroit.

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And finally: When A.J. Foyt was asked on ABC television how he felt after his driver, Kenny Brack, had won the Indianapolis 500, Foyt gushed, “I’m so wonderful.”

Michael Vega of the Boston Globe explained, “He probably meant to say, ‘I feel so wonderful.’ ”

Maybe not, Mike, maybe not.