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Phillies 4, Cubs 2

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Times wires
Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Phillies 4, Cubs 2

CHICAGO — Michael Martinez hit a tiebreaking two-run double with two outs in the ninth inning, and Philadelphia rallied. Starlin Castro's two-run homer off Cliff Lee in the first held up until the Phillies chased former Ray Matt Garza in the eighth. Chase Utley tied it with a two-run double off Sean Marshall. With runners on first and second in the ninth, Martinez blooped a double off Sean Marshall.


Astros 7, Nationals 6

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Times wires
Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Astros 7, Nationals 6

HOUSTON — Clint Barmes homered and drove in three runs and Michael Bourn added three RBIs to help starter J.A. Happ break a seven-game losing streak for Houston. Happ labored through 52/3 innings but broke his career-long skid and won for the first time since May 14.

Blue Jays 6, Mariners 5, 14 innings

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Times wires
Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Blue Jays 6, Mariners 5

14 innings

TORONTO — Rajai Davis stole two bases then scored on John McDonald's sacrifice fly in the 14th, and Toronto handed Seattle its 10th straight loss, the Mariners' longest slide since a 12-game skid in 2008.

Rockies 12, Braves 3

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Times wires
Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Rockies 12, Braves 3

DENVER — Ubaldo Jimenez stifled Atlanta's powerful bats, and Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez homered for Colorado. The Rockies beat the Braves for the first time in six tries this month and contained rookie Freddie Freeman, who entered 10-for-19 with five homers against them.

Brewers 11, D'backs 3

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Times wires
Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Brewers 11, D'backs 3

PHOENIX — Ryan Braun hit the second of the Brewers' three first-inning home runs. Corey Hart and Yuniesky Betancourt also homered in the first for the Brewers, who have won three of four.

Giants 5, Dodgers 3

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Times wires
Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Giants 5, Dodgers 3

SAN FRANCISCO — Brandon Belt hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the seventh in his first game back in the majors to lead the Giants. Belt, called up from Triple A to give slumping first baseman Aubrey Huff a rest, homered in his first at-bat. He was retired his next two trips to the plate then lined a bases-loaded double down the leftfield line off reliever Hong-Chih Kuo.

Tampa Bay Lightning agrees to two-year deal with wing Teddy Purcell

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman was pleased he was able to come to an agreement with wing Teddy Purcell on a two-year, $4.725 million deal Wednesday morning and avoid the uncertainty of an arbitration hearing.

But Yzerman cut it close.

Yzerman said he and Purcell's agent, Kent Hughes, spoke at length Tuesday night but didn't come to an agreement until a few minutes before the scheduled 9 a.m. hearing in Toronto.

"It was," Hughes said, "down to the wire."

With the risk involved in allowing an arbitrator to rule, Yzerman said both sides compromised on a deal that will pay Purcell $2.35 million this season and $2.375 million in 2012-2013.

"Both sides were pretty confident that we didn't want to go to arbitration," Purcell said. "So it was nice we didn't have to go through that nasty process."

Purcell, 25, who made $750,000 last season, is coming off a breakout season in which he racked up career highs of 17 goals and 34 assists in 81 games. He also had a strong postseason with 17 points in 18 games, elevating his game and earning a spot among the top-six forwards.

"He was given an opportunity, and he took advantage of it," Yzerman said.

"And I think there's more potential there."

While Purcell, acquired from the Kings for Jeff Halpern in March 2010, always had the offensive skill — great hands and a quick shot — it was how he improved his compete level, raising his assertiveness and grit, that helped him put it all together.

And along with his expanded wallet, Purcell is expected to have an expanded role this season with Yzerman saying he's capable of getting stronger and playing in all situations.

"I believe he already has an excellent hockey sense, very good skills and very good vision on the ice," Yzerman said. "It was his first full year in the NHL; still a relatively young guy, improved his power and, in turn, I think the experience he had last year gives him more confidence that if you train hard and get more power you can see the benefits of that on the ice. You become more well-rounded.

"I'd like to see him be used in more situations. He has to go out and try to prove to the coaches, 'I'm ready for more responsibility. I'm ready for more ice time, and I can do it on a regular basis.' "

With Purcell signed and star center Steven Stamkos agreeing to a five-year, $37.5 million deal Tuesday, that likely completes the offseason moves for the Lightning. The signings bring its salary cap payroll to $59,326,083, $4,973,917 below the limit of $64.3 million.

"We've got guys that have an opportunity to make this team (in training camp); namely up front," Yzerman said.

"But is our roster set? Yes."

Florida Gators to open 2011 football season with a night game

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By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 20, 2011

If you're one of those people who attended the Florida Gators' season-opener last year at high noon in September and thought "never again", you're in luck.

Florida will open the season on Sept. 3 against Florida Atlantic at 7 p.m., at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

The game, which will mark the debut of head coach Will Muschamp, will be televised on ESPNU.

Florida's Sept. 10 game against UAB will also be at 7 p.m., on FSN.

And the Gators will host Tennessee at 3:30 on Sept. 17 on CBS.


Mouth guard rinse aims to clean up sports

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By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, July 20, 2011

TAMPA — Joe Theismann knows a thing or two about football.

In a career that featured a pair of All Pro selections and an NFL Offensive Player of the Year award, the former Super Bowl-winning Washington Redskin quarterback has plenty of good memories to reflect on.

Some, however, he wouldn't mind forgetting.

"I'd never even heard of trench mouth before," Theismann said. "It wasn't any fun, that's for sure."

Theismann, then a rookie with the CFL's Toronto Argonauts in 1971, played a game against the Montreal Alouettes the night after their stadium had been used for a livestock show. Throughout the game dirt got all over Theismann — including in his mouth.

"Trench mouth is hoof and mouth disease," he said. "And it's every bit as ugly as it sounds."

The disease is a severe bacterial infection characterized by bleeding and inflammation of the gums. It can also cause ulcers, fever and fatigue. It was this experience that led Theismann to become the national spokeman for a new product called Defense Sport Mouthguard Rinse.

"When I played, I never really thought much about things like keeping mouth guards sanitary," he said. "But you see guys drop them on the ground, put them in their socks or helmet. They get filthy."

Al DolceAmore, president and founder of SaniBrands Inc., observed the way football players treated their mouth guards and has spent the past three years developing the rinse. DolceAmore said his product is the first and only of its kind on the market. The rinse, which is dispensed through a squirt bottle, cleans and removes dirt and bacteria from the mouth guard.

"I watched all these players, whether it was in football or lacrosse or whatever, and how dirty their mouth guards would get," he said. "I thought 'This can't be good.' "

So DolceAmore, who works for a clinical research company, began working with a chemist to devise a rinse for mouth guards. After three years of tinkering, DolceAmore launched the product three weeks ago to rave reviews at June's National Athletic Trainer Association annual meeting.

"The response was unbelievable," he said. "Every trainer who came by the booth said this is a product that is needed."

The active ingredient in the patent-pending rinse is chlorhexidine gluconate, a compound found in mouthwashes.

"Lab results show these mouth guards get everything from dirt to animal feces to sputum to DNA on them from the ground and throughout games," DolceAmore said. "I mean if you drop a fork on the ground, you don't use it do you?"

With youth football starting up around the county, Brandon Cowboys Athletic Director Jason Johnson said sanitation training is at the forefront.

"We preach hygiene to the kids all the time," he said. "It's something we take very seriously out here."

But theory and application can sometimes be two vastly different things for football players as young as 5.

"A lot of times they just take their equipment and throw it in their bag after practice, along with their mouth piece," Johnson said. "Even though we tell them the right things to do, they don't always do it."

Although Johnson said he thinks the rinse is "a great idea," he isn't sure whether the product will catch on with youth players.

"At this age, I'm not sure it would work," he said. "They may use it once or twice, but I think they'll forget it or leave it somewhere when they come off the field."

The NFL's Oakland Raiders have already placed an order with DolceAmore, and he hopes to have the product in retail stores by the end of the summer. But DolceAmore said the rinse is also ideal for players of any age.

"We always tell kids to wash their hands and sanitize," DolceAmore said. "Back in my day mouth guards were 75 cents, and now some range from $65 to $100, so you can't afford to just throw them away and get a new one."

From wagon wheels to stagecoaches, Dade City's Triple S Golf Ranch is one quirky course

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By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 20, 2011

DADE CITY — The most common word used to describe last week's British Open course, Royal St. George's, was "quirky." Rolling hills in the fairway, bunkers that resembled craters, rough made from sea grasses. Quirky, quirky, quirky.

Puh-lease.

You want quirky? You want hills and critters in the fairway? You want wagon wheels and stagecoaches in the rough? You want no bunkers at all?

Try the Triple S Golf Ranch.

Now that's quirky.

Located right off U.S. 301, the Triple S Golf Ranch is no country club. It's just country. Take out the word golf, and it easily could be the Triple S Ranch. It has rolling hills, 100-year-old oak trees and one large lake in the middle.

In fact, on the western side of the course, cows graze on a neighboring farm. Only a wooden fence and a row of trees separate cow pasture from golf course.

"I've heard us called quirky,'' Triple S general manager Nancy Smith said. "That's fine with us. We like that.''

All in the family

The course used to be called Town-n-Country Golf Course. In April 2004, the Smith family took over and changed the name. Jim Smith bought the course. Nancy is his sister-in-law. Nancy's husband, Lon Smith, is the superintendent. Another brother, Richard, works on the grounds crew with nephew Matt Howe.

That's the entire Triple S staff.

"We're all family around here,'' Nancy Smith said. "We can all do everything. I can change the cups on the green if I have to or mow fairways. And they can work the register.''

The clubhouse is located at the end of the entrance and left of the dirt parking lot (of course) and cart/tractor barn. If it looks like a trailer, that's because it is.

You will find no fancy bar and grill. No fully stocked pro shop with the latest putters and drivers. But you can buy boiled peanuts or Slim Jims. Let's see Innisbrook or TPC Tampa Bay do that!

"We're pretty relaxed around here,'' Nancy Smith said.

Nothing complicated

The Ranch doesn't take itself too seriously. Want to play in jeans and a T-shirt? Fine. Want to play in tennis shoes and a cowboy hat? No problem. Dress like a country club golfer around here and they'll think you're putting on airs.

Each hole on the front nine is named after a famous character from the Wild West such as Butch Cassidy and Buffalo Bill. Each hole on the back nine is named after a famous Native American such as Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse.

The names are engraved in wood and hang from the hole markers.

"We had a member make those for us a few years ago,'' Nancy Smith said. "They asked if they could put them up on the course, and we said, 'Sure, why not?' ''

Another nod to the Wild West is stagecoaches and wagon wheels set up between fairways. There are also wagon wheels set up beside the road leading into the course. Jim Smith bought them one by one from a vendor in North Carolina.

The layout is simple. It is a full-length, par-71 course that has tree-lined fairways and elevation. Some of the fairways slope severely. But there are no sand traps and no rough. Because there is no irrigation in the fairways, it uses natural grasses and can get brown during the dry season. This time of year, it is green.

All the way around the course, it is easy to see how the Smiths keep it simple. The cart paths are made of dirt. The flags are just basic yellow. Signs about carts and ground under repair are handwritten. You want your ball washed? Put it in the lake, city boy.

Golf on a budget

It is hard to spend a lot of money at the Triple S Golf Ranch. The average greens fee is less than $20 during the summer. After noon, it's $12, and after 2, it's $10. Kids 12 and younger are free as are those older than 90. Active military with proper ID also can play for free.

Despite the cheap fees, Nancy Smith said things have been slow this summer.

"I've had people tell me it's either use the $10 for gas or use it to play golf,'' she said. "Times are tough right now.''

There are still all kinds of players with different skill levels on any given day.

"It's easy to come out here and play at your own pace,'' said Jim Renault of Dade City, who was playing with his 7-year-old grandson, Grant Pitchford. "You don't usually have anybody pushing you. It's a nice layout. There aren't a lot of places like this where you can take somebody like Grant who is just starting from scratch.''

At the other end of the spectrum is fivesome Juanita Kelly, Jan Balluff, Shirley McAndrew, Mickey Stinson and Pat Huntress. Balluff is the youngster at 76. The others are in their 80s.

Most courses wouldn't allow a fivesome in the middle of the day. The Ranch isn't most courses.

"We play out here two or three times a week,'' Stinson, 87, said. "It's a great place for us to play. We love it.''

For a video review of the Triple S Golf Ranch, go to golf.tampabay.com.

Healthy lineup means healthy results for FC Tampa Bay

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By Bryan Burns, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 20, 2011

TAMPA

The vibe around the Shimberg Complex, the training home for FC Tampa Bay, has been decidedly more positive in recent weeks. And not just because Tampa Bay is unbeaten in its past five games and on a two-match winning streak. For the first time since the start of the season, the team is close to full strength. Midfielder Chad Burt (right foot) said he's close to match ready and hopes to be available Wednesday when Tampa Bay hosts FC Edmonton at Al Lang Field in St. Petersburg.

Takuya Yamada (groin) was used as a second-half substitute in the team's road victory over Edmonton and hasn't been limited in practice this week. Fellow Japanese midfielder Tsuyoshi Yoshitake (hamstring) isn't practicing with the team yet but is day-to-day.

Even midfielder Jeremy Christie looks to get back in the fold soon. The New Zealand national team player said he is targeting a full return in a couple of weeks.

"I think early on in the season, we had so many injuries, so many lineup changes that we didn't really have an identity and we struggled," said assistant coach David Hayes, who took over as head coach Sunday at Edmonton and will do so again Saturday at Atlanta while Ricky Hill is away due to the death of a family member. "Now that we're starting to get in a rhythm, we're starting to get guys back and healthy and get a consistent lineup and understanding of each other, it's starting to come together."

On Saturday, Tampa Bay plays Atlanta, which has won just twice this season. Tampa Bay tied the Silverbacks 1-1 in April and won 3-2 in June.

"Every point from here on out is going to be crucial," Hayes said. "I've been in the league long enough to know that one point makes a big difference."

Tampa Bay is fifth in the NASL standings with 21 points but just five points behind second-place Puerto Rico.

Kickin' it with | MF/D Justin Morrow

Morrow joined Tampa Bay on loan from the MLS's San Jose Earthquakes on July 14 and has appeared in two games (he also came to Tampa Bay last season on loan). The 23-year-old will rejoin San Jose after Saturday's game at Atlanta.

How does this year's Tampa Bay squad compare to last year's?

In just the short period of time I've been here, I can tell there's a huge difference. About half the guys are the same. In just the two games I've played, I've seen a difference in the style that they play, and I think it's an improvement for sure.

What are the differences between training in Tampa Bay and San Jose?

You've got to take care of your body (in Tampa Bay), always hydrating a lot more, especially when you're in Florida in the middle of the summer. It's so hot. You sweat out pounds of water here.

What did you think of the Lebron James decision? (Morrow is from Cleveland and lists the Cavaliers as his favorite sports team)

I was fine with him leaving, I just thought the way that he did it was disappointing. … I don't know how welcome he is there, but he did great things for the city.

Arango recognized by NASL

Tampa Bay's Andres Arango was named defender of the week by the NASL. Arango, left, is the fifth Tampa Bay player to win one of the league's weekly awards and the third defender, joining goalkeepers Daryl Sattler and Jeff Attinella.

Recreation notebook: BMX racing has become a family affair

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By Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, July 20, 2011

A couple of years ago, Spring Hill resident Tyler Knight, now 12, was thrilled to be among the best BMX racers in the sport. Now, his sister, Madison, is the same age he was then — 10 — and is just getting into the competitive side of riding.

Tyler, still one of the top class riders, recently competed at the state championships in both the 12 Cruiser and 12 Expert divisions and placed third and eighth, respectively. He has big-name sponsors such as Monster Energy Drink and EVS Sports assisting his efforts — rare for a racer his age.

Madison, a straight-A student at Challenger K-8 School of Science and Mathematics, used to tag along and sometimes ride her BMX on the track while Tyler practiced, but she never really considered competing until recently.

In November 2010, she rode in her first sanctioned race and has been on a bike ever since, competing in eight local races and 10 state qualifiers. She even competed at the state championships in the 10 Challenger division, placing fifth.

"Sometimes people fall and break their bones, and one time I fell and broke my bike," Madison said, "but I don't worry about that. I just have to get faster."

SPRING HILL DIXIE SOFTBALL: Spring Hill Dixie is sending two softball teams to the World Series in Louisiana.

Because of the costs associated with the trip, there is a great deal of fundraising to be done. The Debs and Angels will be holding a carwash at Chili's on U.S. 19 in Spring Hill from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. A percentage of proceeds from money spent in the restaurant will also be donated to the teams.

On the other side of town at Beef O'Brady's on County Line Road, starting at 4 p.m., the league will be holding a corn hole tournament, with proceeds going toward the trip. The registration fee is $10 per team. There is a possibility of two tournaments with $500 in prize money, based on the level of participation.

PBA SPRING HILL OPEN: Pro bowlers will be returning to Spring Hill Lanes this month for the 23rd-annual Spring Hill Open.

A stop on the Professional Bowlers Association Southern Region Tour, the tournament, which takes place July 29-31, is the only regular professional event in Hernando County.

In years past, it has featured some of the best bowlers in the sport, including Walter Ray Williams Jr., Jason Couch and Patrick Allen.

To start the weekend on July 29, local bowlers can compete alongside the pros in the nine-pin No-Tap Pro-Am.

For an entry fee of $17 for junior bowlers (youth league competitors), $25 for senior bowlers (age 55 or older) or $30 for all others, amateurs can bowl on the same lanes with three professionals. Winners will receive trophies, scholarships or cash prizes.

Starting July 30, about 125 of the tour's best bowlers will battle for the championship. The finals should start about 2 p.m. July 31.

Last season, St. Petersburg native and Tallahassee resident Richard Langton won the tournament for the first time, and he is expected to return to defend his crown.

For information, call Spring Hill Lanes at (352) 683-7272.

SENIOR SOFTBALL: The West Hernando Softball Club for Seniors League is looking for new members for the season that starts in September.

The league is open to players 55 and older. Games are played on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at Veterans Memorial Park in Spring Hill.

For information, call Tony Passanesi at (352) 686-6812.

MORE SENIOR SOFTBALL: The Senior Softball Invitational League will start its season in September and is looking for new players.

The league meets at 9:30 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at Veterans Memorial Park in Spring Hill.

The fee is $60 for approximately 40 games, and a player must be 50 or older.

For information, call Sal Ficarra at (352) 688-1605.

ACE PERFORMANCE TENNIS: Ace Performance Tennis is hosting two events this summer.

QuickStart Drills will be offered from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Mondays at Delta Woods Park in Spring Hill. The cost is $10 per class. There will be drills and games designed for beginning players, using USTA-approved strategies for 60-foot court players. Participants will learn to play tennis quickly with age- and size-appropriate equipment and modified courts.

Ladies Night Out will be offered from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays at Delta Woods Park. The cost is $10 per class. Women of beginning and intermediate skill levels will learn to play in a social setting.

For information, call John or Louise Downey at (352) 666-0658 or visit louisedowney.usptapro.com.

BROOKSVILLE BULLDOGS: The Brooksville Bulldogs are seeking players for the coming baseball season, which runs from September through February.

The team plays doubleheaders in Brooksville and tournaments in the Central Florida area. The two age divisions are 13-and-under and 14-and-under.

For information, call Bruce Price at (813) 714-1054 or send e-mail to bruce67price@hotmail.com.

UMPIRE CLINICS: The Hernando-Sumter Umpires Association has scheduled its annual baseball/softball umpires clinics.

The clinics are designed to train anyone who wants to become an umpire, and also can help seasoned umpires improve. Local clinics will take place at the Anderson Snow Sports Complex in Spring Hill on Aug. 21 and 28.

The sessions are open to men and women age 16 and older. Registration will begin at 12:30 p.m. each day, with the clinics starting at 1 p.m. There is a $20 charge for each participant, and everyone will receive a Major League Baseball rule book, along with other handouts.

Visit hernandosumterumpire.com to register. For information, call (352) 593-6998 or send e-mail to clinics@hernandosumterumpire.com.

ADULT BASKETBALL LEAGUE: The Brooksville Parks and Recreation Department is playing host to an adult basketball league at the Jerome Brown Community Center in Brooksville, beginning Aug. 23.

The league is open to participants 18 and older. Games will take place at 6:30, 7:45 and 9 p.m. on Tuesdays. The registration deadline is Aug. 12, and players will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $400 per team, with an eight-player minimum.

For information, call (352) 540-3835.

To notify us of community sports achievements or coming events, contact Derek J. LaRiviere at derekjlariviere@gmail.com or (352) 584-6337.

Tampa Bay Golf Tour

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Times staff, wires
Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Tampa Bay Golf Tour

Looking for one website for information on area public courses? Tampabay.com/golf has you covered. The site has all public regulation and executive courses in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties. Each course has a video review, breakdown of yardage, greens fees and contact information.

Number of the day

1 Canadian-born winner of the Canadian Open since the tournament's resumption in 1919 (after World War I), Pat Fletcher in 1954. Mike Weir, left, is the country's lone hope this weekend, but he has missed 11 of 14 cuts this year and broken 70 only once.

Tiger's assist to Clarke

Tiger Woods was thousands of miles away, but British Open champ Darren Clarke gave Woods some credit for helping him win. Clarke said Woods texted him advice that was "very much appreciated and helped when it came to believing that I could win."

Golf news and notes

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Times wires
Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Price eyes return to British Open

Nick Price hasn't played in the British Open since 2005, but he is thinking about returning next year at Lytham. Price, 54, finished second to Seve Ballesteros in 1988 there and won it in 1994 at Turnberry. "Don't hold me to it, but I'm going to try. I've missed coming to the British Open," Price, 54, said Wednesday, on the eve of the Senior British Open. Price almost entered this year's British Open but was concerned it would affect his busy summer schedule, which includes the Senior U.S. Open next week. "I just didn't think I could play four tournaments in a row on two different continents," Price said, "so I decided to skip that one."

'Shark' eyes return to competition

Greg Norman recently returned to Jupiter Island, his home since 1991, eager to resume playing after a long layoff because of February's left shoulder surgery. The "Shark," 56, hasn't mapped out the next phase of his career, but five months without a club in his hands has been too long. "Do I miss golf?" he asked. "I do now because I know I am going to get ready to play again." Norman, one of Australia's favorite sons, will begin to chip and putt this week as he slowly builds toward a high-profile trip Down Under in November. He plans to play the Australian Open and Australian PGA Championship. In between those events, he'll captain the International squad that will face the United States in the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

Evian officially is LPGA's fifth major

The Evian Masters in Evian-Les-Bains, France, will become the LPGA's fifth major starting in 2013, the tour announced, confirming a report earlier this month by Golfweek magazine. Tournament chairman Franck Riboud said the tournament will be moved to the second week of September. The tour's other majors are the Kraft Nabisco Championship, LPGA Championship, U.S. Women's Open and Women's British Open.

The dating scene

Here's some gossip. U.S. Open champ Rory McIlroy recently broke up with his girlfriend, Holly Sweeney, but he apparently hasn't stayed single for long. McIlroy, 22, has been seen with Caroline Wozniacki, 21, the world's top-ranked women's tennis player. Photos of the two having dinner in London recently surfaced.

Off to Michigan

Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., has been picked to host the 2016 U.S. Amateur. The event will be held Aug. 15-21.

This week on tour

PGA: Canadian Open, Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club, Vancouver. TV: Today-Friday, 3 p.m. on Golf Channel; Saturday-Sunday, 3 p.m. on Ch. 10

LPGA: Evian Masters, Evian Masters Golf Club, Evian-Les-Bains, France. TV: Today-Friday, 6:30 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, 1 p.m. on Golf Channel

Champions: Senior British Open, Walton Heath Golf Club, Surrey, England. TV: Today-Friday, noon on ESPN2; Saturday-Sunday, noon on ESPN

PGA Europe: Nordea Masters, Bro Hof Slott Golf Club, Stockholm. TV: Today-Friday, 9 a.m., Saturday-Sunday, 7:30 a.m. on Golf Channel

Times wires

Tiger's firing comes as shock to caddie

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Times wires
Wednesday, July 20, 2011

JACKSONVILLE — Tiger Woods has fired caddie Steve Williams, ending a 12-year relationship during which he won 72 times (13 majors) worldwide.

"I want to express my deepest grati­tude to Stevie for all his help, but I think it's time for a change," Woods said on his website Wednesday. "Stevie is an outstanding caddie and a friend and has been instrumental in many of my accomplishments."

Woods, who remains out with injuries to his left knee and left Achilles' tendon, did not say who would replace Williams or when he would return.

"I'm shocked," Hank Haney, Woods' former swing coach, told ESPNDallas.com. "Steve is the best caddie I've ever seen."

Williams, 47, who previously worked for Ray Floyd and Greg Norman, has worked the past three tournaments for Adam Scott. When asked last weekend at the British Open if he was still working for Woods, Williams grinned and said, "Why would you ask a question like that?" Turns out, Woods informed Williams of his dismissal on July 3. Williams said he kept quiet so Scott wouldn't be distracted during the Open.

On his website, Williams said the firing "came as a shock."

"Given the circumstances of the past 18 months working through Tiger's scandal, a new coach and with it a major swing change and Tiger battling through injuries, I am very disappointed to end our very successful partnership at this time," he said.

By phone, Williams said he was not upset and said he is proud to have been fired only twice in his 33 years as a caddie, by Woods and Norman.

"But I'm disappointed in the timing of it," said Williams. "To be as loyal as someone can be and with what one had to go through over the last 18 months. … "

More than a caddie, Woods and Williams had been close friends. Both got engaged while on safari after the 2003 Presidents Cup in South Africa and were in each other's weddings.

The relationship began showing signs of strain after revelations of Woods' infidelity in late 2009. Woods' ex-wife and Williams' wife were close, and Williams went several months before hearing anything from Woods.

In addition, Williams was unaware Woods was skipping this year's U.S. Open until after flying to the United States from New Zealand, where he lives most of the year.

Williams has been labeled a bully while working for Woods. At the 2002 Skins Game, he tossed a camera into a pond when the photographer snapped a picture in the middle of Woods' swing. At the 2004 U.S. Open, he took a camera from an off-duty policeman.

The only full-time caddies Woods has used during his 14-year career are Williams and Mike "Fluff" Cowan. Woods fired Cowan in February 1999 after Cowan reportedly revealed his salary.


Captains Corner: Dock lights good spot to catch trouts, reds

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By Pat Damico, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Productive fly fishing: Dock lights have been producing. We often go out a few hours before daylight and usually can fish without seeing another boat, especially on weekdays. Trout and reds have been primary targets, as snook numbers in my immediate area have been severely reduced. As long as the tide was cranking, feeding frenzies were common. Double hookups are common when two fly casters are working an area. Synchronize your casting to avoid tangled lines. Position one caster on each end of the boat, using a small, white baitfish imitation pattern and a 25-pound shock tippet. Have one caster use a floating line and the other a clear sink tip to cover different depths.

Lights near marinas also have produced some baby tarpon, which require a stealthy approach and longer casts. Your first cast is always the best working the outside shadow before casting into the lighted area. Long, slow strips seem to work best and are often interrupted with a strike that causes an immediate hookup. Size 4 to 1 Bead Butt Baitfish, Deceivers and Puglisi synthetic patterns with crimped barbs are selected to match the plentiful baitfish the fish are chasing. Respect the dock owner's privacy or you will find the light out on your next trip.

Boat position: A bow-mounted electric trolling motor will position the boat and help get your large fish away from the barnacle-encrusted pilings that will break leaders as well as fly lines.

Pat Damico charters lower Tampa Bay and can be reached at captpat.com or (727) 504-8649.

Contenders gain ground on Voeckler in the Alps

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Times wires
Wednesday, July 20, 2011

PINEROLO, Italy — Defending champ Alberto Contador couldn't shake his multiple shadows on a dangerous descent in the Tour de France's first day in the Alps, but yellow jersey Thomas Voeckler of France got a taste of the sharp end of the race, losing time to almost all the big contenders.

Contador made repeated attempts to break away, hoping to emulate the gains the Spaniard made over brothers Andy and Frank Schleck a day earlier. But he finished alongside the brothers from Luxembourg, Australian Cadel Evans and Spain's Samuel Sanchez.

Only Voeckler, who dropped back after several mistakes on the final descent, and Italy's Ivan Basso lost time. Voeckler still holds the yellow jersey of race leader, but now it's only 1 minute 18 seconds over Evans.

"I tried to attack in the downhill because I wanted to gain some seconds, and instead, I lost some. But that's my style: to try," said Voeckler.

The 17th stage, 111 miles across the Alps from Gap to the Italian town of Pinerolo, was won by Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen, his second victory of the race.

Former budding star tries comeback with Anaheim

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Times wires
Wednesday, July 20, 2011

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Center/wing Mark Bell is attempting a comeback, signed a one-year deal Wednesday with the Ducks. He will make $575,000 in the NHL and $105,000 in the minors.

Bell, 30, was taken eighth overall by the Blackhawks in 1998. He had 21 goals and 24 assists in 2003-04 and career highs of 25 goals and 48 points in 2005-06. He was traded to the Sharks before the following season and was expected to star playing alongside Joe Thornton

But before even playing a game for San Jose, Bell was arrested and charged with drunken driving after seriously injuring another driver in a hit-and-run crash. That season, he had just 11 goals and 10 assists, after which the Sharks traded him to the Maple Leafs.

Bell eventually pleaded no contest to driving under the influence, spent two months in jail and was suspended for the first 15 games of 2007-08 by the league. He had 16 goals and 21 assists over two seasons for Toronto before being waived in February 2009.

He spent the past two seasons in the Swiss League.

Goalie retires: Goalie Patrick Lalime retired after 12 seasons and will become a TV analyst for the Senators. In 2002-03, he led Ottawa to the East final. Lalime, 37, appeared in seven games for the Sabres last season and also played for the Blackhawks, Blues and Penguins. In 444 games, he went 200-174-48 with a 2.58 goals-against average and .905 save percentage.

Blackhawks: Defenseman Chris Campoli officially became an unrestricted free agent. The team previously decided not to re-sign the defenseman, who had one goal and six assists in 19 games after being acquired from Ottawa at the trade deadline. But the club had to wait until it could walk away from an arbitrator's ruling, which came Wednesday.

Coyotes: Forward Lauri Korpikoski avoided arbitration by signing a two-year deal. Financial terms weren't disclosed. Last season, he tied for second on the team with 19 goals.

Penguins: Defenseman Brooks Orpik had hernia surgery but is expected to be ready by early in training camp.

Red Wings: Goalie Ty Conklin signed a one-year deal to replace the retiring Chris Osgood and back up Jimmy Howard. Financial terms weren't disclosed. In 25 games (20 starts) last season for the Blues, Conklin, 35, went 8-8-4 with a 3.22 goals-against average.

Dodgers 1, Giants 0

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Times wires
Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Dodgers 1, Giants 0

SAN FRANCISCO — Dioner Navarro's homer helped the Dodgers end a six-game skid against the Giants and four-game skid overall. The former Ray is the 24th opposing player to hit a home run into McCovey Cove in rightfield. Clayton Kershaw struck out 12 and leads the majors with 167. In the first and second innings, he stranded a runner at third after Navarro threw the ball into centerfield trying to throw out a basestealer.

Red Sox 4, Orioles 0

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Times wires
Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Red Sox 4, Orioles 0

BALTIMORE — Jacoby Ellsbury hit two solo homers for the Red Sox. The homers made it 1-0 in the third and 3-0 in the seventh. Both came off Jake Arrieta, who has yielded 19 home runs in his 20 starts this year. Ellsbury's only other two-homer game came April 22, 2008, against the Angels. Boston's Dustin Pedroia beat out a slow roller to third in the fifth to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 18 games. His lone hit Tuesday came in identical fashion.

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