Tee

Nothing like piling on when a team's down. Now even The Onion, the satirical publication and website that bills itself as “America's Finest News Source,”  is taking shots at the Orioles. The latest edition skewers the team with a “news brief” and the headline: “ Orioles: We Have Enough Talent To Win 5 More Games This Season .” Despite well over a decade of futility before their hot start this season, the Baltimore Orioles . . . told reporters . . . they trust in one another and believe they have enough talent this year to win five more games.

Like professional athletes who get ready for their respective seasons in training camp, weekend golfers prep their games in the offseason. Some work out feverishly doing golf-specific exercises. Others take lessons to hone their swings. And more than a few simply go out and take their whacks on the driving range. Jim Kardash, who has owned and operated the Arundel Golf Park in Glen Burnie since 2004, said golfers run the gamut when it comes to conditioning their bodies - and their minds - for a game that takes its toll physically and mentally.

It was only three weeks ago that we last saw Steve Stricker, as a bout with laryngitis left him trying to speak as little as possible at the Shark Shootout in Naples, Fla. Stricker has his voice back, thankfully. And his swing sure didn't seem under the weather as he and teammate Jerry Kelly finished two strokes shy of a back-to-back triumph in the partnership event. Even so, the winner of nine PGA Tour trophies admits a certain apprehension every January. "You're not sure what this new year is going to bring," Stricker told reporters at this week's Hyundai Tournament of Champions.

Memo to pro scouts watching Saturday's NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in Los Angeles: As for Adam Yates, what you see is what you get. There's not much video of the strong-legged kicker from Sparks. Yates, 22, will strut his stuff in a game that features lesser-known prospects for April's NFL draft. He fits the bill, having kicked field goals for just two years - as a senior in both college and high school. Each time, he shined. In the fall, Yates helped South Carolina to a No. 8 national ranking after earning an athletic scholarship in his final season.

Joe Eades' mornings always begin in total darkness. The sunrise is still hours away when he arrives at Forest Park Golf Course, the city still fast asleep. It's his favorite time of day, when the grass is still dripping with dew and there is a serenity to all the silence. Out of bed no later than 3:30 a.m., he is wide awake when he pulls into the course parking lot, ready to get to work. The course, which has been around since 1934, is already talking to him in a language that takes years to learn.

First Tee Howard County is accepting registration for those ages 8 to 18 for its 2008 season. The program, which offers instruction in golf and promotes character development, honesty, integrity, respect and perseverance, is held at Fairway Hills Golf Club in Columbia. Fees are $25 for review and indoor classes; $50 for Par level; $75 for Birdie level; $100 for Eagle level; and $150 for Ace level. Scholarships are available. 410-730-1114, or www.thefirstteehowardcounty.org.

If Henry H. Miller, chairman of the Baltimore Municipal Gol Corp., has his way (and he usually gets it) golfers would be banned from taking first tee practice swings.What upsets Miller, who repeatedly has been lauded for his success in upgrading golf conditions at the five Baltimore municipal courses, is the fact that golfers are abusive first tee users.It has been pointed out that golfers, full of zest to get their rounds started, use untold numbers of practice swings on the first tees while attempting to loosen their muscles and groove their swings.

BETHESDA -- Officials of the Mazda LPGA Championship wanted to put their best faces before the national television audience. So, when NBC-TV said it would move its telecast back an hour to noon, officials had the top players tee off in the first several groups.Betsy King, JoAnne Carner and Amy Alcott were the first group to tee off in the third round -- coming after the completion of the second round, which was suspended Friday because of rain. It was a change -- the top golfers usually start late -- that the leaders didn't seem to mind.

With the conclusion of qualifying play today in the U.S. Mid-Amateur championship, the membership and staff of Woodholme Country Club will heave a collective sigh of relief. They will have showcased their golf course and club facilities to some of the best players in the world, and made it through with flying colors.Two years ago, when the USGA formulated plans for enlarging the championship field and initiated the two-course format for selecting the 64 men to continue at match play, it put a premium on second-course selection.

SPRINGFIELD, N.J. -- Give United States Golf Association officials some credit: They sure like to pin down their tee times in advance.Yesterday, the USGA revealed that the first Open of the 21st century will be held at the Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, Calif.Besides serving as a site of the 2000 Open, Pebble Beach will also be the location of the 1999 U.S. Amateur.Pinehurst Country Club's No. 2 Course in Pinehurst, N.C., was designated site of the 1999 U.S. Open."These represent two of the finest golf courses in America," said Reg Murphy, vice president of the USGA.

The owner of a Parkville bar can keep his liquor license but must pay a $2,000 fine after the fatal stabbing of a bouncer there over Labor Day weekend. On Monday, the Baltimore County Liquor Board ordered Tee-Bee's Place to pay the fine within 30 days, saying the bar didn't follow security procedures that could have prevented the Sept. 1 killing of bouncer Tavares Jones, who was stabbed while breaking up a fight. Jones' death was the second homicide there since this summer. The bar has also been the subject of complaints from residents, who say it is loud late at night and that patrons take up limited parking on residential streets.

A group of state lawmakers and a county councilman are urging the Baltimore County liquor board to take action against a Parkville bar where a security guard was fatally stabbed this month. In letters, the officials said the board should send a strong message to Tee-Bee's Place on Darlington Drive, where Tavares Jones was killed Sept. 1 while breaking up a fight — the second homicide at the bar this summer. In July, Derrick Gamble was fatally shot there. The letters were sent by Councilman David Marks, Sen. Kathy Klausmeier, and Dels.

A Baltimore man has been charged with murder in the slaying of a security guard last weekend at Tee Bee's Bar in Parkville, Baltimore County police said. Police said Saturday they arrested Haywood Trice, 25, of the 1500 block of N. Wolfe St., and charged him with first-degree murder and possession of a dangerous weapon with intent to injure. Trice is being held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center. County police said they responded to reports of a fight at the bar, in the 7100 block of Darlington Drive, at 1:30 a.m. Sept.

Submitting sports notices The deadline for submitting sports copy is 9 a.m. Monday. We prefer email (howardcountysports@patuxent.com). Questions? Call 410-332-6605. Golf Fall registration is open for all of the First Tee of Howard County classes. The PLAYer and PAR classes are filling up quickly, however, the BIRDIE and EAGLE classes still have openings. Register online at http://www.thefirstteehowardcounty.org . The schedule is on the program and instruction page.

Submitting sports notices The deadline for submitting sports copy is 9 a.m. Monday. We prefer email (howardcountysports@patuxent.com). Questions? Call 410-332-6578. Golf The First Tee of Howard County is looking for foursomes to play in the 11th annual golf tournament at Fairway Hills Golf Club on Aug. 8. Check-in begins at 11 a.m. with a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start. Register at http://www.thefirstteehowardcounty.org . Sponsorship opportunities are available. Call 410-730-1114.

Submitting sports notices The deadline for submitting sports copy is 9 a.m. Monday. We prefer email (howardcountysports@patuxent.com). Questions? Call 410-332-6578. Golf The First Tee of Howard County has openings in its summer program that begins July 7 and ends Aug. 29. First Tee provides golf and life skills instruction for participants, ages 6 through 17. It is a nationally recognized program and chapter. Each level of the program is age-appropriate.

In a rare victory for opponents of the Fairway Hills Golf Course, the Columbia Association has relocated a tee that had ** been shifted closer to homes in Columbia's Wilde Lake village than originally planned.Homeowners James and Audrey Poole first complained to the association about six weeks ago, when they saw that the 13th tee was moved to just a few feet from their property line and less than 20 feet from the rear deck of their home on Ten Mills Road in the Running Brook neighborhood.

On May 31, 2009, JOSEPH husband of Cecelia Woah-Tee. Friends may visit the family owned MARCH FUNERAL HOME EAST, 1101 E. North Avenue on Friday 8:30 A.M to 3 P.M after which time the family will receive friends at Centennial-Caroline Street United Methodist Church, 1029 E. Monument Street from 6 to 8:30 P.M. The family will also receive friends at the above church on Saturday at 9 A.M. Funeral services will follow at 10 A.M.

Nothing like piling on when a team's down. Now even The Onion, the satirical publication and website that bills itself as “America's Finest News Source,”  is taking shots at the Orioles. The latest edition skewers the team with a “news brief” and the headline: “ Orioles: We Have Enough Talent To Win 5 More Games This Season .” Despite well over a decade of futility before their hot start this season, the Baltimore Orioles . . . told reporters . . . they trust in one another and believe they have enough talent this year to win five more games.