Golf Review: Cedar Bend, twice the fun
OPHIR — For a golf course with only nine greens, Cedar Bend Golf Club has a major emphasis on playing 18 holes.

Column: Two flags makes for fun round
Two flags on each green. And at least two tee boxes on each hole.

Golf Tip: Confidence is the key to putting well
As I have wrote in a previous column, the most important fundamental while learning golf and improving your game is your grip. What happens at the bottom end of your club is solely determined on what happens on the top end of your club.

Report: Turkoglu won’t join Blazers
PORTLAND — Free-agent forward Hedo Turkoglu and the Portland Trail Blazers have ended contract talks, a person close to the team confirmed Friday.

 Earnhardt eyes turnaround at Daytona
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. doesn’t know when he’ll end his winless streak, or how long it will take to turn around his horrendous season.

 IndyCar leaders battle for position
INDIANAPOLIS — Ryan Briscoe was on top of the IndyCar world a week ago.

Logano expected to get more wins
Joe Gibbs didn’t expect his gamble to pay off so soon.

Community Sports: Community Scoreboard for July 4
Bowling

Youth Sports: Youth football registration night is Thursday
The first registration day in the Bay Area for the South Coast Football League will be Thursday, with players able to sign up at either Pete Susick Stadium at Marshfield High School or Vic Adams Field at North Bend High School.

Vaughn finishes second at Oregon Junior Amateur
Reedsport’s Monica Vaughn came up just short in her bid to win her division of the Oregon Junior Amateur on Friday.

 Tour de France starts today in Monaco
MONACO — The Tour de France is ready for another edition with Lance Armstrong, and today’s opening stage may show whether he’s ready to challenge for another title.

NL: Pujols hits fourth slam of season
CINCINNATI — Albert Pujols hit his club-record fourth grand slam of the season, and Jarrett Hoffpauir drove in the go-ahead runs in the ninth inning with his first career hit as St. Louis beat Cincinnati 7-4 on Friday night.

 McMurray optimistic despite slump
Jamie McMurray could hardly wait to get the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season going.

 Ramirez returns to Dodgers with apology Friday
SAN DIEGO — Manny Ramirez returned to the big leagues as only he could.

 AL: Mariners open series in Boston with dramatic win
BOSTON — A double inside the line and a fan going over the line were very helpful for the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.

Community Sports, Fast Breaks for July 4: Engelmann takes title in Siuslaw River Triathlon
Mike Engelmann of Eugene won the second-annual Siuslaw River Triathlon last weekend at Mapleton.

 Federer faces Roddick for title
WIMBLEDON, England — Rising, rising, rising, high above the most famous patch of grass in tennis, Roger Federer channeled Pete Sampras on match point in the Wimbledon semifinals Friday, tucking both feet back beneath his body and uncorking an overhead smash.

Sandblasters take twin bill in Florence
The Three Rivers Sandblasters swept a pair of games from the visiting Beaverton All-Stars on Friday.

Sports Briefs: Rains washes away qualifying for Daytona race
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Tony Stewart will start from a familiar spot tonight at Daytona International Speedway.

NB teams second at tourney
The North Bend majors and rookie-league all-star teams both finished second in their divisions at a tournament in Florence last weekend.