Auto Racing
Formula One team Caterham sold to Kolles-led group
LEAFIELD, England – Formula One team Caterham was sold to a group of Middle Eastern and Swiss investors led by former HRT team boss Colin Kolles.
The team announced the sale Wednesday with immediate effect, meaning Caterham will be under new management and ownership for this weekend’s British Grand Prix.
Former F1 driver Christijan Albers takes over as team principal, assisted by Manfredi Ravetto, replacing Cyril Abiteboul.
The team still will be called Caterham for the immediate term and will remain at its base in Leafield.
Cycling
South Africa’s Impey returns positive doping tests
SYDNEY – Orica-GreenEDGE rider Daryl Impey of South Africa was omitted from the team’s Tour de France lineup after failing a doping test.
Australian-based Orica-GreenEDGE released a statement Wednesday saying it was notified by The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport that the 29-year-old delivered a positive A and B sample to the banned masking agent Probenecid after the South African Championships on Feb. 6.
Impey became the first African rider to wear the Tour de France’s yellow jersey last year when he led the standings during Stages 6 and 7. This year’s Tour will start Saturday in Leeds, England.
Golf
Longest-serving PGA member dies at 103 years old
STUART, Fla. – Samuel Henry “Errie” Ball, who played in the first Masters, died Wednesday. The golf pro was 103.
Ball was a PGA of America member for 83 years, which the organization said is a membership record. Ball was inducted into the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame in 2011.
Ball played in the first Augusta National Invitation Tournament in 1934, which later became the Masters. He also competed in 19 Senior PGA Championships and shared second place in the 1962 tournament.
Bay Area to host Match Play, PGA and Presidents Cup
SAN FRANCISCO – The southwest corridor of San Francisco is going to get all the golf it can handle over the next decade.
TPC Harding Park will host the Match Play Championship in 2015, the PGA Championship in 2020 and the Presidents Cup in 2025. The announcement was made Wednesday by PGA of America President Ted Bishop, PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem and San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee.
The Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic, which was held on the final weekend of April this year, is set to return to Lake Merced just down the road in Daly City in 2015. And the inaugural U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship is scheduled April 30-May 6 at The Olympic Club, where the U.S. Open last was held in 2012.
NBA
Kidd leaves for Milwaukee, so Brooklyn hires Hollins
NEW YORK – The Brooklyn Nets reached an agreement in principle Wednesday with Lionel Hollins to become their head coach, moving quickly after the departure of Jason Kidd.
The deal with the former Memphis Grizzlies head coach comes two days after the Nets made a trade with Milwaukee to allow Kidd out of his contract so the Bucks could hire him.
Nets’ general manager Billy King and his assistants then met with Hollins on Monday night and again Tuesday before agreeing to the deal. Terms were not disclosed.
Hollins led Memphis to 56 victories and the 2013 Western Conference finals before he and the Grizzlies parted ways. The Nets considered him last year before hiring Kidd.
Kidd led Brooklyn to a 44-38 record and the second round of the playoffs in his lone season, but the Nets allowed him to pursue other jobs after denying his request for more power within the organization.
Associated Press
