Quick like a bunny wasn't fast enough

Well, that's one way to become a scratch golfer.

Mitch Walter was driving a golf cart on his daily rounds at the Cape Rock Water Treatment Plant in Cape Girardeau, Mo., when a high-tailing rabbit hopped aboard. Followed by a 25-pound bobcat chasing the rabbit.

As Walter told AP: "The cat went from a sleek predator after fast food to a ball of fur trying to jump through the windshield of the golf cart."

Walter got himself out of the rough, but it took a few shots — of the rabies variety — after the cat left some scratches on his neck.

Fightin' words

With his Buccaneers at 4-3 and a half-game out of first in the NFC South, coach Jon Gruden told the St. Petersburg Times, "We have to roll our fists up and fight right now."

Before or after they ball up their sleeves?

He's a crowd

Not that 350-pound defensive tackle Grady Jackson, released by the Falcons this week, is a bit on the large side or anything, wrote Jack Finarelli of SportsCurmudgeon.com, but ... "This man probably qualifies for group health insurance all by himself."

Hither and yawn

"In today's Wake Me When It's Over battle," wrote Greg Cote of the Miami Herald, " 'Kobe might want to be traded' takes on 'A-Rod might opt for free agency.' "

He's Maxed out

Fun-loving receiver Max McGee, who died at 75 last week, was notorious for sneaking out after curfew, but Packers coach Vince Lombardi's threat to double the fine — first $125, then $250 — had no effect. Wrote Packers guard Jerry Kramer in "Instant Replay," when coach encountered truant in the locker room after a third infraction:

" 'MAX!' Vince said. 'That's $500.' Coach was really shaking; he was very, very upset. He seemed to be fighting a losing battle ... Vince turned purple ... 'If you go out again, it'll cost you a thousand.'

"The room was totally silent, hushed. Lombardi stopped shaking and actually managed to grin a little. 'Max,' he said, softly, 'if you can find anything worth sneaking out for, for $1,000, hell, call me and I'll go with you.' "

Quote marks

• Comedian Argus Hamilton, on why evacuees flock to Notre Dame Stadium during tornado warnings in Indiana: "Nobody believes there'll be a touchdown there."

• Jerry Greene of the Orlando Sentinel, on the 93 PGA Tour players with $1 million-plus in earnings this season: "So pull that video game controller out of your kid's hands and give him a 3-wood."

Dead Heat Dept.

Quain Stott honored a final request by fellow drag racer Randy McCorkle, who died of lung cancer in March, by scattering McCorkle's cremated remains last week during a 234-mph run at Rockingham (N.C.) Dragway, the Fayetteville Observer reported.

Even grizzled gearheads were left dewy-eyed, saying they've never seen a guy haul ash like that before.

Dwight Perry: 206-464-8250 or dperry@seattletimes.com