News In Brief

PUMP FIRST, STEAL LATER

You'd think high gasoline prices wouldn't be a problem for Ricky Boice and Steven Grosnell. After all, the suspected criminals were robbing a gas station, police said. But in the rush to leave a station in East Peoria, Ill., they forgot to refuel. Their speedy getaway sputtered out after only two blocks. Determined to flee on wheels, they then walked a half-mile to another gas station and bought fuel. Police said the duo was promptly arrested on their return.

A HAIRY PROBLEM

Pakistan's Air Force is trying to save face, after Muslim clerics demanded punishment for officers who placed a ban on beards. Growing facial hair, the clerics averred, is an Islamic directive. It turns out the whole fuss, though, may have been a misunderstanding. The Air Force, a spokesman told the newspaper Jang (War), has no preference on the facial appearance of its pilots. If one of them wants to change his look, however, that needs clearance - "for security reasons."

Golfers give highest marks to Monterey, Calif., courses

The US alone has some 16,000 golf courses, according to Golf Digest magazine. To help golf enthusiasts sort through all these - plus the mushrooming number overseas - the trade journal conducted its first-ever ranking of the world's best golf destinations. It turned to some 700 low-handicap golfers, who each ranked places on a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high). The top results, with the average score each received:

1. Monterey, Calif. 9.309

2. St. Andrews, Scotland 9.304

3. Pinehurst/Southern Pines, N.C. 9.137

4. Northern Ireland 9.017

5. Southwest Scotland/Ayrshire 8.775

6. Southwest Ireland/County Kerry 8.750

7. Sheboygan, Wis. 8.697

8. Phoenix/Scottsdale 8.607

9. Greater Myrtle Beach, S.C. 8.577

10. Hilton Head Island, S.C. 8.402

- Associated Press

(c) Copyright 2000. The Christian Science Publishing Society