Area golf legend Streeter, 98, dies

Golf: Leroy Otis “Babe” Streeter, the long-time golf pro at Shoshone Golf Club, died Friday morning at a nursing home in Kellogg. He was 98.

The annual Babe Streeter Open at Shoshone started in 1995 and is considered one of the biggest added- money tournaments in the region.

Streeter was known for his story-telling ways. Retired sports writer Steve Bergum wrote about Streeter in The Spokesman-Review in June of 2004.

“In this era of image-obsessed club pros, Streeter stands as an icon to an earlier time, when you could talk openly about the drinking, gambling and general carousing that were considered part of the profession,” Bergum wrote. “When Streeter first took over as the head pro at the original Shoshone course, he was also part owner of a bar in Wallace and would spend his days mowing greens and his nights serving cocktails.”

At the age of 84, Streeter shot his eighth career hole-in-one at Shoshone. He used a 7-iron on the 147-yard, par-3 fourth hole.

He is survived by his wife, Doris, a son and two daughters.

Long-time friend Tommy Pouttu, one of the organizers of the Babe Streeter Open, said Streeter did not want a funeral service. Pouttu said there are plans to have a wake for Streeter at the Open in June.

Mariners sign RHP Bonderman

Baseball: The Seattle Mariners signed pitcher Jeremy Bonderman to a minor league contract, hoping the right-hander can make a comeback from Tommy John surgery.

The Mariners also invited the 30-year-old to spring training.

Bonderman has not pitched in the majors since 2010, when he went 8-10 with a 5.53 ERA for Detroit.

He pitched eight seasons for the Tigers and helped them reach the World Series in 2006, when he was 14-8 in an A.L.-leading 34 starts.