GOLFWORLD's Steve Pike reports sources say ski industry
     manufacturer K2 "is interested in buying a golf-equipment
     company."  K2's plans, however, might be on hold because of
     "slumping" in-line skate sales.  The company projects a 42%
     decline in 3Q earnings and a 9% decline in revenue
     (GOLFWORLD, 10/3)....MO-based Rawlings Sporting Goods Co.
     Inc. lost $715,000 last quarter, but reported that profit
     for its fiscal year was up 3.8% to $5.4M (ST. LOUIS POST-
     DISPATCH, 10/8)....Tommy Armour Golf CEO Michael Magerman
     will take a leave of absence, designed to enable him to
     focus his energies on purchasing Tommy Armour Golf Company
     from U.S. Industries (Armour Golf).

          MA-based State Street Research & Management Co. is
     creating a new division within its Private Client Group to
     provide investment management for professional athletes. 
     Run by former Bruin Derek Sanderson, State Street will offer
     its line of mutual funds and individually managed accounts
     to target the financial needs of pro athletes.  State Street
     President & CEO Ralph Verni: "Derek Sanderson is a well-
     known and highly regarded individual in both the sports
     world and business world. ... His knowledge and reputation,
     combined with our investment capabilities and experience,
     will make State Street Research the logical choice for
     professional athletes" (State Street Research).  In the
     FINANCIAL TIMES, John Authers reported that Sanderson
     "already has 90 clients under his wing, mostly from ice
     hockey," with combined projected salaries for the next year
     of $50M (FINANCIAL TIMES, 10/6).