BRIEFLY : ROOKIE SPARKLES IN B.C.

Byline: Daily News Wire Services

Kevin Pom-Arleau is so obscure in PGA circles that, after Thursday's 6-under-par 65 in the $2.5 million Air Canada Championship, he had to inform tour officials that there was a hyphen in his last name.

Pom-Arleau, an ex-Air Force air traffic controller competing in his first PGA event, was among the lesser known names atop the leaderboard in the first round in Surrey, B.C.

Japanese Tour veteran Brandt Jobe, coming off a career-best fourth last week, led with a 63. Veteran Peter Jacobsen shot 30 on the back nine and was at 64.

Joining Pom-Arleau two shots back was Charles Raulerson, a former rail executive.

Tom Gillis of the United States outplayed some of Europe's Ryder Cup players, shooting a 5-under-par 66 for the opening-day lead at the European Masters in Crans-Sur-Sierre, Switzerland.

TRACK AND FIELD: Back spasms will prevent Marion Jones from competing again this year, but she still plans to seek an unprecedented five gold medals at the Sydney Olympics.

OLYMPICS: International Olympic Committee members might be given the chance to visit bidding cities, but only under strict conditions, a reform panel recommended. Visits were banned after disclosures of vote-buying in the selection of Salt Lake City for the 2002 Winter Olympics.

HOCKEY: Doug Risebrough was hired as the Minnesota Wild's first general manager and executive vice president. Risebrough, 45, who has spent 25 years in the NHL as a player, coach and executive, was vice president of hockey operations with the Edmonton Oilers the last three years.

The Ottawa Senators signed free-agent right wing Kevin Dineen to a multiyear contract, adding a 15-year veteran to their young roster.

Businessman Pierre Boivin was named as the new president of the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens are hoping Boivin can turn the Canadiens around financially. Also, beer giant Molson Inc. wants to sell the Molson Centre, a 21,273-seat arena built for the Canadiens.

BASKETBALL:The Golden State Warriors re-signed 38-year-old forward Terry Cummings to a multiyear contract.

The Sparks' Lisa Leslie was named to the WNBA's all-league second team.

Four-time Olympian Teresa Edwards was named to the United States women's basketball national team. She joins 10 WNBA players on the team expected to represent the United States at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.

BOXING: Heavyweight contenders Michael Grant and Andrew Golota will meet in a 10-round heavyweight bout Nov. 20 in the Trump Taj Mahal at Atlantic City, N.J.