Conference 7.286::golf

1713.0. "Michael Jordan and Golf" by SAHQ::TROTTER () Fri Jun 11 1993 14:03

    The following is a Lewis Grizzard column from the Atlanta Constitution
    which is quite humourous and a little humor can't hurt these days.
    
    
    Televison Golf Missing a Good Bet
    ---------------------------------
    
    I'm not all that interested in viewing the National Basketball
    Association finals between the Bulls and the Suns.  They play six
    months in that league, eliminate Sacramento, and then they start all
    over again.
    
    And I'm also not that keen on watching the U.S. Open Golf Tournament
    scheduled soon on my television from New Jersey.  Arnies not going to
    win and Greg Norman will finish second, and that all I know about golf
    anymore.
    
    I will tell you what I would like to see, however--a sort of
    combination of the two.
    
    I would like to see Michael Jordan play golf for lots of money.  HIS
    money.
    
    By now, the world should know there's a book out by a guy who says he
    beat the world's greatest basketball player--Jordan, of the Chicago
    Bulls--out of $1.25 million gambling on the golf course.
    
    I have said for years the problem with television golf is the players
    play for somebody else's money.  The announcers announce, "The pressure
    is really on.  He's got this 15-footer to win $250,000."
    
    OK, so there's some pressure, but it's $250,000 of AT&T's or General
    Motors' or some insurance companys money.
    
    But what if it were the golfer's own money on the line?  Thats the
    boiler.  That's the real throw-up zone.
    
    Even if its a $5 Nassau with friends, the little 4-footer on the 18th
    can bring grown men to their knees.  I was playing with a man I will
    not name--he is a very sucessful person and even had the guts to quit
    smoking--who missed a near gimme for the match once and put it this
    way:  "Its hard to putt through your own vomit."
    
    That may be one of golf's great quotes.  (OK, it was David Boyd the
    Newnan political cartoonist.  A great quote deserves attribution, even
    if he did miss the putt and cost me $5.)
    
    Whether or not one believes the book about Jordan's gambling on the
    golf course is the Bible truth, it should be obvious from other reports
    the man will, in fact, bet it up on the golf course.  And with his
    cash--not to mention the ability to make lots more--I fiqure that his
    business.
    
    But lets see some of the action.  Put it on pay-for-view.  I can afford
    $24.95.  I already know Michael can hit one from the parking lot to win
    a basketball game at the buzzer, but can he take it back on the tee at
    a hundred grand a hole?
    
    Would he take out the big stick, the driver, and let it rip, or would
    he go for the three-metal, as Ben Wright says, and play it safely?
    
    That would be excitement.  That would be great television.
    
    I'm tired of the check-awarding ceremonies after the pro golf
    tournaments where the CEO of Kmart hands over what the company made on
    tires the past fiscal year to some 24-year old with 14 advertising
    decals on his golfing garments.
    
    I would like to view on of golfs great rituals played out for the kind
    of money Michael Jordan puts up--the payoff.
    
    Does Michael write the check (or does he have bodyguards carry money
    bags on the course on 18.); does he wait until hes back in the locker
    room?
    
    The book says Jordan paid only $300,000 out of the million-plus owed. 
    But he wouldn't try to snivel it down on national television would he?
    
    Its time golf and sports fans got something like this.  Were tired of
    the overpaid, coddled athlete who risks nothing of his own.  Put up or
    shut up.  Somebody just do it.
                      

    Great cartoon in Newsweek!!!!
    
    Father reading the newspaper with his son standing next to him.
    Father  "Who is the leading money winner on the golf tour?"
    Son	    "Anyone who played Michael Jordan."
    

    With a three peet championship Mike is sure to have more money to lose. 
    Anyone know his handicap?  I hear he has asperations to try for the
    Senior Tour after he's done with basketball.

    
    Look out tour, now that Michael is hanging up is basketball sneakers,
    he may trade them in for a pair of golf spikes. A while back, he
    said he would like to become pro some day. Wouldn't be surprised to
    see him make a run for the tour!
    
    Wow.. Europe will really get kicked next Ryder Cup with 'air' on the
    US team. * many smileys here, just kidding *
    
    		:^)
    
    	Jerry

    Not a "Tour Caliber" player by any means, but the guy has about the
    most beautiful tempo I've ever seen.
    
    __Jack

    
    he couldn't even make it on the NIKE tour and you know what an in
    here would have there. 
    like Jack said, fluid swing.
    
    Joe

    The Nike tour is what used to be called the Hogan tour -- the Junior
    Varsity of professional golf.  Small purses, small crowds, but it's a
    stepping stone to the PGA tour.  They said on the news that Nike
    stock went down $1.50 because of Jordan's retirement -- so the
    implication is that sponsor influence could probably get him a card
    to play the tour...

                                Andy Ostrom

    From what I hear, Michael is a 5 or 6 - and not a great one (hard to
    believe, when you see him hit it...). He can afford it, but he's gonna
    get his lunch - on any tor - plus, I doubt he'd qualify.
    
    __Jack

    
    re.   .6  what .7 said.
    
    Joe
    

    I guess I'd just like to see it happen..
    
    But keep in mind that he has never had the chance to play golf
    full time, like the pros do. He now has that time. He certainly
    can afford whatever it takes to get the proper advice and coaching.
    If money and time are not factors, you never know.. He's only 30 years
    old. But... I'd just as sson see him go back to BB.
    
    	Jerry