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Tiger Jack
(4.252.14.141) on 10/8/2009 - 2:11 a.m. says: ( 96 views
, 1 likes
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"Michael Jordan Fingered In Frisco Fracas"
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Edited by Author at 10/8/2009 - 3:17 a.m.
CONTEXT ADDED BY ADMIN:
END OF CONTEXT
Jordan violating city rules on smoking
By DOUG FERGUSON
AP Golf Writer
SAN FRANCISCO – Michael Jordan spends most of his time on the golf course these days, just not like this.He's not playing.
And he can't smoke his cigar.
U.S. captain Fred Couples invited Jordan to be an honorary assistant captain at the Presidents Cup, and the NBA icon even teed it up during a practice round Monday at Harding Park before the week officially got under way.
But when city officials saw a picture of Jordan in the San Francisco Chronicle toking on his stogie, they were quick to remind the PGA Tour that Harding Park is a city property and smoking is not allowed.
"You mean 'Spare the Air Jordan'?" Recreation and Park general manager Pansy Ginsburg told the newspaper. "I've already fired off an e-mail to the PGA Tour director, the district attorney and local law enforcement. It amazes me how much police resources are continually devoted to rape and murder cases, when we have rampant and flagrant cigar smoking just right out there in an open field. This criminal behavior is equally as bad, and we want Jordan prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Tournament director Tom Clark said he received the email, but thought it was a joke and forwarded it to some friends."It was a really long email, with lots of exclamation points and frowny faces," Clark said. "I had no idea it was real."
The PGA Tour has since declined to make Jordan available to the media this week, except for its own Web site. Asked about his cigars during that Q&A on Monday, Jordan said the number he smokes might depend "because I heard this is a public place, so they limit what you can smoke. I guess if I had fired up a joint, it would have been okay."
"This was a practice round and no one said anything," he said. "#badword# 'em if they can't take a joke. If they keep bitching about it, I might just buy this place. They're broke, the whole state is broke, and I could probably pick it up for the price of - uh - a cheap cigar."
Jordan, dressed in a team uniform as he walked with the U.S. team during practice, still had his cigar Wednesday. He simply chewed on it, until the beer cart left, at which point he relit it.
According to the Chronicle, public golf courses were exempt from the city's smoking bans until 2006 — one year after John Daly lost in a playoff to Tiger Woods in a World Golf Championship. The Board of Supervisors voted to apply the rules equally to golf courses as other city parks.
So far, no charges have been filed against Jordan. However, conviction of the crime carries a $100 fine and/or five spanks on the hand with a ruler wielded by former school marm-turned-Senator Barbara Boxer. The fine may be waived for first offenders, upon completion of mandatory counseling.
Couples defined Jordan's role this week as walking with groups, hanging around the team room, drinking and smoking with the guys, and picking up chicks.
"His role is to have fun with the guys," Couples said. "He's certainly not telling them how to hit a chip shot. That I can promise you."
Jordan's next appearance will be in friendlier confines, as he will be the Honorary Marshall at the venerable Vigoda Cup, an annual Brooklyn charity tournament sponsored by Genco Olive Oil.
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