PGA Commissioner Beman Plans to Resign

Deane Beman, who presided over a 20-year period of growth and prosperity--and controversy--has decided to resign as commissioner of the PGA Tour.

Beman announced Tuesday he will not seek an extension of his contract, which runs through December, 1995. Beman, 55, a former U.S. and British Amateur champion and winner of four PGA Tour titles, said he hopes to compete in some senior tour events.

Richard J. Ferris, tournament policy board chairman, said a selection committee has been appointed. Beman said he will leave after his successor is chosen.

In Beman’s 20-year reign, tour purses grew from $8.2 million to more than $103 million this year.

Pro Basketball

Charles Barkley of the Phoenix Suns and Charles Oakley of the New York Knicks have been fined for their part in an altercation. Barkley was fined $5,000 for slapping Oakley during the second period of the Suns’ 92-78 victory Sunday in Phoenix. Oakley was fined $2,000 for retaliating. Both players were ejected, bringing automatic fines of $250 each.

The Chicago Bulls’ Scottie Pippen apologized to fans for making an obscene gesture during the Bulls’ latest loss and for angry statements he made after the game.

A little less than three months after nearly dying in a car accident, rookie Bobby Hurley of the Sacramento Kings returned to the court to shoot baskets. Hurley shot as his father’s St. Anthony’s High basketball team practiced in Jersey City, N.J.

Jurisprudence

Tonya Harding’s attorneys asked for an indefinite delay of a U.S. Figure Skating Assn. disciplinary hearing, scheduled for March 9, which might have allowed Harding to compete in the World Championships on March 22-27 in Chiba, Japan.

But the USFSA was willing to reschedule the hearing by only a day to March 10. A five-member USFSA panel will determine whether Harding should be kicked out of the association for her role in the Jan. 6 attack on rival Nancy Kerrigan.

Three East Tennessee State football players accused of statutory rape pleaded guilty to a reduced charge. The players--reserve quarterback Keith Mills, receiver Jeff Johnson, and linebacker Nakia Thomas--were accused of having sex with two girls, aged 13 and 15, in a dormitory room Jan. 29. Coach Mike Cavan said the three will be suspended for at least the first two games of next season.

Michael Cofer, a linebacker cut by the Detroit Lions last month, has been accused of forcibly fondling a woman. He was charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Pro Football

Jim Speros, owner of the Canadian Football League’s new Baltimore franchise, said his team would be named the “CFL Colts.”

Phil Simms, New York Giants quarterback, underwent surgery to repair a small tear in the shoulder socket of his throwing arm. . . . Brian Williams, projected as a starting center, signed a multiyear contract with the Giants. . . . Tackle Andy Heck joined the Chicago Bears when the Seattle Seahawks did not match the Bears’ four-year, $10-million offer.

Miscellany

Joe Hipp won the North American Boxing Federation title with a unanimous Heavyweight 12-round decision over defending champion Alex Garcia in Atlantic City, N.J. . . . Jeff Purvis will take over the Winston Cup ride of Neil Bonnett, who was killed in a crash last month at Daytona International Speedway. . . . China’s Sun Cayan and Germany’s Nicole Rieger set a women’s world indoor record in the pole vault, clearing 13 feet 4 3/4 inches at Karlsruhe, Germany.