The Next Step for Jordan Involves a Lot of Hope

Here’s Michael Jordan’s new transition game: from the floor to “Fore!” Basketball’s newly retired icon moves into another arena next week when he picks up his golf clubs and plays in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.

Jordan will be part of the celebrity field in the $3-million PGA Tour event, with the Palmer Course at PGA West serving as the host course. Jordan’s partner is scheduled to be Charles Barkley, who should be in somebody’s training camp, but doesn’t have a contract.

It isn’t that unusual to find Jordan on a golf course because that was always his venue of choice when he wasn’t practicing basketball, playing games or sleeping. Last month, Jordan played in the Lexus Challenge at La Quinta, where his partner was Hale Irwin.

Irwin was asked Wednesday what kind of golfer Jordan was. Said Irwin: “Not as good as he thinks he is.”

Irwin also said Jordan indicated he would like to play the AT&T; Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, Feb. 4-7, with Tiger Woods as his partner.