Newspaper editor loses job over using Caddyshack quotes in golf story

ESPN/AP ^ | 07/07/03 | AP

[Pikamax]

Monday, July 7

Editor loses job over 'Caddyshack' embellishment

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Associated Press

ROSWELL, N.M. -- The sports editor of the Roswell Daily Record has been fired for fabricating part of a news story about a golf tournament in which he quoted a fictional character from the movie "Caddyshack."

Gregory M. Jones was dismissed by the Daily Record on June 17, the day after his article about a Father's Day golf tournament at the Roswell Country Club appeared on the sports page, editor Mike Bush said.

"He got a bunch of scores and wanted to make it more interesting," Bush said Thursday. He said he did not know if Jones attended the tournament.

He said the newspaper insists on accuracy and objectivity and "we don't tolerate anything less than that."

Jones, 24, said he was shocked by his firing and did not intend to deceive his editors or readers.

"It was tongue-in-cheek. It was sports. I was trying to be light and breezy. I was trying to put out a story that people might like to read," he said in a telephone interview.

Jones was hired in July 2002 as a reporter, was promoted to state-business editor in November and became sports editor in April.

Bush said the story contained three fictitious paragraphs referring to a Carl Spangler who claimed to work at the course. In "Caddyshack," Bill Murray played a golf course worker named Carl Spackler.

Jones quoted Spangler as saying he invented a new kind of grass for the tournament. The quotation in Jones' story is taken directly from "Caddyshack."

"'This is a hybrid ... of bluegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, featherbed bent and northern California sensemilia (sic),' Spangler said. 'The amazing stuff about this, is that you can play 36 holes on it in the afternoon, take it home and just get stoned to the bejeezus-belt that night on the stuff."'

Bush said the Daily Record received "a couple of complaints" about the story. The newspaper ran a correction.

[MattinNJ]

I too have an uncut version of Blazing Saddles that pisses off my wife

"You're all jumping around like a bunch of Kansas City faggots"

[Pahuanui]

I hear this place is restricted Wang, so don't tell 'em your Jewish.

[finnman69]

"You'll have nothing and like it!"

[new cruelty]

LOL, no kidding. My wife (book worm that she is) just discovered that movie LAST MONTH. It is now her favorite film. She particularly enjoys Ted Knight and Rodney Dangerfield.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

I never liked that all that much.

The best Peter Sellers was "A Shot in the Dark", where he plays Clouseau across from a completely hot blonde chick (Elke sommers? Britt Ekland?).

[finnman69]

Stripes should be on that list.

Ivan Reitman is a god.

[vin-one]

Ok, I guess I will have to rent the producers.

Animal house used to be my all time favorite,
Caddy Shack is definately one of the best,

One of my fav quotes, Chevy with Lacy, talking about the oriental decor
when she asks were you in Nam, and Chevy grabs his hip with a limp and says no Homo.......

[Lee'sGhost]

"At least he didn't quote Jack Meoff."

Which begs the question, "If you helped Jack on the horse, would you help Jack off the horse?"

[ctlpdad]

"There's no gambling at Bushwood"

[Chancellor Palpatine]

I considered meatballs, but good as it is, its just not in the same league.

And I used to work next door to the apartment that they used in the first half hour of Stripes.

[Petronski]

"You're all jumping around like a bunch of Kansas City faggots"

That line always makes me laugh out loud, much the same way this one does:

"Gentlemen! You can't fight in here, this is a War Room!"

[Labyrinthos]

Bachlor Party is in my top five, Stripes is a top ten. Meatballs is not quite up there.

[Constitution Day]

The way ya lollygagging aroun' with them picks and them shovels, you'd think it was a-hunnert an' twenny degrees!

Cain't be more than a-hunnert an' fourteen!

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Just the original Porky's.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Dock that c**** a day's pay for nappin' on the job....

[Labyrinthos]

I always used the close caption. I'll look for Snatch this weekend.

[new cruelty]

This reminds me, I once received 10 swats from my 7th grade P.E. coach for quoting Bill Murray's "Cinderella Story / Cinderella Boy" scene while I was supposed to be practicing a golf swing.

[wimpycat]

Of course you wouldn't like it...it's a masterpiece.

[Jonx6]

ping

[Chancellor Palpatine]

I have some more film recommendations for you....