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.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

If we ever get into any heavy combat, I just want you guys to know I'm behind you, every step of the way.

Lighten up, Francis.....

[Michael.SF.]

Nice List. But, I would suggest Porky's move out of the top five and be replaced by Young Frankentstein. Which would then Give Mel Brooks 3 out of five.

Gene Wilder as Dr. Frankenstein

Blazzing Saddles trivia foot note: Gov. Le Petomane's name was most likely selected by Mel Brooks in honor of one Joseph Pujol who toured Europe in the 1890's billed as "Le Petomane". He was more commonly referred to by his fans as "the Fart King." His act consisted of making humourous farts and songs via flatulance. His show closer was to blow out a footlight from two feet away. He also headlined at the Moulin Rouge and commanded higher ticket prices then Sarah Bernhardt

[Finalapproach29er]

yes. recognize my tag line?

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Miss it, Noonan....miss...

[Petronski]

He's six foot two...six-five with the hair..."

[finnman69]

" Oh god look at that, wash off the soap. That's right, Wash.. Oh. .. Look at that. Bend over, drop the soap. Oh, good t*ts. Good. Oh god, I wish I was a loofah!"

[TankerKC]

I just bought the DVD and watched Stripes this weekend. Great movie!

[Chancellor Palpatine]

"Abby...Abby something...Abby normal. Thats it!"

[finnman69]

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Mr. Taggart, you use your tongue purtier than a 20 dollar whore.....

[BlueLancer]

It wasn't me ... I didn't do it ... The man was dead when I got there.

I ran out of gas! I had a flat tire! I didn't have enough money for cab fare! My tux didn't come back from the cleaners! An old friend came in from out of town! Someone stole my car! There was an earthquake! A terrible flood! Locusts! IT WASN'T MY FAULT, I SWEAR TO GOD!"

[Chancellor Palpatine]

How stupid could I be? [smacking head]

I forgot The Blues Brothers!

[Feiny]

Real Women Know their Caddyshack quotes also!!!

You're crazy!

That's what they said about Son of Sam.

[habs4ever]

Yaknow, before Bill Murray immortalized golf, there was an epic called The Longest Yard that did the same for prison football ;-)

The Mean Machine is an icon!

[ctlpdad]

"The first one ordered 2 fried chickens, and the other dry white toast"
"Oh No, don't you go leavin me, boy!"

I love Aretha Franklin's role in that movie.

We tried a couple times to count the wrecked cars in that movie & lost count at well over 100. loved it!!

[jriemer]

[Constitution Day]

Work, work, work. Work, work, work. Work, work, work.
Hello boys, have a good night's rest? I missed you!

[Feiny]

"People say that I'm an idiot because all I do is cut lawns for a living."
"Oh, people don't say that as far as you know."

[ctlpdad]

"I present you with a Laurel, and Hardy handshake."

[RichInOC]

"I was born to love you,
"I was born to lick your face,
"I was born to rub you,
"But you were born to rub me first."