A Salt Lake company has issued a challenge to Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan to test his golfing abilities against its "golf simulator" when he comes to Utah next month for All-Star Weekend.
Par T Golf Simulators is offering to erect two of its electronic simulators - Pebble Beach and Pinehurst No. 2 - in the Salt Lake Marriott ballroom so Jordan and others can play golf, regardless of the weather on Feb. 20-21.Jordan's recent comments that he'd rather skip the All-Star Game if it's in Salt Lake drew the ire of some area businesses and boosters. Jordan indicated he'd rather have the All-Star Game in warm-weather sites where players could relax and play golf.
Dan Wilson, president of Optronics Ltd., of Salt Lake, plans to set up a long-drive competition between Jordan, Utah's John Stockton, Phoenix's Charles Barkley, San Antonio's David Robinson and others. Wilson also says he will offer Jordan an invitation to play in one-on-one competition against Utah-based PGA players Mike Reid, Keith Clearwater, Jay Don Blake and Dan Forsman.
Par T simulators use pictures of actual golf courses. Players use their own golf clubs and hit real golf balls into a large screen. The computerized simulator uses infrared cameras to measure speed, angle and spin of the ball and flashes a picture of where the ball is hit. Putts are done on an artificial grass surface.
Over 200 Par T facilities are operating in the U.S. and foreign countries.