Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Michael Jordan, NBA, Golf
Chris Nee
Even being widely regarded as the greatest NBA star of all time can't open every door, as Michael Jordan discovered when he was banned from a top golf club.
Jordan won six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls between 1991 and 1998 and was named NBA Finals MVP on each occasion.
Now 62, Jordan still stands as the player with the highest-ever NBA salary when adjusted for inflation.
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As well as a stint in baseball in the middle of his career, Jordan's been involved in other sports in his NBA retirement, perhaps most notably NASCAR, and he likes a round of golf as so many retired sportspeople do once they've hung up their boots, gloves, spikes and singlets.
But the Bulls legend can't play 18 holes everywhere. He is banned from one renowned golf club after breaking a rule that it takes very seriously indeed.
In 2012, Jordan was issued with an outright ban from La Gorce Country Club in Miami, Florida, for unwittingly flouting the dress code for its 18-hole course.
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According to the L.A. Times newspaper, dedicated golfer Jordan played the first 11 holes wearing cargo pants, strictly banned by the prestigious club's course rules.
He was then approached by La Gorce club officials and asked to head back to the clubhouse and change into more compliant attire. He was banned for life when he refused.
Jordan's representative spoke on his behalf after the ban: "Michael Jordan did wear cargo pants. He had been there many times before and had worn cargo pants previously, and had never been made aware that he was violating any dress code.
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"This time, he was made aware of the violation on the 12th hole, and at that point he did refuse to interrupt his game, and return to the clubhouse and change. We were not aware that he is not allowed to return to La Gorce. I guess it’s their loss as MJ is a great golfer, and a great guest."
Even by golf's standards, La Gorce is notoriously lofty and difficult to access even for the very wealthy.
According to Fortune, the South Florida club sets the bar high: "At the more traditional La Gorce – one of the most exclusive country clubs in South Florida – members must be sponsored by five other current members, and there is a $1 million fee to join... plus a years-long wait list."
In fairness, it doesn't sound like a cargo pants kind of place.