Sports digest 12/19/01

Norman receives Masters invitation

The major championship that has haunted Greg Norman throughout his career is giving him another chance. He received a special invitation Tuesday from Augusta National Golf Club to play in next year's Masters.

"I'm not one to say a course owes me one, but given my record there and the fact that I know Augusta so well, perhaps something special will happen in April," Norman said.

Norman has been a runner-up at the Masters three times, including his most memorable collapse in 1996, when he squandered a six-stroke lead against Nick Faldo in the final round by shooting a 78.

The 46-year-old Australian was the only player to receive a special invitation, which Augusta reserves for international players. It was the first time in 10 years that Norman did not otherwise qualify.

Billionaire Lauries are MU arena donors

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Shedding secrecy, billionaire Bill Laurie acknowledged Tuesday that his family made the anonymous, $25 million donation to build a new University of Missouri basketball arena.

Laurie, whose wife Nancy Laurie is an heir to the Wal-Mart fortune, owns the St. Louis Blues hockey team.

"On behalf of our family, we are very proud and honored to be a part of this project," Bill Laurie said. "This was a family discussion. This was a family decision on this gift."

The Lauries, who live in Columbia, had previously been named as the donors as early as last spring by various news outlets. But top university officials had refused to confirm the reports, even amid statehouse and campus criticism about letting anonymous parties effectively set school priorities.

The Lauries were introduced as the donors during a reception Tuesday in Columbia.

Kansas dismisses quarterback Kinsey

LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Even before he has assembled a coaching staff, new Kansas football coach Mark Mangino dismissed next season's likely starting quarterback for violating athletic department rules.

Mario Kinsey, a redshirt freshman who had troubles on and off the field, was dismissed Tuesday.

"Mario has been dismissed from the program, but we will continue to support him in whatever ways are possible," Coach Mark Mangino said. "We wish him the best of luck."

The athletic department would not release any more information about Kinsey's violations, spokesman Doug Vance said.

Kinsey played in 10 games last season, starting seven. He completed 88 of 202 passes for 1,215 yards and seven touchdowns.

Kinsey's problems away from football included being charged in May with marijuana possession in his hometown of Waco, Texas.

He also was charged in September with misdemeanor counts of theft of lost or mislaid property and two counts of criminal use of a financial card.

-- From wire reports