The Stars Shine In The Desert
At The Bob Hope Chrysler Classic
By Pat Bennet
When the 49th annual Bob Hope Chrysler Classic hosted by George Lopez kicks off the week of January 14, some of the greatest names in the entertainment and sports worlds will be on hand. More than 500 golfers - amateurs and some of the top PGA TOUR players - will compete with the intention of achieving glory and having a great time.
From left to right: Oscar De La Hoya, George Lopez, Clint Eastwood, Samuel L. Jackson and Tom Dreeson
The Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, since its inception, has been more than just about celebrities - or even golf. From the first tournament in 1960, the event was designed to raise money for local charity. In the ensuing years, nearly $44 million has gone to hundreds of local organizations and helped to establish and maintain one of the country's most famed medical institutions, Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage.
The tournament is unique in several other aspects. For starters, it is the only five-day event on the PGA TOUR schedule and the only event which utilizes four different courses.
The Bob Hope Chrysler Classic also is the only PGA TOUR event that owns its own golf course. The aptly named Classic Club is the permanent host club for the tournament and this year will unveil its new clubhouse, designed by the firm of Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo. The new facility serves as the centerpiece for the golf complex but also features Rattlesnake, the restaurant owned and operated by famed chef Jimmy Schmidt. With the opening of the new clubhouse, the Classic Club has become one of the most prestigious golf facilities in the nation.
Over the years, the professional who has won the tournament has been one of the best players of his era. The roster of Classic Champions is headed by the legendary Arnold Palmer, who won the first event in 1960 and four later tournaments. Also on the list of past champions are Jack Nicklaus, Billy Casper, Johnny Miller, Craig Stadler, Corey Pavin, Jay Haas - and more recently Phil Mickelson and Fred Couples.
The amateurs who compete in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic are local club members and business people from around the world. Last year, contestants came from Ireland, England, Germany, Australia and Indonesia.
The Bob Hope Chrysler Classic has a tremendous celebrity field as well. For the past 49 years, most of the great names in entertainment and sports have played in the tournament, highlighted by the tournament host Bob Hope. At the 49th annual event, some of the celebrities scheduled to play (as of this writing) are present-day host George Lopez, Roger Clemens, Samuel L. Jackson, Kenny G, Oscar de la Hoya, Chris O'Donnell, Michael Bolton and Jerome Bettis.
Classic Club Clubhouse
The Bob Hope Chrysler Classic hosted by George Lopez is a one-of-a-kind event that combines the best of entertainment and fund-raising.
January 2008 Issue