The Bob Hope Chrysler Classic is being played this week in Palm Springs. Here is what Jigger had to say about it last year. A few things have changed this year. First of all George Lopez has been replaced as host by Arnold Palmer. And as wonderful as it is to have Arnie hosting, apparently that hand off could have been handled better. Although it sounds like the tournament officials aren’t exactly experts at PR. In any case, no matter what Jigger thought about Mr. Lopez hosting, it sounds as if he took it very seriously, and probably would have been good for the tournament. And he could have provided at least a few years of continuity. Arnie is a wonderful host, but he is almost 80. This isn’t going to be a long term gig for him.
Here is the list of celebrities playing this year. I recognize about ½ of them. And there are no real A-listers. I have no idea if any of them can actually play golf. It would seem that even having Arnie host isn’t enough to attract big stars.
As for the golfers. Well, let’s just say it’s not the A-list there either.
The other thing that has changed is, of course, Chrysler. Chrysler has been The Hopes sponsor since 1985. I’m not sure how the general public feels about bailout money being used to host a golf tournament, but even The Golfer thinks perhaps they could have found a better use for the money. And of course the big question that no one is asking this week, but everyone is thinking is: Will there even be a Chrysler next year? And the corollary to that is: If not Chrysler, who? Given the current economic climate, who can justify spending the money to sponsor a tournament that can’t attract top name players, or celebrities?
This is the 50th anniversary of Bob’s tournament. As far as it has fallen from it’s heyday, it would still be sad if this year is it’s last.
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