January 13, 2007
PAST CHAMPIONS COUPLES, MICKELSON, WEIR LEAD WAY FOR 48th BOB HOPE CLASSIC HOSTED BY GEORGE LOPEZ, JAN. 16-21
Bettis, Clemens, Eastwood, Jackson, Pesci, Romano Among All-Star Celebrity Cast
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. - Past champions Fred Couples, Phil Mickelson and Mike Weir lead the way for the 48th Bob Hope Classic Hosted by George Lopez, Jan. 16-21.
Other past champions in the 2007 Classic field include defending champion Chad Campbell, David Duval, who shot a record 59 in the final round in 1999, Mark Brooks, John Cook, Joe Durant, Keith Fergus, Donnie Hammond, Steve Jones, Justin Leonard, Jesper Parnevik, Corey Pavin and Kenny Perry. Cook, Mickelson and Pavin are two-time winners of the Classic.
Actor/comedian Lopez is serving as host of the Classic for the first time. Other celebrity entries include: Marcus Allen, Anthony Anderson, Yogi Berra, Jerome Bettis, Michael Bolton, Glen Campbell, Don Cheadle, Roger Clemens, Alice Cooper, Carson Daly, Oscar de la Hoya, Tom Dreesen, Clint Eastwood (Saturday only), Mike Eruzione, Marshall Faulk, Kenny G, Andy Garcia, Mossimo Giannulli, Taylor Hicks, Samuel L. Jackson, Joe Kernen, Jimmy Kimmel (Saturday only), Huey Lewis, Cheech Marin, Ed Marinaro, Craig T. Nelson, Joe Pesci, Maury Povich, Ray Romano (Friday and Saturday only), Burt Rutan, Boris Said and Sterling Sharpe.
Sponsor's exemptions have been awarded to two-time major winners Bernhard Langer and Mark O'Meara, and Tommy Armour III, Brent Geiberger, John Huston, former La Quinta High School star Anthony Kim, Jim Rutledge and Duffy Waldorf.
Other players with Southern California ties include: Rich Barcelo, Olin Browne, Jason Gore, Jeff Gove, Paul Goydos, Charley Hoffman, Hunter Mahan, John Mallinger, Ross Marcano, Bob May, John Merrick, Kevin Na, Pat Perez, Tom Pernice, Jr. and Paul Stankowski.
The celebrity field's schedule: Wednesday, Jan. 17, Bermuda Dunes Country Club; Thursday, Jan. 18, La Quinta Country Club; Friday, Jan. 19, Arnold Palmer Private Course at PGA WEST; Saturday, Jan. 20, Classic Club. All five days of the Classic will be televised for the first time on The Golf Channel. At stake is a purse of $5 million, $900,000 to the winner.
In 47 years, the tournament has donated more than $43 million to local charities throughout the Coachella Valley. Tickets are priced at only $25 per day, with several packages offering additional savings, and further details are available at www.bhcc.com or by calling 1.888.MRBHOPE (672.4673). The fifth season of the "George Lopez Show" premieres Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 8 p.m. on ABC.
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