May 06, 2005
The H. N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation Donates Classic Course at NorthStar
to the Bob Hope Classic
Ron Auen and John Foster
Shaun Parr, the midday host at KZLA, emcee for the day introduced Taylor Funk and his dad, professional golfer Fred Funk to the crowd attending the ceremony
Fred and Taylor Funk join the Bob Hope Classic and Berger Foundation Board of Directors in pin flag ceremony
Crowd Gathers to watch first ball hit at the Classic Course at NorthStar
The Classic Course at NorthStar was formally gifted by the H.N. & Francis C. Berger Foundation to the Bob Hope Classic during a festive ceremony held January 24, 2005 in Palm Desert. The Arnold Palmer-designed championship course opens play in November and will serve as a host club for the PGA TOUR's Bob Hope Classic beginning in January 2006.
With common goals, the Berger Foundation and the Bob Hope Classic have united their efforts to continue to give to worthwhile organizations within the Coachella Valley. In addition, the Berger Foundation guaranteed the Classic a venue worthy of renowned recognition. Since moving to Palm Desert 10 years ago, the Berger Foundation has provided generously to various charities throughout the valley, while the Bob Hope Classic has donated more than $40.5 million to charity since 1960.
"The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation is continually looking for ways to create long term benefits for the Coachella Valley," said Ron Auen, president and chief executive officer of the Berger Foundation. "With that said, the Bob Hope Classic is a charity that has been a leader with its generosity for many, many years in the valley. The Berger Foundation is developing the Classic Course at NorthStar with charitable goals in mind. This gift to the Bob Hope Classic is a gift in perpetuity continuing our mutual charitable purposes."
"This is one of the most generous and important gifts ever given a charity in the Coachella Valley," said John Foster, a member of the Classic executive board. "What is magical is that this significant gift from The Berger Foundation is one that will keep on giving. The Bob Hope Classic and the Berger Foundation forged this relationship because we share a similar goal in offering a helping hand to the youth and needy of the Coachella Valley. The entire Bob Hope Classic family is grateful for this incredibly generous gift, which will have a dramatic impact on the future of the Bob Hope Classic."
With the Classic Course at NorthStar, the Bob Hope Classic becomes the second PGA TOUR event to own its tournament venue. The Par-72 layout will feature pine-studded fairways, an intricate network of 30 acres of lakes, streams and water features, as well as course contours that allow dramatic elevations between holes. At 7,536 yards, the course was conceived to challenge TOUR professionals, but also designed with a variety of tee options so players of all levels can experience a challenging and enjoyable round of golf.
"This is a public access golf course with the amenities of the best of private clubs in our area," said Foster. "It will be so exciting for the general public to hit shots that they have seen during the tournament or on network television."
The Classic Course at NorthStar will be one of the most fan-friendly courses on the PGA TOUR. There will be dozens of spectator mounds scattered throughout the course, with large elevated "viewing parks" from which fans will be able to see the action on several holes from one location. The park-like settings and picnic areas will provide maximum views of the course and surrounding scenery such as the snow-capped Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains. Jumbotron televisions scattered throughout will provide even further enjoyment, assuring the golf fan attending the Bob Hope Classic won't miss any of the action.
Professional Fred Funk was honored with the first tee-off at the Classic Course at NorthStar
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