August 1, 2008
BOB HOPE CLASSIC ADDS NICKLAUS PRIVATE COURSE AT PGA WEST TO ROTATION FOR 50TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT IN 2009
LA QUINTA, Calif. - As it celebrates its 50th anniversary tournament Jan. 19-25, 2009, the Bob Hope Classic's host course will be the Palmer Private Course at PGA West. Other courses in the 2009 rotation will be Bermuda Dunes Country Club, an original course in the first tournament in 1960, La Quinta's SilverRock Resort, which debuted in 2008, and the Nicklaus Private Course at PGA West, in the rotation for the first time.
Golf and Palm Springs icon Arnold Palmer will serve as host for the 50th anniversary Classic. Palmer played in the tournament 42 of its 50 years and he is the only five-time champion, winning the inaugural tournament in 1960 and again in 1962, '68, '71 and '73. He won a total of 62 PGA TOUR titles.
The Classic Club, the flagship course of the tournament and host club in 2006-07-08, will not be in the rotation in 2009, but will be included in other Classic activities. The Palmer Private Course at PGA West first served as host course in 1990. It served in that role again in 1993, '99 and from 2001-05.
"The Berger Foundation understands the rotation adjustment for the 50th anniversary and is anticipating added events for the Classic Club that will add financial support for Valley charities along with the Bob Hope Classic event," stated Ron Auen, President of the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation.
"We are looking forward with great anticipation to our 50th anniversary tournament," said Classic President John Foster. "We are excited about the courses in our 2009 rotation and we know they will offer excellent competitive conditions for our professionals and amateurs."
"Classic Club is a wonderful, challenging course donated to the tournament by the Berger Foundation," added Foster. "It provides the Bob Hope Classic organization with significant flexibility now and in the future. Because the tournament format includes the use of private clubs, the rotation is set annually. Thus in 2010 and beyond, the rotation will be reviewed for the good of the tournament."
The five-day Classic is played each winter on four different desert courses. It features 128 top PGA TOUR professionals and 384 amateur contestants, including a stellar list of 30 celebrities.
In 49 years, the tournament has donated over $45 million to local charities throughout the Coachella Valley. Tickets priced at only $25 per day, with several packages offering additional savings, and further information are available at www.bhcc.com or by calling 1.888.MRBHOPE (672.4673).
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