November 17, 2008
BOB HOPE CLASSIC ANNOUNCES "CLASSIC GIRLS" FOR 2009
La Quinta, Calif. (November 17, 2008) — The Bob Hope Classic hosted by Arnold Palmer announced the three women who will serve as Classic Girls for the 50th anniversary celebration.
The new Bob Hope Classic Girls are: Heather Hasting-Gorski of Indio as "Hope," Ashley DeWitt of La Quinta as "Chrysler," and Jamie Lynn Strzelczyk of Indio as "Classic." The three were chosen out of 65 women who competed in the tryouts.
"I'm honored and ecstatic to be a part of a tradition that defines the valley," said Hasting-Gorski, 26, the eldest of four daughters of Mark and Dorothy Hastings of Palm Springs.
She attended Palm Springs High School and graduated in 2000. She received her BA in Education and Communications with a minor in Early Childhood Studies at the University of California, San Diego in 2004. She works with her family as Vice-President of Administration at First School of the Desert Preschool/Child Care Center. The most important part of her life is the friendship and memories she shares with her family. She said she can't wait to build upon these memories with the experiences she will have with the other two Classic Girls.
Ashley DeWitt, an athletic and outgoing 22 year old, attended La Quinta High School where she was a member of the yearbook staff and competed on the water polo and swim teams. She was also very active in her local 4-H club and Junior Rodeo Association.
While at college in Arizona, DeWitt was involved in a non-profit organization called Horses Help, which gave disabled individuals a chance to ride and have an experience with horses. She currently works for Franklin Loan Center and plans on finishing her degree in communications and working toward a real estate license.
"It's a real honor to be a Classic Girl for the 50th Anniversary," said DeWitt.
Jamie Lynn Strzelczyk, 26, was born and raised in the Coachella Valley. In high school Strzelczyk was active in local performing arts, participating in the National Date Festival Pageant and Children's Playtime Productions. She also volunteered to work with the deaf and hard of hearing. After graduating from high school she began working for Disney in their entertainment department while attending classes to become an interpreter for the deaf. Later, she became interested in international relations and was part of the U.S. Embassy community in Moldovia. She earned a bachelor's degree in Human Services Management and plans to continue serving her community through volunteerism.
The Classic Girls are the official goodwill ambassadors of the tournament. They participate in tournament promotions with celebrity players and leading PGA TOUR professionals on telecasts to air in the United States, Canada and 140 countries worldwide.
Tryouts were held on November 14th at the Bermuda Dunes Country Club. The panel of judges included John Foster, president and tournament chairman, directors Bob Brennan, Greg Helm and Clarke Rheney, past Classic Girls Caroldean Ross ("Bob" 1982) and Kate Spates ("Hope" 1991 and 1992).
Arnold Palmer will host the 50th Anniversary of the Bob Hope Classic, to be played Jan. 19-25, 2009. Palmer has played the tournament 42 of its 50 years and has also won five of his 62 PGA TOUR titles there, including his last. Palmer is as much a staple of the Coachella Valley as the tournament itself.
Since the inception of the Bob Hope Classic in 1960, the tournament has donated nearly $47 million to charities throughout the Coachella Valley. For further details, visit www.bhcc.com or call (888) MR-BHOPE (672-4673).
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MEDIA ADVISORY
Meet the new Classic Girls. To schedule interviews and on-air appearances, contact Abby Savich-Massey at (760) 346-8184 or abby@bhcc.com.
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