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PALM DESERT, California Jan 17 (Reuters) – The Bob HopeClassic has lost some its lustre in recent years and worldnumber 24 Stewart Cink is not surprised he is thehighest-ranked player in this week’s field. “Since they changed the golf courses around here a littlebit, a lot of players are a little skittish about playing,”American Cink told Reuters after shooting a one-under-par 71 onthe SilverRock Resort layout in Thursday’s second round. “I’ve taken off two years here because of the new (ClassicClub) course and I’ve wanted to wait and see the feedback fromthe players. “This is a good tournament but there are so many other goodones on the PGA Tour that it’s hard to choose which ones youare going to play. Sometimes there is almost no rhyme andreason to it.” First held in 1960 when golfing great Arnold Palmerclinched the inaugural title, the Bob Hope Classic is a pro-amcelebrity event played over five rounds and four differentvenues. Its list of winners includes heavyweights such as JackNicklaus, Billy Casper and Johnny Miller while Bing Crosby,Burt Lancaster, Frank Sinatra and Kirk Douglas have lit up itsglittering cast of celebrities over the years. Much has changed, though, since then. Long-time tournament host Bob Hope, a four-handicapper whoranks as one of Hollywood’s greatest golfers, has made way forcomedian George Lopez. This year’s list of celebrities is headed by the likes ofactors Samuel L. Jackson and Don Cheadle and rock stars AliceCooper and Meat Loaf. ENTIRELY REPLACED The initial rotation of venues — Thunderbird, Tamarisk,Bermuda Dunes and Indian Wells — has been entirely replaced bycourses more suited to the high-tech equipment and powerhitters in the modern game. The Arnold Palmer-designed Classic Club took over fromIndian Wells in 2006 but its location in a veritable windtunnel has made it an unpopular venue for many of the players. World number two Phil Mickelson, Bob Hope champion in 2002and 2004, is believed to be among that company and is a notableabsentee this week. Last year, Mickelson battled to a closing six-over-par 78at the Classic Club as winds gusted up to 70 kph in theCoachella Valley. The tournament’s pro-am format, with the pace of playalways likely to be tortuous, does not appeal to every playeron the PGA Tour. World number one Tiger Woods has notably neverplayed in the event. However, those who decide to tee it up at the Hope knowexactly what they are in for and generally make the most of theexperience. “I have always enjoyed coming and playing at the Hope,”1997 British Open champion Justin Leonard said after playing inthe company of Alice Cooper and Meat Loaf on Thursday. “It’s a great place early in the year to get some of therust off and it’s a really relaxed atmosphere,” the Americansaid after charging into contention with an eight-under 64 atLa Quinta Country Club. “I have played with Alice a couple of times and he’s areally nice guy, very laid-back and a good golfer. “And Meat Loaf couldn’t be a sweeter guy. He struggled alittle bit with his game today but he made a great par on thelast hole. It was fun to be there today.” MP 59 R11 MP 69 This article is from http://www.golfbestclubs.com/ More Top Golf Clubs wholesale at http://www.golfbestclubs.com/ X-24 RAZR X 712 AP2
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