No excuses for Mickelson to miss Bob Hope Classic. Also drive into the wind and quotes to live by.

Saturday January 24, 2009 | 17:51:25 521 words, 28834 views

This year is considered “fifty years of Hope” and over two million dollars were distributed in 2008 to charities through the Classic event, but even so, the top fifteen PGA Tour golfers are MIA, most with no reason as to why this tournament is not worthy of their support.

Once distinguished as golf’s best celebrity pro-am event with comedians ranging from Jackie Gleason to Jack Lemmon picking up the sticks for charity, the “Hope” seems to have lost a bit of its glamour and dimension. Utilizing Arnold Palmer as celebrity host (perhaps because he won the inaugural event) and, for the most part, only being able to conjure up a few old-time has-beens with some notables like Dan Quayle, Kurt Russell and Sterling Sharpe, I wonder when Tim Finchem will stand up for events of such illustriousness and not leave it up to freedom of choice? Can the PGA Tour impose a ruling to force more top-name golfers into faltering events?

Arnold Palmer recently mentioned, “I used to spread my tournament appearances so that I never missed a tournament more than two years in a row,” but that was back in the day when guys were living paycheck-to-paycheck, not in this era where the top-100 golfers earn over $1 million per year. Also, events like the Bob Hope Classic were special and players would scramble to get a place in the field seeking publicity and possibly the status of being a winner or even having a top-ten finish.

To try and keep golfers interested in the “Hope", the tournament has even added the private Nicklaus venue, because guys like Phil Mickelson and Pat Perez voiced disapproval over the Classic course, but that has only lassoed in a few guys like Tim Clarke. Big names like Mickelson have not budged.

I just wonder if beloved Bob Hope mainstays such as the Classic and even the USO Tour will eventually become relics with a lack of consideration for the consequences?

Should fans even care whether or not another tournament bites the dust or are there simply too many events glutting the PGA Tour season? Unfortunately, for every event that fails, no matter how insignificant they may be to those who choose not to attend, the only ones that will suffer are those who depend on the charities receiving the funds.

This week Golf for Beginners wonders why Phil Mickelson has chosen the FBR Open as his season opener (we already know why Vijay Singh and Tiger Woods are not playing at this time). We also tell you how to pierce the wind utilizing your driver and offer a few quotes from golf’s greats.

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5 comments

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: J DeVaney [Visitor]

I think Phil has earned the right to pick and choose his tournaments!!!!! These guys aren't robots and can't play then all and expect there game to be top notch. Phil has a lot of responsibilites on and off the course and besides he's won it at least twice before.

Permalink 2009-01-25 @ 08:50

Comment from: Jim [Visitor]

Phil is a pansy---as I watch on the 17th I pray that Perez does not win. This is a very important charity event. I hope someday that Phil realizes his actions have consequences. He was my hero---now I think he is a bum. The desert needs the Hope. Someday, Phil will refuse to play at Torre Pines because the wind and weather is tooooo dificult. Let's let the pros show they can play the way everyday golfers do---and that wind is a part of the game. Good Luck Phil---This will be your worst year. JJ

Permalink 2009-01-25 @ 18:56

Comment from: J DeVaney [Visitor]

JJ,
I guess you don't really follow golf too closely. Phil is the 2nd winnest active player on tour Mickelson is known for his swashbuckling play ala Palmer. Far from a pansy. Get real will ya. The Hope is a birdie fest. At 38 yrs old Phil is doing the lessers a favor by not playing in it.

Permalink 2009-01-25 @ 19:47

Comment from: Joe Kutz [Visitor]

It is my understanding all PGA tournaments support worthy charities. Why bash Phil on this one? He played 2000, 2002 thru 2007 (six straight years) missing only 2001, 2008 & 2009. What top 10 player has more appearances? Phil: Seven out of 10 years; Tiger: 0 of 10. Is the tournament below Tiger? I hope Arnold can pull this together with a full year to work with until next January. He's top notch. I guess there are many concepts as to what a "fan" is. JK

Permalink 2009-01-25 @ 19:58

Comment from: Theo [Visitor] · http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/ustour/4332318/The-money-on-offer-at-the-Qatar-Masters-is-over

The Hope's deal with nearly bankrupt Chrysler expires next year. It will not be renewed. If that means the end of the Hope, the people who run this tournament have no one to blame but themselves.
The security personnel at this event, both private and taxpayer funded cops, get nastier and more belligerent every year. Despite the fact that Tiger Woods draws more fans to the Buick at the WEDNESDAY PRO-AM than the Hope draws on Saturday or Sunday, the security at the Hope will get in your face if you dare to approach some no-name like Dan Quayle for an autograph.
They need to go down to the Buick and see how San Diego PD manages to keep control of massive crowds following Tiger and Phil without being confrontational or rude.
In this economy the Hope needs every warm body it can to show up, but instead it drives them away with increasingly weak celebrity/pro fields and increasingly aggressive behavior from its overpaid rent-a-cops.

Permalink 2009-01-26 @ 07:52

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