I remember when the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic used to be filled with top notch celebrities.

Oh for the days when Rush Limbaugh strolled the fairways smooching a cigar, getting cheers from fans who planted huge signs for him on the sides of their homes. (There's a lot more red in Palm Springs than you'd first think).

If only we could go back to the times when Matthew McConaughey preened around the course, apparently seeing mirrors that weren't there.

Ah, those golden times. You know, last year.

It really is amazing how far the Bob Hope's fallen in one calendar flip. One transition illustrates the sad slide perfectly. In 2006, the Bob Hope had Justin Timberlake, the boy band legend turned serious artist and hell of an interesting personality. In 2007, it has Taylor Hicks.

Yes, that Taylor Hicks. The prematurely gray-haired moron from American Idol, the worst show in the history of television. How low can the Bob Hope people go?

Was 29">Menudo already booked for the week or something?

It's bad enough to go from McConaughey to Andy Garcia and Rush to ... well, nobody. But Timberlake to Taylor Hicks? You might as well see if Tito Jackson can swing a golf club now. And maybe Erik Estrada and Wee Man will be free next year.

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