In less than two weeks, the 51st Annual Bob Hope Classic will tee off here in the valley. This year, there are some major changes in sponsorship.
The Bob Hope Classic announced Wednesday that Tennesee-based Franklin American Mortgage Company is this year's platinum sponsor. They filled in after troubled automaker Chrysler dropped out as a title sponsor in 2009. Chrysler has been a title sponsor since the early 1980s and a sponsor since the 1960s.
"(We) counted on them for big dollars," said John Foster, Tournament President. "The model we're looking at (now) is diversify a little." Foster said. "Fortunately, we've socked away a good nest egg so we can still run the tournament (and) give to charity," Foster said.
Last year, the tournament gave nearly two million dollars to local charity.
Foster said promotional signage may be the only thing different this year. There will be more materials with the Franklin name on them.
The tournament will also be referred to as the Bob Hope Classic again, as opposed to the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. The Classic girls will now be called "Bob", "Hope", and "Classic" instead of "Hope", "Chrysler" , "Classic".
Some other changes, Foster said they are planning to have more celebrities attending this year than in years past. Kurt Russell, Dennis Quaid, Alice Cooper, Michael Bolton, Bo Jackson, and Kenny G. are just some of the big names slated to play in the tournament. Yogi Berra, legendary baseball figure and Hall of Famer, will be the Tournament Ambassador.
Jerry Nantell, a golfer and tournament regular, says attendees look forward to meeting celebrities.
"Spend more time on the course. People can get some autographs," he said.
The celebrity play begins January 20th at several La Quinta golf courses. Tickets start at $25 dollars. For more information, call: (888) 672-4673.
