Bob Hope Classic
Date: Jan. 19- 23, 2011
Location: Palm Desert, California; La Quinta, California
Course: PGA West (Palmer Course), La Quinta, California — PGA West (Nicklaus Course) — La Quinta CC — Silver Rock
Purse: $5,000,000
Defending Champ: Bill Haas
FedEX Cup Points: 500
The 2011 PGA TOUR is heading to the west coast and this weekend golfers will be attacking PGA West Arnold Palmer Private Course in La Quinta, California for the 52nd anniversary of the Bob Hope Classic.
The Bob Hope Classic follows quickly after the Sony Open in Hawaii and is the third event of the PGA Tour. It is an unusual event as it is played over five days, rather than the usual four, and rotates between four LA Quinta course in California each day, the Arnold Palmer private course, Jack Nicklaus private course, SilverRock Resort and La Quinta Country Club.
The event itself makes for interesting golf betting and often attracts some top players who are always worth keeping an eye in the odds. However, Tiger Woods has never played the event due to the celebrity part of the event, but others such as Phil Mickelson, Justin Leonard and Jesper Parnevik have won the tournament in the past and are worth keeping an eye on in the golf betting lines.
There is a $5 million prize purse on offer, with the winner receiving $900,000, and the event itself coincides with the European Tour’s Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.
2011 Bob Hope Classic Winner
Rookie Jhonattan Vegas won a 3-way playoff to claim his first PGA Tour victory. Vegas, Gary Woodland and defending champ Bill Haas all finished at 27-under 333. Haas was eliminated on the first playoff hole, then Vegas won the title with a par to Woodland’s bogey on the second extra hole. That par came despite Vegas hitting his tee ball in the water.
Bob Hope Classic History
The Bob Hope Classic, or “The Hope,” is a golf tournament played in California’s Coachella Valley in January each year. This tournament is well-known for its celebrity pro-am, which has seen the likes of Bing Crosby, Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Phil Harris and Desi Arnaz tee off during tournament play. In 1965, Bob Hope, one of Hollywood’s best golfers, added his name to the tournament and became the Classic’s Board Chairmain. This is an event you do not want to miss. For four days, celebrities from all walks of fame join the PGA players on the course for a classic tournament.
Previous Bob Hope Classic Winners
Year Winner Country Score
2001 Joe Durant USA 324 (-36)
2002 Phil Mickelson USA 330 (-30)
2003 Mike Weir Canada 330 (-30)
2004 Phil Mickelson USA 330 (-30)
2005 Justin Leonard USA 332 (-28)
2006 Chad Campbell USA 335 (-25)
2007 Charley Hoffman USA 343 (-17)
2008 D J Trahan USA 334 (-26)
2009 Pat Perez USA 327 (-33)
2010 Bill Haas USA 330 (-30)
