The Golf Tournament with Two Names 60th Anniversay

The Desert Golf Classic use to be the Bob Hope Classic and will always be the Bob Hope Classic to me.

Why they had to change the name of this truly historic Golf Classic is beyond me…and probably you.

So, things change, but does the name have to change? Yes, I know, only about 10% of the general population knew about Bob Hope. However, over 80% of the people who watch and play golf know Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Sammy Davis Jr who all had a PGA golf tournament carrying their name.

But, why did they have to change the name from the Bob Hope Desert Classic to the Dessert Classic?

rom the LaTimes.com.…Bob Hope…“rescued a moderately successful, 5-year-old tournament called the Palm Springs Golf Classic and it became the Bob Hope Desert Classic in 1965. Despite his death, Hope’s name on the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic is sure to be there in 2004.”

“But what’s going to happen after that?”

“The best bet is that Hope’s name will stay with the tournament through 2006. That’s when the PGA Tour’s network television deal ends and also marks the last year of the Hope tournament’s contract with title sponsor Chrysler.”

“Tournament officials have an agreement with the Hope family to be able to use his name and likeness in connection with the event as long as it continues to add to its $37 million of charitable contributions.”

“Unless Chrysler is different from most other title sponsors, the company is going to want more bang for its considerable buck. Chrysler is also the title sponsor of the Chrysler Classic of Tucson, the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro, N.C., and the Chrysler Championship, in Tampa, Fla.”

“The Chrysler Desert Classic may be only a few years away.”

As for the Desert Classic name, the Desert Sun reports…“the tournament was known as either the Bob Hope Desert Classic or the Bob Hope Classic from 1965 through 1985, with Chrysler’s name added to the title in 1986. The Challenge part of the title was added when Humana took over the title sponsorship role in 2012. Sanders said the tournament board is happy to bring the Desert Classic name back.”

Nonetheless, The Bob Hope and the sister tournament Diana Shore Classics, both held in the Palm Springs California area, are my Start of the Golf Season. However you remember the Desert Classic it still is a Classic Golf Tournament to watch.

I know I will be watching. Let me know how I can Help!!