Star Roster Announced For 2010 Bob Hope Classic
RANCHO MIRAGE -Defending champion Pat Perez and past champions Justin Leonard and Kenny Perry head the early pro entries, and famed musician Kenny G, future baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux, actor/game show host John O’Hurley and actor Kurt Russell are among the initial celebrity athletes and entertainers set to participate in the 51st Bob Hope Classic, Jan. 18-24.
Joining Leonard, Perez and Perry among the early pro entries are Brian Gay, Jerry Kelly, Matt Kuchar, La Quinta resident Scott McCarron, Brandt Snedeker, David Toms and Boo Weekley. Perry, Gay, Toms, Kelly, Kuchar and Leonard were in the top 30 on the PGA TOUR money list this year.
Other early celebrity participants for the 2010 Classic, a desert tradition since 1960, include: musicians Alice Cooper, Don Felder (formerly of the Eagles) and Robby Krieger (The Doors), singers Michael Bolton, Josh Kelley and Clay Walker, actors Anthony Anderson (Law and Order), William Devane (24, The West Wing), Jeffrey Donovan (Burn Notice), Jerry Ferrara (Entourage), Joel Gretsch (V), Oliver Hudson (Rules of Engagement), Kyle MacLachlan (Desperate Housewives), Chris O’Donnell (NCIS: Los Angeles), Dennis Quaid (Far from Heaven), Stephanie Szostak (The Devil Wears Prada), Patrick Warburton (Seinfeld), actor/comedian Kevin Nealon, comedian Tom Dreesen, former Major League Baseball and National Football League standout Bo Jackson, 2008 American League Rookie of the Year Evan Longoria, former NHL star Jeremy Roenick, former Green Bay Packers wide receiver and NFL analyst Sterling Sharpe and six-time Pro Bowl selection and “Dancing With the Stars” runner-up Jason Taylor.
The celebrity field’s schedule is as follows: Wednesday, Jan. 20, SilverRock Resort; Thursday, Jan. 21, La Quinta Country Club; Friday, Jan. 22, Nicklaus Private at PGA WEST; Saturday, Jan. 23, Arnold Palmer Private at PGA WEST.
Practice rounds for the 2010 Classic at all four courses will be conducted Monday, Jan. 18 and Tuesday, Jan. 19. Tournament play begins Wednesday, Jan. 20 and concludes Sunday, Jan. 24 at the Palmer Private at PGA WEST. The five-day Classic features 128 top PGA TOUR professionals and 384 amateur contestants, including 30 celebrities. All five days of the Classic will be televised on Golf Channel. At stake is a purse of $5 million, $900,000 to the winner.
