Bob Hope Hits the Links for House Ear Institute

Two old friends got together to play a little golf Monday: Legendary comedian Bob Hope and leading otologist Dr. Howard House were the stars of a tournament to benefit the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles.

Hope and House, golf buddies for four decades, played a round at the Santa Ana Country Club with about 140 other golfers, then joined more than 200 guests for a post-tournament dinner. The benefit, staged by the Associates of the House Ear Institute of Orange County, netted about $45,000. The institute, founded by House, conducts ear research for children and adults.

America’s Ambassador

Hope had two reasons for playing in the tournament--a longtime passion for golf and loyalty to the ear institute.

“I decided to play because House is a good man and it’s a good cause--and because I’d like to hear better,” Hope quipped.

After sinking his last putt, Hope retired briefly to an office in the clubhouse where he sat with his wife, Dolores, and sipped his favorite drink: a brandy Alexander that looked like a frothy milkshake.

“I enjoyed it out there,” he said. “I play golf five days a week.”

Hope started playing golf 63 years ago and hasn’t stopped since. In 1951 his handicap was down to four. He recently finished a book on golf and had this tip for his fellow duffers:

“Just keep trying.”

Hope isn’t even thinking of retiring. When not golfing, “I figure out a show or something,” he said. He’s working on a three-hour Christmas special that will feature highlights from his performances “for all the troops I played for.”

Hope shared quips with House and others. When asked about his numerous visits to the White House during the Reagan years, Hope joked about his overnight stays in the Lincoln room:

“In the middle of the night I heard a voice ask, ‘How did the play end?’ ”

Thanks for the Memories

After a dinner of stuffed chicken breasts, fresh pasta and apple tarts in chocolate sauce, the guests listened to some of Hope’s memories.

He recalled his first meeting with his wife of 59 years. A friend took him to a New York City nightclub to watch Dolores perform.

“She was pretty, and she could sing like hell,” he recalled.

Dolores Hope, dressed in a bright yellow pantsuit, performed a couple of old favorites for the crowd. When she sang “It Had to Be You,” which she dedicated to her husband, everyone joined in.

“I’ll love him for another 60,” she said.

For his part, Bob Hope couldn’t let the evening pass without a little golf humor. He had this to say about his golf game that afternoon:

“I wondered why the caddy kept looking at his watch all the way around the course,” he said. “Then he told me, ‘This isn’t a watch--it’s a compass.’ ”

A live auction and awards ceremony followed, with top honors going to the winning foursome--Ron Osbrink, Aram Keith, Bill Cunerty and Mike Ehrlinger.

This is the fourth annual golf tournament staged by the associates, a group founded by Gloria Osbrink.

“Our grandson, who is now 15, went deaf at age 3. That’s why I’m involved,” said Osbrink, who is the group’s president.

Others attending included Nanette Fabray, who arrived late after taking a wrong turn and ending up at South Coast Plaza; Fred Holliday, master of ceremonies; JoAnne Stewart, event chairwoman; Woody Smith, co-chairman; Peggy Clay; John and Luci Curci; Jim and Barbara Glabman; Marge Godber; Charles and Nora Hester; Richard and Betty Kasper; Carol LeBlanc; Joel and Colleen Manchester; Margaret Richardson; Jack and Virginia Swan, and John and Kay Turner.