Time to Say Thanks for Course Memories

Take a look around at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic this week, because it’s never going to be the same again. Chances are it could be better, of course, when two sparkling courses are supposed to take up permanent places in the Hope rotation in 2006, but there is no doubt that this is the biggest transition year in the 46-year history of the tournament.

Tournament officials will accept a gift Monday from the Berger Foundation, turning over ownership of the Arnold Palmer-designed Classic Course at NorthStar to the Hope event. The course, which doesn’t open until November, joins the Hope rotation in 2006 and will serve as the host course.

Another new course, SilverRock, also designed by Palmer and owned by the city of La Quinta, is scheduled to join the tournament rotation at the same time, although there are some concerns it won’t be ready for 2006.

Indian Wells Country Club, one of the original layouts for the Hope, is being dropped from the rotation for the first time after 45 years, leaving Bermuda Dunes Country Club as the only original course still being played.

The Palmer Course at PGA West in La Quinta is the host course for the eighth year, and La Quinta Country Club, Bermuda Dunes and Tamarisk Country Club make up the four-course setup this week.

But with at least one and possibly two new courses joining the rotation in 2006, the golf course field will be overcrowded, meaning something will have to give.

John Foster, a member of the Hope’s executive board, acknowledged there were some decisions still to be made and said he believed it would all be worked out in the next two weeks.

“We’ve got to decide whether we rotate or whether one drops out,” he said. “We don’t have all our ducks in a row now.”

Tamarisk may be the most likely to go because of its status as an infrequent venue for the tournament and the fact that the Hope’s ties are closer with both Bermuda Dunes and La Quinta. If so, Bermuda Dunes and La Quinta could rotate into the field, leaving the other three venues as the Palmer Course at PGA West, NorthStar and SilverRock.

However, the tournament’s contract with PGA West ends after this week’s tournament.

NorthStar, which occupies 220 acres at Cook Road and Interstate 10, will measure about 7,600 yards and can accommodate a crowd of 10,000 at its amphitheater setting at the 18th green.

“After 45 years, we had to review and we’re making changes that are substantial,” Foster said. “I think they’re going to be well received. We want to step up in the world of golf, and what we’re doing will take us to another level.”

The Hope has long had a reputation for beautiful but easy courses. Last year, Indian Wells, Bermuda Dunes and PGA West had the three lowest scoring averages on the PGA Tour, with La Quinta ranking 42nd on that list.

However the course situation sorts itself out, it might not make much difference to the players in 2006, especially if the Hope officials announce an increase in its prize money from $4.7 million. The tournament’s sponsorship deal with Chrysler ends after the 2006 tournament.

Phil Mickelson said he doesn’t necessarily feel nostalgic about the prospect of losing longtime courses.

“I don’t think it’s the courses that make that tournament special,” the defending champion said. “I think it’s Bob Hope and his family that gives it the nostalgia and the meaning that tournament will move on throughout time.”

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The Facts

Dates: Wednesday-Sunday

Sites: The Palmer Course at PGA West, Bermuda Dunes Country Club, Tamarisk Country Club, La Quinta Country Club

Format: Five day, 90-hole tournament; 72-hole pro-am

TV: Wednesday-Friday, 4-6 p.m., USA; Saturday-Sunday, noon-3 p.m., Ch. 7