James H. Crooker, 80; Most Frequent Player in Bob Hope Golf Classics

James H. Crooker, 80, a Long Beach businessman and amateur golfer who played in more Bob Hope Chrysler Classics than anyone else, died Monday of cancer in Thousand Oaks.

An early member of the Indian Wells Country Club, which was one of the original host courses, Crooker began playing in the Hope Pro-Am as an amateur in its inaugural year of 1960.

He played in every Hope classic through 2005. Failing health forced him to miss the tournament in January.

He played in more Hope classics than any other golfer -- amateur or professional.

Born in Scotland, Crooker moved to the United States with his family as a child.

He graduated from Stanford University before settling in Southern California, where he owned Beach City Chevrolet.

In 1998, Crooker was inducted into a Hall of Honor reserved for those important to the Hope tournament’s history.

The list included Hope, Arnold Palmer and President Ford.

“I’m in rather heady company for a hacker,” he told a Times reporter.

“Well, with Ford there, I guess there are two hackers.”