Bob Hope a bad PGA tournament on great Palm Springs area courses like Classic Club & SilverRock

Jan 16

Bob Hope a bad PGA tournament on great Palm Springs area courses like Classic Club & SilverRock

The Bob Hope Chyrsler Classic - the first PGA event of the season in the continental U.S. - has turned into a bad tournament pretty quickly. Only a few years ago, you could find both Phil Mickelson and Justin Timberlake out in the California desert.

This year, your biggest names are Mike Weir and Samuel L. Jackson, who forgot how to make a good movie about six years ago.

While, this isn’t a compelling tournament - unless you want to see if American Idol’s worst winner ever (which is really saying something) no-talent Taylor Hicks is even more annoying than his band of Soul Patrol loser fans - it’s now being played on some of the very best new courses in greater Palm Springs.

The Classic Club, which debuted with the tournament in 05, is a big, bold course with monster wide fairways and tons of striking water obstacles that was actually built to host this PGA Tournament. How good is Classic Club? Even USA Today Golf Blogger/club flinger Larry Olmsted - who doesn’t just show how out of touch he is when he tries to rip me every few months (the latest a supposed rebuttal to my truth telling about New York being a horrible golf city in which he concedes “There is no doubt that New York is one of the less golf friendly cities in the country” or what I said) - knew enough to ask me about it when we were in my car together in California a few months ago. Yes, Olmsted and I are actually tight.

Or he was on this short ride when I “forgot” to move my son’s car seat and he spent it wedged against the dashboard with his knees on his chin. Then, refused to ride back with me (typical). Those Guinness Book of World Record holders are all prima donna.

Anyway, point is, if even Olmsted has heard of a course in Palm Springs, you know it’s been getting mad press.

I’m even more interested to see how SilverRock looks on the Golf Channel. While SiverRock isn’t nearly as well known as Classic Club, I loved this Arnold Palmer monster (7,578 yard) when I played it two years ago even though it had some serious conditioning issues at the time. In fact, the PGA Tour rejected SilverRock for two years and required “tweaks” to the tune of an additional $5 million dollars before finally letting it join the Classic rotation this year (it was supposed to come in at the same time as Classic Club in 2005).

SilverRock’s 603-yard seventh hole with its fairway dissected by a lake is a daunting look for regular golfers. Though, as with most of the course, it’s the gigantic deep bunkers and village-sized waste areas that are liable to do you in rather than the water. SilverRock isn’t one of those Palm Springs courses that just lets you see mountains in the near distance either. It has you playing right underneath them and sometimes right against them.

For more on SilverRock, check out my full review.

For more on Idol’s gray-haired moron, look for a large band of overweight desperate housewives (large in girth, not actual numbers). Hicks won’t be far behind. And don’t worry Soul Patrol. I expect a blog any day now from Olmsted on how this Taylor Hicks guy is really underrated.

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32 comments

§ Trevor Stevens said on : 2008-01-16 @ 07:05
Baldwin,

I agree, Bob Hope Classic has turned into a joke and a second class tournament, especially now that it is 'hosted' by the self-absorbed George Lopez who no one recognizes unless you are an unemployed, sitcom-watching couch potatoe.
§ Valerie said on : 2008-01-16 @ 08:26
and what makes *you* so much better than anyone? You must really have some self esteem and self worth issues to be so nasty.
§ susan11 said on : 2008-01-16 @ 09:04
I see your IQ hasn't increased any since last year. You are still bad mouthing people you don't know and have not seen. The thing about TH is that he never has anything bad to say about anyone. Ever. You should attempt that kind of decency sometime. Sad.
§ mandm said on : 2008-01-16 @ 09:04
Hey, at least Taylor has hair, unlike you Chris.You are a nasty piece of work.A little biased are you?Considering you put a squeaky mickey mouse boy like JT up on a pedestal says a lot about your taste.You have none!!!!!You must be jealous that Taylor is playing on these golf courses and not you.
§ NeedARaise said on : 2008-01-16 @ 09:25
You are really a nasty person as a writer and a person. WOW do you feel better now? Maybe you need a raise badly, or at least a raise to lift you out of that hole you seem to be in!
§ Janice said on : 2008-01-16 @ 09:32
It's strange you should talk about the way anyone looks. Your hair isn't receding, it's trying to run away from your face! When you cut up an onion, it cries!
§ Ronnie said on : 2008-01-16 @ 09:47
I hate to be the one to call you out on your ignorance but all fan bases have some overweight, unattractive people. Your fan base, whatever it may be, is no exception because it has you in it. Although you're way uglier on the inside than you are on the outside.
§ sarahinwv said on : 2008-01-16 @ 10:16
Wow, negativity galore !! I always thought golfing was a peaceful and competitive. Such hatred spewing from one of it's editors is truly un-settling. I enjoy golf as a spectator only but I really enjoy celebrities taking part as most do it for charity. You have taken this this down so many notches it's sub-par. I am a "Soul Patrol-er" but my BMI is towards the lower weight and I'm not middle-aged, yet. Are you ?
§ sarahinwv said on : 2008-01-16 @ 10:18
Wow, negativity galore !! I always thought golfing was a peaceful and competitive. Such hatred spewing from one of it's editors is truly un-settling. I enjoy golf as a spectator only but I really enjoy celebrities taking part as most do it for charity. You have taken this this down so many notches it's sub-par. I am a "Soul Patrol-er" but my BMI is towards the lower weight and I'm not middle-aged, yet. Are you ?
§ Ann said on : 2008-01-16 @ 10:18
Where's your fanbase Chris? Looks like you don't have one. People who live in glass houses, shouldn't throw stones.
§ guest said on : 2008-01-16 @ 10:21
I hope you don't call yourself a journalist.
§ John said on : 2008-01-16 @ 10:30
More like a journalASS
§ Alex said on : 2008-01-16 @ 10:43
You folks are just jealous. Chris has gotten twelve hits on his post in six hours, with more to come.

Who else gets more responses?

Chris, pay no attention to these naysayers. Keep up your journalistic excellence.
§ Get A Clue SP said on : 2008-01-16 @ 11:16
Maybe Taylor should pay off those fatties not to follow him around on the golf course. Yes, I've seen photos of them and YES they are an embarrassement to him. Get a clue SP - you really show your ignorance time and time again.
§ Cydter said on : 2008-01-16 @ 13:17
Chris... Chris.... Chris... I see you are using your old "insult" tactics so people will read your boring blog.
Way to go!
§ Get A Clue SP said on : 2008-01-16 @ 13:34
Chris is absolutely right. Those women are an eye sore. Doesn't Taylor have any HOT looking women fans? His fans are either a bunch of grannies or fat cows. If he had his choice of no one following him or fat cows following him, it's a safe guess that he would choose no one.
§ TV Watcher said on : 2008-01-16 @ 14:54
I was looking forward to the Chrysler Classic. Too bad I won't watch it. The Golf Channel's poor judgment in suspending Kelly Tilghman is much greater than her ill advised choice of words. Her error was in using a correct English word that means "To execute without due process of law". One of many words that has no reference to one particular group of people but has been hijacked by those looking to further the racial rift in this country. The Golf Channel, on the other hand, made a conscious decision to contribute to racial division. When Kelley is back, I'll be back. I'm sure glad it wasn't a Christmas tournament. Somebody might have said that they were dressed in gay apparel.
§ FriendsofTH said on : 2008-01-16 @ 18:04
Not all fans of Taylor's are rabid, fat,@
old. There are alot of teenagers and
those in their twenty's. If Taylor was so bad bad why has SonyBMG said come back when
you have your material ready and pitch it
and we'll see. JRecords is 1 label of
theirs, but the label also has a couple of Nashville labels, and whether some agree
with me or not, I think Taylor belongs on
a country label to sing his music.
§ susan11 said on : 2008-01-16 @ 19:24
I think the fact that Taylor has so many young woman after him that pisses the little ugly man off so much.
little vid for ya
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nekInx7DV0o

Don't you love all the hits Chris
doesn't happen often does it?
§ dropped said on : 2008-01-16 @ 19:34
Taylor tanked give it up! Even his lovely or not so lovely SP couldn't do a damn thing for him! He sucks plain and simple, I wouldn't even want him at my wedding. Someone would feel the need to call the paramedics over his spastic fits!
§ Sad Sadie said on : 2008-01-17 @ 00:06
It is sad the way the Hicks' fan base has decided to roll. Then there's that fake girlfriend rumor, what the heck is that about?
§ Trevor Stevens said on : 2008-01-17 @ 07:21
TH has fans?

Probably some inbreeds hiding in the Appalachians.
§ writergal said on : 2008-01-17 @ 07:28
hey chris, you KNEW by mentioning taylor, you'd get more hits. NICE job. Your writing? not so much...this is why blogging should be outlawed.
§ Alex said on : 2008-01-17 @ 09:13
Who in hell is Taylor Hicks?

What does he do, and why is he notorious?

Alex USMC 1969-73
§ Wendy (UK) said on : 2008-01-17 @ 10:35
Alex, I don't know either, but I DO know a)CB is not capable of journalistic excellence/is repeating himself - well, it worked last time so why not? b) my favourite player is there so to hell with CB. No, it's not Mike Weir although I do defend him against CB as well.
§ Kirk said on : 2008-01-17 @ 11:30
Taylor Hicks is that guy that won American Idol. I disagree with Chris, I don't think he's a moron. I actually like his music and wanted him to win Idol. I do agree however that he has a strange fan base. Saw some of them at last years tourn. All older, gray haired, middle aged, overweight grandma types literally going into convulsions anytime Hicks would pass by. No exaggeration from me. I felt bad for the kid. It's like your buddies moms following you around. You could tell he was a little embarrassed.
§ Alex said on : 2008-01-17 @ 13:15
Kirk,

I must really be out of touch with the latest in entertainment.

Please don't laugh, but what in hell is American Idol?

Alex USMC 1969-73
§ Wendy (UK) said on : 2008-01-17 @ 13:32
Do stop tweaking, Alex! You're making me give CB more hits.
§ Alex said on : 2008-01-17 @ 13:45
Wendy'

Who's tweaking?
§ Karen Emory said on : 2008-01-17 @ 16:14
Boy!! You give a guy a pen and paper and he think he is GOD. No need to worry about Taylor Hicks, he will do just fine on his own. He don't need CD looking over his shoulder. Taylor is a grown MAN YUMMY!! And can do what he wants now, his way. The SOUL PATROL are from 8 to 80, in all shapes and sizes, but we all have one thing in common, we support Taylo Hicks and his career and will always be there for him as long as he keeps putting out his music. GO SOUL PATROL!!!!!!!!!!
§ Alex said on : 2008-01-17 @ 18:09
Karen Emory,

MAN YUMMY? SOUL PATROL?

Karen, what in the pluperfect hell are you talking about?
§ Shel said on : 2008-01-19 @ 12:19
Hilarious blog, Chris. You are spot-on in your your description of Soul Patrollers. Also add that they are totally insane. Any negative article about their beloved Tay-Tay drives them nuts. Give it up ladies. Taylor Hicks is a flop! His record label was smart to drop this flop like a rock. Oh, the fake girlfriend scandal? Seems like Hicks frolicked with a floozie in Hawaii and got caught. Not wanting to upset the SP, Hicks convinced a Wisconsin journalist to vouch that it was she who was with Hicks. But photo comparisons show they are different women. So, Hicks sleeps with hot floozies and then lies about it. What a way to drive his fanbase even more nuts than they already are!

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