Golf

When the name's the thing

By BOB HARIG
Published January 23, 2007

Perhaps it is a stretch to attach comedian George Lopez's name to the recently concluded golf tournament in Palm Springs, the one that for years has been known as the Hope. But the tournament is trying to remain true to its past, which had Bob Hope's backing since 1965. Hence, his name still adorns the tournament - Bob Hope Chrysler Classic - and Lopez was brought on board to continue the celebrity theme at an event that says it will never ditch the Hope name.

An entire generation of fans probably aren't aware that this practice used to be common on the PGA Tour. Before corporate sponsorship became the rage but after tournaments simply went by the name of the town in which they were played, celebrities attached their names to tournaments, perhaps as a way to give back but to keep their name in lights as well.

And it was used to draw attention to golf, when spectators were more apt to watch the stars than the players. (At last week's Hope, the biggest galleries typically followed the celebrity draw.)

Hope became the unofficial host of the tournament, which started in 1960 as the Palm Springs Golf Classic. This week's tournament in San Diego used to have a celebrity host, as did one of the tournaments in Florida.

Depending on your age, the following will serve as reminder - or revelation.

San Diego

Celebrity affiliation: Andy Williams

Was first called: Andy Williams-San Diego Open Invitational

Williams' name was on the tournament from: 1968 to 1988

Now: Buick Invitational

Pebble Beach, Calif.

Celebrity affiliation: Bing Crosby

Was first called: Bing Crosby Professional-Amateur

Crosby's name was on the tournament from: 1937 to 1985

Now: AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

Los Angeles

Celebrity affiliation: Glen Campbell

Was first called: Glen Campbell Los Angeles Open

Campbell's name was on the tournament from: 1971 to 1983

Now: Nissan Open

Fort Lauderdale

Celebrity affiliation: Jackie Gleason

Was first called: Jackie Gleason's Inverrary Classic

Gleason's name was on the tournament from: 1972 to 1980

Now: Honda Classic

Tucson, Ariz.

Celebrity affiliations: Dean Martin, top right, Joe Garagiola, bottom right

Was first called: Dean Martin Tucson Open

Martin's name was on the tournament from: 1973 to 1975

Was then called: Joe Garagiola Tucson Open

Garagiola's name was on the tournament from: 1976 to 1983

Now: Tucson had an opposite event sponsored by Chrysler. This year, it is hosting the World Golf Championship - Match Play Championship.

Memphis

Celebrity affiliation: Danny Thomas

Was first called: Danny Thomas Memphis Classic

Thomas' name was on the tournament from: 1970 to 1984

Now: Stanford St. Jude Championship

Hartford

Celebrity affiliation: Sammy Davis Jr.

Was first called: Sam Davis Jr. Greater Hartford Open

Davis' name was on the tournament from: 1973 to 1988

Now: Travelers Championship

It would have been easy to think that Hale Irwin was finished after a 2006 season in which he did not win - a first for him since joining the Champions Tour in 1995. But Irwin is nothing if not resilient, and he showed that during the weekend at the MasterCard Championship, where he shot a second-round 62 and went on to a five-stroke victory, the 45th of his Champions Tour career. That total is 16 wins more than the next best, Lee Trevino.

With his victory, Irwin became the sixth oldest winner in Champions Tour history, at 61 years, 7 months and 18 days.

The five oldest:

Mike Fetchick (63 to the day), 1985 Hilton Head Seniors Invitational

Gary Player (62 years, 9 months, 22 days), 1998 Northville Long Island Classic

J.C. Snead (61 years, 8 months, 9 days), 2002 Greater Baltimore Classic

Jimmy Powell (61 years, 8 months, 5 days), 1996 Brickyard Crossing Championship

Bruce Crampton (61 years, 7 months, 20 days), 1997 Cadillac NFL Golf Classic

[Last modified January 22, 2007, 23:24:35]