Tournament record purse of $5 million at stake
PALM DESERT, Calif. – Defending champion Justin Leonard heads the list of early entries for the 47th Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, Jan. 16-22, 2006. Classic Club will host the tournament for the first time, including the final round on Sunday, Jan. 22, telecast by ABC Sports. The celebrity field rotation Wednesday through Saturday, Jan. 18-21, will be Bermuda Dunes Country Club, La Quinta Country Club, Arnold Palmer Private Course at PGA WEST, and Classic Club. A tournament-record purse of $5 million, with $900,000 to the winner, will be at stake.
After winning the 2005 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, Leonard went on to finish 12th on the PGA TOUR money list. Others in the top 30 on the 2005 money list among the early entries for the 2006 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic include: (7) Chris DiMarco, (9) Brad Bryant, (19) Ben Crane, (22) Billy Mayfair, (24) Ted Purdy, (25) Mark Calcavecchia, (26) Olin Browne and (27) Brandt Jobe.
Among the early entries, tournament winners on the TOUR in 2005 include: Browne, Bryant, Calcavecchia, Crane, Robert Gamez, Jason Gore, Leonard, Geoff Ogilvy, Tim Petrovic, Carl Pettersson, Purdy, Heath Slocum and Vaughn Taylor.
Former Bob Hope Chrysler Classic champions among the early entries include: John Cook, Keith Fergus, Steve Jones, Donnie Hammond and Leonard.
Classic Club, a newly-designed course by the legendary Arnold Palmer, a five-time Bob Hope Chrysler Classic champion, was inspired by the prestigious tournament. Classic Club boasts an expansive course on 250 acres featuring abundant on-site parking, spectator-friendly risers and tented seating, as well as inviting gallery viewing from fan-friendly plateaus throughout the scenic course. A tram will operate on the perimeter of the course to facilitate spectator movement.
In 46 years, the tournament has donated nearly $42 million to local charities throughout the Coachella Valley. Tickets priced at only $25 per day, with several packages offering additional savings, and further details are available at www.bhcc.com or by calling 1.888.MRBHOPE (672.4673).
Contact:
Toby Zwikel
(818) 344-6195
Pat Bennett
(760) 346-8184
