Bob Hope Classic: Tough Times For The PGA Tour?

The world's number one player is in sex rehab.

Allegedly.

Still, life on the PGA Tour continues and the first stop on the mainland is the venerable Bob Hope Desert Classic which begins today.

When Arnold Palmer was winning it five times and when Bob Hope could still swing a golf club, it was one of the banner events of the PGA Tour. It was back then, well, what the name says, a classic.

Today is sits as just another event, void of stars, Mike Weir is the most recognizable name. It's competing with an event in Abu Dhabi, a European Tour stop, that is paying big appearance fees to the likes of Anthony Kim and others.

The Hope sits there, alone in the desert, no title sponsor and in need of a huge dose of hope.

There are also 11 other title sponsors on the tour this year that have expiring contracts. No doubt that makes Tim Finchem and the boys a bit nervous.

In its heyday, the Hope attracted Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and basically, everybody. It was a celebrity haven, a place to be seen, the place to be.

Today, its a tournament where all the Q-school guys can show up and get a spot.

It has come to that and it's sad.

It's a reflection of the times, a reflection of the economy.

It's a test of a player's patience with 5 1/2 hour rounds played in the company of unskilled amateurs who are willing to fork over $12,000 each for the funfest.

No Palmer, no Nicklaus, no Bob Hope. No drawing card.

Hopefully, there will at least be another Bob Hope Classic next year.