Inside the courses: 50th Bob Hope Classic

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The PGA West Arnold Palmer Private Course is one of four courses being played in 2009.
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Feb. 3, 2009

The PGA TOUR will play the 50th Bob Hope Classic hosted by Arnold Palmer at four different courses. This will be the first year the TOUR has played the PGA West - Nicklaus Course. Learn more about these venues:

BERMUDA DUNES

Fast facts
Original architect Billy Bell (1958)
Course superintendent Juventino Cardona
Number of PGA TOUR events as host venue 48 (including 2009)
Course ranking Ranked 53 (out of 55) in difficulty on the PGA TOUR in 2007*
Par value 72
Yardage history 6,837 (1960-1989)
  6,927 (1990-1999, 2002-2003)
  6,829 (2000-2001)
  6,962 (2004, 2006)
  6,927 (2005)
  7,017 (2007-present)
Grass Tifdwarf bermudagrass (tees, greens); bermudagrass (fairways); bermudagrass/perennial ryegrass (rough)
Tournament Stimpmeter 10.5 ft
Sand bunkers 68
Water hazards 4
Course tour Click here
* The TOUR did not play Bermuda Dunes in 2008
Course record
Player
Pat Perez
Year
2003
Round
2nd
Finish
T6
Holes-in-one
There have been eight aces recorded at Bermuda Dunes.
Player Hole Year
Bernhard Langer No. 7 2007
Peter Jacobsen No. 4 1999
Lee Janzen No. 12 1998
Joe Ozaki No. 7 1998
Joe Ozaki No. 7 1997
Jim Gallagher Jr. No. 12 1995
John Huston No. 4 1995
Steve Pate No. 7 1994
2007 Rankings
Most Difficult Hole
The par-3 228-yard fourth
The long par 3 plays across a valley with trees framing the rear of the green. A pair of bunkers guard the front of the green, which slopes back to front.
2007: 0 eagles, 3 birdies, 90 pars, 34 bogeys, 0 double bogeys, 0 others
Easiest hole in 2007
The par-5 540-yard eighth
This long dogleg left has out of bounds on both sides plus a pond on the right side of the drive's landing area. The approach to the long narrow green is guarded by a trio of large bunkers.
2007: 2 eagles, 73 birdies, 48 pars, 4 bogeys, 0 double bogeys, 0 others
Bermuda Dunes 2007 rankings Last 24 years
Hole Par Yards Avg. Score Rank Avg. Score Rank
1 5 541 4.543 17 4.607 18
2 4 427 3.929 6 3.941 7
3 4 395 3.843 12 3.871 13
4 3 228 3.244 1 3.080 3
5 4 435 3.992 5 4.007 5
6 4 371 3.89 11 3.879 12
7 3 176 2.929 6 2.948 6
8 5 540 4.425 18 4.597 16
9 4 390 3.803 14 3.891 9
10 4 414 3.929 6 4.039 4
11 4 402 4.047 4 3.882 11
12 3 160 2.906 10 2.890 10
13 5 564 4.606 16 4.745 15
14 4 390 3.772 15 3.870 14
15 4 404 3.913 9 3.939 8
16 4 451 4.102 3 4.096 2
17 3 215 3.126 2 3.116 1
18 5 514 4.835 13 4.572 17
Course origins
Bermuda Dunes Country Club is surrounded by the towering Santa Rosa, San Jacinto and Shadow Mountain ranges. Bermuda Dunes Country Club is one of the most familiar names for desert golf pleasure and has participated in the "Classic" since its inception 48 years ago.
The clubhouse sits atop the tallest sand dune on the course and provides a magnificent view of the 27 holes designed for championship golf by course architect W. F. Bell.
The beauty and difficulty of the signature 18th hole has provided excitement to the tournaments played on the 7,017 yard championship course. The magnificent waterfall was added a few years ago at the 18th green and this year all of the bunkers were redesigned.
Six lakes and pine, eucalyptus, palm and tamarisk trees provide the accents to fairways that are lined with distinctive and custom designed houses.
Bermuda Dunes Country Club, often referred to as the "Family Club" because of the relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, draws a membership from throughout the United States and Canada.
The president of Bermuda Dunes Country Club is Roger Low, the general manager is Bob Siino, the course superintendent is Tino Cardona and the club professional is Mark Range.
Tournament course history
Course Location Years
PGA West (Palmer) La Quinta, Calif. 1987-1994, 1998-present
Classic Club Palm Springs, Calif. 2006-2008
Bermuda Dunes Palm Springs, Calif. 1960-2007, 2009
Indian Wells Indian Wells, Calif. 1960-2004
La Quinta La Quinta, Calif. 1964-1986, 1988, 1991-1992, 1994-1995, 1997-1998, 2000-2001, 2003-2008
Tamarisk CC Mirage, Calif. 1960-1963, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1990, 1993, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2005
Thunderbird CC Palm Springs, Calif. 1960-1962
El Dorado Palm Springs, Calif. 1961-1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1989
SilverRock La Quinta, Calif. 2008-present
PGA West (Nicklaus) Palm Springs, Calif. 2009

PGA WEST (PALMER):

Fast facts
Original architect Arnold Palmer (1986)
Course superintendent Gregory K. Hrycyk
Number of PGA TOUR events as host venue 20 (including 2009)
Course ranking Ranked 52 (out of 54) in difficulty on the PGA TOUR in 2008
Par value 72
Yardage history 6,924 (1988-1994)
  6,931 (1998-1999)
  6,950 (2000-2001)
  6,930 (2002-present)
Grass Bermudagrass overseeded with perennial ryegrass (tees, fairways, rough); Bermudagrass overseeded with Poa trivialis (greens)
Tournament Stimpmeter 10 ft
Sand bunkers 100
Water hazards 5
Course tour Click here
Course record
Player
David Duval
Year
1999
Round
5th
Finish
WON
Holes-in-one
There have been six aces recorded at the PGA West - Palmer Course.
Player Hole Year
Paul Claxton No. 5 2008
Corey Pavin No. 3 2006
Kevin Sutherland No. 17 2001
Stuart Appleby No. 12 1999
Stewart Cink No. 12 1999
David Edwards No. 17 1998
2008 Rankings
Most Difficult Hole
The par-4 447-yard 13th
The final long Par 4 is a true "CHALLENGER." The drive and remaining long to middle iron must be well placed to avoid an abundance of sand and water. Take Par and go to the next hole.
2008: 0 eagles, 11 birdies, 83 pars, 24 bogeys, 8 double bogeys, 1 others
Easiest hole in 2008
The par-5 512-yard 11th
A relatively short Par 5 that is somewhat of a "BREATHER." This is a good opportunity to pick up a shot on Par. Reachable in two for the longer hitter, accuracy is important hitting into the elevated two level green.
2008: 3 eagles, 83 birdies, 40 pars, 1 bogeys, 0 double bogeys, 0 others
Palmer Course 2008 rankings Last 10 years
Hole Par Yards Avg. Score Rank Avg. Score Rank
1 4 426 4.15 4 4.016 7
2 5 514 4.488 15 4.461 17
3 3 180 2.953 9 2.981 9
4 4 396 3.874 10 3.914 11
5 3 233 3.126 5 3.235 1
6 5 562 4.48 16 4.548 15
7 4 439 3.992 6 4.045 6
8 4 358 3.685 14 3.758 13
9 4 461 4.189 2 4.172 2
10 4 433 4.165 3 4.152 3
11 5 512 4.307 18 4.310 18
12 3 207 2.976 7 3.066 5
13 4 447 4.252 1 4.105 4
14 5 569 4.78 13 4.719 14
15 3 156 2.811 12 2.945 10
16 4 364 3.827 11 3.877 12
17 3 130 2.969 8 2.989 8
18 5 543 4.48 16 4.544 16
Course origins
PGA WEST and the Arnold Palmer Private Course, set at the foot of the majestic Santa Rosa Mountains say "Welcome Back" to the 44th Annual Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. The challenging course officially opened October 26, 1986 as the second of five championship courses at PGA WEST, a spectacular master-planned country club community in La Quinta.
In the fall of 1999, PGA WEST opened the sixth course, designed by Greg Norman, an additional practice facility and a new, full service clubhouse. The Club at PGA WEST currently features two handsome golf clubhouses and a state-of-the-art Health & Racquet Club surrounded by tennis courts of all three surfaces. The uniquely designed fairway homes at PGA WEST offer unparalleled views of breathtaking mountains, fairways and lakes, elegant amenities and a level of sophistication and comfort that are the hallmarks of fine California lifestyles.
In 1987 the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic came to PGA WEST on the TPC Stadium Golf Course which has the distinction of being the first new course added to the tournament rotation since 1971. The following year the Classic moved to the Palmer Private Course. The Palmer Private Course also is noted for hosting the PGA Club Professional Championship in 1996 and the 1997 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf.
The Arnold Palmer Private Course measures 6,950 yards from the tournament tees, 5,995 yards from the regular tees and is rated 74.6 and 68.9 respectively. According to Arnold Palmer, he designed the exciting course "for every caliber of golfer to play and enjoy." -- Source: PGATOUR.COM

SILVERROCK RESORT

Fast facts
Original architect Arnold Palmer (2005)
Course superintendent William Lopez
Number of PGA TOUR events as host venue 2 (including 2009)
Course ranking Ranked 47 (out of 54) in difficulty on the PGA TOUR in 2008
Par value 72
Yardage history 7,578 (2008-present)
Grass Bermudagrass; perennial ryegrass (tees); Perennial ryegrass (fairways, rough); Bermudagrass overseeded with perennial ryegrass and Poa trivialis (greens)
Tournament Stimpmeter 10 ft
Sand bunkers 96
Water hazards 6
Course tour Click here
Holes-in-one
There has been one ace recorded at the Silver Rock Resort.
Player Hole Year
Daniel Chopra No. 14 2008
2008 Rankings
Most Difficult Hole
The par-3 237-yard 17th
From the tee, players will be required to play an accurate shot to a green that is guarded by water short and right of the green. Also, a large bunker guards the left and back of the green. Par here is a very good score.
2008: 0 eagles, 14 birdies, 72 pars, 34 bogeys, 6 double bogeys, 2 others
Easiest hole in 2008
The par-4 335-yard fifth
Another relatively short par 4 at 335 yards from the tips, but don't let this hole fool you. Players should favor the right side of the fairway to avoid the large Tamarisk trees that guard the left side of the fairway. A drive to the fairway will leave you with a short iron to a slightly uphill second shot.
2008: 0 eagles, 60 birdies, 62 pars, 3 bogeys, 3 double bogeys, 0 others
Silver Rock 2008 rankings
Hole Par Yards Avg. Score Rank
1 4 426 3.93 9
2 5 592 4.773 14
3 3 183 3.023 6
4 4 385 3.82 11
5 4 335 3.602 18
6 4 493 4.125 3
7 5 603 4.703 16
8 3 191 2.969 8
9 4 489 4.008 7
10 4 350 3.813 12
11 4 418 3.797 13
12 5 625 4.617 17
13 4 449 3.883 10
14 3 165 3.047 5
15 4 480 4.281 2
16 4 468 4.125 3
17 3 207 3.297 1
18 5 544 4.727 15
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