Click4TeeTimes

SITE

SEARCH

GOLF COURSE SEARCH:

GOLF CALENDAR

submit your event here
May 2012
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
293012345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
272829303112
3456789

2011 West Coast Swing

Untitled Page

PGA Tour says deal could be reached with former President Bill Clinton

Partnership would include ‘potential for leveraging the Bob Hope Classic as a focal point.’

BY ELI MILLERPublished: January, 2011


Bill Clinton (second from left), who played with Bob Hope (second from right) and former Presidents George H.W. Bush (far left) and Gerald Ford in the first round of the 1995 Bob Hope Classic, could end up working with the PGA Tour event through his Foundation (COURTESY: Bob Hope Classic).


LA QUINTA—The PGA Tour’s Bob Hope Classic has been without a title sponsor since 2009, nor has it had an official host since then.

Believe it or not, former President Bill Clinton could end up being the man to fill each of those vacancies.

The PGA Tour released a statement Saturday during the fourth round of the Hope in La Quinta saying it has “been in discussions over the past several months with the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative regarding a broad partnership that would involve the Clinton Foundation’s longstanding commitment to improving lives with the Tour’s ‘Together, Anything’s Possible’ charitable initiative.”

Specific reference was made to the longtime Coachella Valley Tour stop, whose reserve of charitable donations has kept it afloat in recent years despite not having a title sponsor:

“[This partnership] includes the potential for leveraging the Bob Hope Classic as a focal point for this partnership.”

Tournament officials had no comment on the potential relationship when questioned by Desert Sun reporter Larry Bohanon. The PGA Tour said “any speculation as to the details would be premature. When completed, a detailed overview will be provided.”

On Friday, GolfDigest.com writer John Strege spoke with veteran PGA Tour professional Joe Ogilvie, who suggested Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States, would be an ideal man to follow in the huge footsteps of Hope and the much smaller tracks left by comedian George Lopez and Arnold Palmer.

“A Bill Clinton would add instant cachet,” said Ogilvie, a 36-year-old native of Lancaster, Ohio, who won the 2007 Greater Milwaukee Open. “He also would bring in an A-list clientele and he could walk a sponsor in.”

Clinton, a recreational golfer during his two terms in the White House between 1993-2001, teed it up with fellow Presidents George H.W. Bush and Gerald Ford during the first round of the 1995 Hope Classic. It was the first time a current Commander in Chief had ever played in a PGA Tour event.

Longtime Hope media consultant Dave Cearley fondly remembers how Clinton, the native of Hope, Ark., and former governor of his home state, began his day.

“Bill Clinton’s first drive went 250 yards toward the green, but about 250 yards to the right,” Cearley said. “I’ve never seen anyone hit it that far right.”

According to its website, the mission of the Clinton Foundation is to alleviate poverty, improve global health, strengthen economies, and protect the environment, by fostering partnerships among governments, businesses, nongovernmental organizations, and private citizens — leveraging their expertise, resources, and passions — to turn good intentions into measurable results.”

The Clinton Global Initiative is one of the Foundation’s projects. The elite organization — which offers membership by invitation only — is comprised of “heads of state, business executives, nonprofit and foundation directions, philanthropists, academics and religious leaders” that aim to “address global challenges in the areas of economic empowerment, education, energy and climate change, and global health.”


ALSO SEE:

Which presidents were the biggest drinkers and gamblers, and who was the best golfer?


MORE ON 2011 BOB HOPE CLASSIC:

Woodland, Vegas tied for lead through 54 holes of Bob Hope Classic

Vegas, Weekley share lead after 36 holes of Bob Hope Classic

Lamely shoots 63 to lead first round of Bob Hope Classic

Celebrities leave legacy at Bob Hope Classic