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George Lopez has an hour’s worth of things to say but only 30 minutes to say them. An interview with the comedian is punctuated with staccato bursts of words, sentences that seem to go on forever and a rapid-fire delivery that would challenge the most proficient stenographer. Though he didn’t grow up in a golfing family, play the game in high school or participate in a junior golf program, few celebrities have embraced the game as heartily as Lopez, who elevates his love affair with golf to another level this month when he hosts the 2007 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. It’s the first time since the legendary Hope died in 2003 that a celebrity’s name has been affixed to the annual tournament in the desert. And it’s the first PGA Tour event in nearly 20 years to have a name attached to it that isn’t Hope, Crosby (Bing, who started what is now known as the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am) or Williams (Andy, who hosted San Diego’s annual event from 1968-1988). The honor isn’t lost on Lopez, a 46-year-old guy who grew up in the San Fernando Valley and, until he was 21, had never walked on a golf course. “I’m not trying to replace Mr. Hope — that would be unthinkable,” Lopez said. “But it is a wonderful, great historic tournament that goes back 50 years and, if it ever went away, it’d be a loss. So I’m honored and thrilled to have my name anywhere near his.” Lopez made his Bob Hope debut as a celebrity player in 2004, and his energy, enthusiasm and playing ability were a pleasant surprise. “I’d heard some pros weren’t too excited about the format and that celebrities had become kind of non-connected with the gallery, but I wasn’t concerned with any of that,” he said. “I ran into people’s back yards and, if they were eating chili, I’d eat some chili, or I’d grab a beer or sign balls or whatever. It was great, and people seemed to really like it. That first year, Peter Jacobsen came up to me and said I should think about being the host. In 2005 it was a little crazier, and then after last year they said if anyone was going to take over the tournament and host it should be me.” Lopez combines the three essential ingredients a host needs: passion, desire and time. “There had been discussions internally after Mr. Hope passed away about finding another celebrity who could host the event and help us recruit celebrities and professionals much like Mr. Hope did in the ’60s and ’70s,” said tournament director Michael Milthorpe. “[George] is passionate about the game, he wants to be involved and, most important, he’s willing to give up his time, and that’s tough today with everybody pulled in 10 different directions.” Lopez will mostly be responsible for publicity before the event and lots of mingling during the festivities. He’s already appeared in TV and radio spots, and he’ll host the black-tie mixers and participate in most of the tournament’s events. His arrival will also pump up the celebrity portion of the equation, something the event needs since many of the game’s top players, particularly international players, tend to skip the Hope due to its format and early spot on the PGA Tour calendar. But with Lopez on board, and his cell phone address book at the ready, cele-brity golfers who have never played the event — such as Andy Garcia and Samuel L. Jackson — or haven’t played in years — like Oscar De La Hoya — have already said they’ll participate. “At a celebrity event like ours it is important to have a host who can be out there speaking for the tournament,” Milthorpe said. “The celebrity as-pect has always been a big part of the tournament and we want to continue that. With George so involved in the community and celebrity world, he can reach out to friends.” Though Lopez and the tournament have signed a two-year hosting agreement, Milthorpe said he’s confident that “people will associate him with this event for years. As long as his schedule and interest allow, I think he’ll host this for a long time.” Lopez’ arrival doesn’t mean the Hope legacy will be downplayed. The legendary entertainer’s name has been affixed to the event since 1965 and the Hope family has given its permission to use his likeness and name for as long as the tournament is a charitable endeavor. Lopez attended his first Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in 1997 because his friend, David Berganio, was one of the professionals in the field. It didn’t take long for Lopez to realize that the tournament affected him in a positive way. “He’d just earned his tour card, and the Sunday he got it I promised him I’d follow him around for a round,” Lopez said of Berganio. “He was playing Bermuda Dunes, and even though the celebrities were on another course, it was still a lot of fun. Afterwards, when I was walking to my car and saw the banners with Hope’s name all around, I thought, wouldn’t it be great to someday play the event. I didn’t have anything going on in my career, but from that day to when I put that tee in the ground as the host, it’ll be 10 years. And for this to happen in that time took a lot of hard work and determination and living right.” And a lot of golf. As anyone familiar with Lopez’ stand-up act knows, he didn’t grow up with a lot of money or a particularly close-knit family. He was an only child and his earliest memories of golf came from knocking lemons around his back yard in San Fernando. “I didn’t even know how to get to a golf course, but there was a lemon tree in my back yard and we had some clubs that we found at a yard sale, or whatever, so I’d knock them around just for fun,” he said. When he was 21, Lopez wanted to try the real thing and went with a friend to El Cariso Golf Course in Sylmar. It was there that he fell in love with the game — not because he hit a great tee shot or drained a 45-foot putt for a birdie, but because he felt relaxed and comfortable in the surroundings. “I went out with a guy named Ernie and, even though I knew him, I don’t think we’d ever talked that much before,” Lopez said. “And every time I play golf with someone, whether it’s Samuel L. Jackson, or Cheech Marin or Oscar De La Hoya, I walk away feeling like I’ve known them my whole life.” As Lopez’ career has taken off with cable TV specials and an ABC sitcom, his appreciation of the game has grown. “From that day in 1981 until now, I don’t think I’ve ever put down a club,” Lopez said, adding that he had a 5-iron in his hand while talking on the phone. “I walk around with my clubs everywhere. It’s not a religion, but it is something of a martial art ... that requires so much discipline.” That discipline has also taught Lopez things that early role models couldn’t. “The game has taught me respect, responsibility and honesty, and I’ve always learned by examples, both good and bad,” he said. “Golf became the uncle and father and parents that I never had. Although the game has never talked to me, it showed me my flaws, how to fix them and even gave me a kind of foresight that I can apply to other situations. If you walk into a place and it’s loaded with trouble, it’s the same thing as standing over a shot and sensing trouble to the left. That’s instinct, and golf is about instinct and how to use it, but so often people forget to trust their instincts.” Even though Lopez proudly declares his love for the game, he recognizes that, like any relationship, there are some dark moments. “If you were in love and in a great relationship, there are still some days that aren’t great,” said Lopez, whose handicap hovers around 11. “Just like golf. You can be a 1-handicap and have a terrible round. But golf drives you to get better, just like if you’re a good man, you want to be a better man, or a better husband or better father. Golf is that way — it makes you want to chase something in order to get better.” Lopez is a member at star-studded Lakeside Golf Club in Burbank, has a home overlooking Pebble Beach, has played Cypress Point with Clint East-wood and was the host for the 2006 World Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. But though he parties and plays with the rich and famous, Lopez still has strong ties with the local courses he played while learning to love the game. Along with El Cariso, Lopez has a soft spot for Hansen Dam in Pacoima, one of the places that helped guide a young man who was both troubled and talented. “I still love that place, man. It was so great. You could go out in T-shirts and jeans and they didn’t care who you were or where you came from,” Lopez said. “It was just about having fun. And every time you go on the golf course, it should be like Christmas. That’s what makes it such a great game for kids. It’s a fun way to challenge yourself and to learn about yourself. All you need is a putter and a 9-iron and you can find out so much about yourself that you can then use in life.” SG George Lopez Born: 1961, Mission Hills, Calif. Career highlights: Four recorded stand-up comedy performances, including 2004’s “Team Leader,” which was nominated for a Grammy Award. Co-creator, producer and star of the network sitcom, “George Lopez,” currently in its fifth season. Served as a guest insider for HBO’s “Inside the NFL.” Released his autobiography, “Why You Crying,” in 2004. Served as emcee for the 2006 World Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. Golf handicap: “Around 11.” Proudest golf accomplishment: Playing with Jesper Parnevick, he finished third in the 2004 AT&T National Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Most humbling moment: Hitting a 5-wood into the deep rough at Poppy Hills during the AT&T National Pro-Am, where TV commentator David Feherty remarked, “Lassie couldn’t find it if the ball were wrapped in bacon.” Family: Lopez married Ann Serrano in 1993. Their daughter Pedra was born in 1995. In April 2005, he received a transplanted kidney from his wife. An episode of “George Lopez” was based on this experience. Other accomplishments: Fund-raising efforts have earned him the Manny Mota Foundation Community Spirit Award, and an Honorary Mayor of Los Angeles title. Also named Artist of the Year and given a humanitarian award by Harvard University. Along with his wife, co-created the George & Ann Lopez-Richie Alarcon CARE Foundation, which raises money for arts education. |
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