By Palm Springs Guides Golf Guide Phillip Moore

This week, the PGA comes to the Coachella Valley for the 2010 Bob Hope Classic. It’s your chance to see some of the top golfers in the world compete for a share of the $5-million purse — $900,000 goes to the winner!

This year, the tournament is played at the Palmer Private Course at PGA WEST, La Quinta Country Club, Nicklaus Private Course at PGA WEST and SilverRock Resort.

Just a few of the many participants from the fields of sports and entertainment are: Michael Bolton, Alice Cooper, Kurt Russell, Chris O’Donnell, William Devane, Bo Jackson, Sterling Sharpe, Greg Maddux, Anthony Anderson, Dennis Quaid, Kyle MacLachlan, Josh Kelley, Clay Walker, Jason Taylor and Dr. Phil.

The tournament kicks off at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, with players competing on each of the courses. The celebrity field plays at SilverRock Resort on Wednesday, La Quinta Country Club on Thursday, the Jack Nicklaus Private at PGA WEST on Friday, and the Arnold Palmer Private at PGA WEST on Saturday.

The first four days of the tournament is a Pro-am format. There are 128 teams consisting of three amateur partners. Each team plays each of the four courses with a different PGA professional. The PGA professionals maintain their individual scores, while also contributing to the team score. The amateur play ends on Saturday.

On Sunday, the low-70 professionals and ties will play the final round of the tournament at the Palmer Private at PGA WEST.

The field of 128 professionals includes seven players from the top 30 on the 2009 PGA TOUR money list — Tim Clark, Kenny Perry, David Toms, Justin Leonard, Brian Gay, Jerry Kelly and Matt Kuchar.

A few of the PGA professionals I’ll be following this year are:

RICKIE FOWLER — This young Murrieta, Calif., resident is an exciting, fearless player. Last year he was recognized as one of the top amateur golfers in the world. This is his rookie year on the PGA Tour and I believe he’s destined to become a star.

BOO WEEKLY — The galleries love Boo because of his sense of humor and carefree, easy-going manner. I watch him because he’s one the premier shot-makers on tour.

MICHAEL SIM — Last year, Michael was the leading money winner on the Nationwide Tour. I think within a few years he’ll become one of the world’s top 10 top players.

DAVID DUVAL — This former #1 player in the world shot a 59 in the final round to win here in 1999. He’s on the comeback trail and I’ll be rooting for him.

BUBBA WATSON — He’s not only the longest hitter on the PGA Tour, but he’s also a great player. It’s worth coming out just to watch Bubba hit a few drives!

RYAN PALMER — He won the Sony Open last week in Hawaii.

The tournament starts on Wednesday, but you can also come out during the practice rounds on Monday and Tuesday. On those days, both the professionals and celebrities will be bouncing around the four golf courses trying to get a feel for the layouts. I enjoy the practice rounds because of the smaller crowds.

The general parking for all courses is at SilverRock Resort. The entrance to the general parking is on Jefferson Avenue, just south of Avenue 52.

You can buy daily tickets at the gate for $25. A five-day pass is $75. Shuttle buses will take you from the SilverRock Resort to each of the other three courses. The buses run continuously throughout the day and there is never a long wait.

So come on out and join the fun, I guarantee you’ll have a great time.

For more about the Bob Hope Classic, click here.