Golf endures its December silly season, where geezers like Greg Norman (he’s my age, so I guess that makes me part of the club) get to pitch and putt their way to some obscenely big money and forget about Chris Evert. The sillyness is not quite dead. With the 2010 season still in its baby steps, we now look forward to a few weeks of celebrity golf to endure before the real stuff gets started (even with Pebble in the mix).

This week is the stern test of the Bob Hope Desert Classic. A triple digit winning score after the 5-day marathon is a real possibility. Well, okay, maybe -92. Still, the prospect of watching another 59 round wets the appetite. Easy course or not, dipping that low requires some golf magic. And, we get to watch the golf prowess of fellow duffers like Alice Cooper (I’d pair him with Rocco), Yogi “nobody goes there anymore cause it’s too popular” Berra, and Sir Charles (Tiger, return my call) Barkly.  Should make for some edge-of-the-seat viewing.

Still, it’s golf. The field is decent and the setting is stunning. Here’s some folks I’ll be watching:

Rich Beem: Dude’s got talent. He needs to up the serious quotient a few notches.

Lucas Glover: Maybe he’ll actually smile. Does he have teeth?

Charley Hoffman: Good game and great hair. Why no endorsement from Head and Shoulders is beyond me.

Chris DiMarco: It’s your time again. You are too good to be in the backwater.

Ryan Palmer: Love the muni look. But lose the clean-shaven face. You are a much better player with scruff.

Chez Reavie: Cool based on the name alone.

David Duval: I’m not sure what to make of him. The cocky attitude of a champion hasn’t been backed up with the exception of one US Open week. Was that a blip or evidence of a return to form?

John Rollins: Class act. His time is coming.

Brad Faxon: Way too good a golfer and person to have the last few seasons inflicted on him. Be confident dude.

Mike Weir: Hey, I’m Canuck.

Alice Cooper: Decades sober and still looks like he’s just finished a bender. I love a guy who mandates golf sessions into his contract with concert promoters.

Nick Faldo: One of the great analysts. He’s mellowed well.

Kelly Tilghman: Are you kidding me?

This year’s winner ….. cue the drum roll and naïve nationalism …. Mike Weir at -21.