Continuing a 26-year partnership, La Quinta Resort & Club and PGA WEST have unveiled a special tournament package to be offered throughout the week of the 2012 Humana Challenge – which will be played at two PGA WEST courses and held in partnership with the William J. Clinton Foundation with a new name, format and trophy, as well as an innovative fresh focus on health and well-being. The event, formerly known as the Bob Hope Classic, will be held Jan.19-22, 2012, for the 26th consecutive year at PGA WEST. The new format reduces the number of courses from four to three and includes: the Palmer Private and Nicklaus Private – both at PGA WEST and the La Quinta Country Club.
Adding to the overall experience, the culinary team at La Quinta Resort & Club will provide catering services for the four-day tournament, setting an even higher standard for food and beverage throughout the event. Offered Jan. 18-24, 2012, the special La Quinta Resort & Club tournament package will include deluxe accommodations; daily tickets for the Human Challenge; one round of golf per day; daily breakfast in TWENTY6; and a Humana Challenge welcome amenity. Package rates start at $485 per night for a two-night minimum stay. Resort rates for the week of the Human Challenge start at $259 per night. With a keen focus on healthy lifestyle practices, the Humana Challenge will award a newly created Bob Hope Trophy to the winner to commemorate Hope’s legacy.
Since Hope started as tournament host in 1965, the event has generated more than $50 million – supporting many Coachella Valley charities. Next year’s event is designed to bring the idea of “participatory wellness” to life, and will feature a first-ever national conference focused on health and well-being on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, with a keynote address from former President William J. Clinton. The tournament will “challenge” participating TOUR pros, amateur golfers, celebrities, volunteers, sponsor guests, spectators and the millions of television viewers around the country to interact with Humana, the Clinton Foundation, the PGA TOUR, and Desert Classic Charities during a week-long celebration of world-class golf, healthy lifestyle options and fitness-oriented activities.
According to Gary Sims, managing director of La Quinta Resort & Club, the changed name, theme and format mark an important new chapter for the resort, as well as for the tournament, which has an enduring legacy of outstanding golf and support for area charities. “We are pleased to contribute our culinary expertise, as well as offer these special rates and packages, and very proud to strengthen our partnership with this forward-thinking event,” said Sims. Added Larry Thiel, chairman of the Humana Challenge, “La Quinta Resort & Club has an extraordinary history – and future – in the Coachella Valley, as does this tournament. We are thrilled to continue such a positive and productive partnership.” The four-day tournament begins Thursday, Jan. 19, with the first three rounds played in a pro-am format.
The pro-am teams will consist of one professional and one amateur playing in groups of four. For each day of the three-round pro-am competition, the professional will have a different amateur partner. Amateurs will compete in daily competitions as well as an overall three-day competition. Round 4 will be professionals only with a normal 70+ ties cut. (For more information about tournament rates and packages, please call toll-free, 1-800-598-3828 for reservations. Refer to promo code HC12, or request the “Humana Challenge” package.)