The Club at PGA West and La Quinta Country Club hosts the Humana Challenge by the Arnold Palmer Private

Held Jan. 13-19, the 2014 Humana Challenge will be hosted by the Arnold Palmer Private at The Club at PGA West and La Quinta Country Club. Sponsored by Humana and the Clinton Foundation, this yearly event has become a valley tradition from its beginning to its many years as the Bob Hope Desert Classic.

Now into its third year, the tournament has an expanded focus beyond world-class golf, serving as a strategic platform to establish and communicate new initiatives in health and wellbeing for residents of Coachella Valley and beyond. Everyone involved—from internationally acclaimed golf pros, amateurs and celebrities, to spectators and millions of viewers around the world—are challenged to take active roles in their own personal health and wellbeing.

As the 55th edition of one of the PGA Tour’s most tradition-steeped tournaments nears, Southern California golf fans have an opportunity to be part of the storied and glorious history of this iconic Coachella Valley event in a variety of ways. The Humana Challenge’s mission statement and identity has always been one of supporting its community and amateur participation. Former President Bill Clinton and an impressive list of celebrities and pros will again be on hand for some great golf and to promote vibrant living.

The format of the tournament begins with Pro-Am play for the first 54 holes. Each of the 156 pros will play with a different amateur partner each day on different courses for three days. New to this year, the three amateurs with the lowest net scores and three amateurs with the lowest gross scores after the first three rounds will play with one of the low 70 professionals in the final round. Phil Mickelson, the 2002 and 2004 champion, will not be in this year’s field, but San Diego’s Pat Perez, the 2009 winner, and Charlie Hoffman, the 2007 winner, will be participating. Come on out and enjoy some great golf on some of the desert’s best golf courses, in what is expected to be ideal weather. The walk will do us all a lot of good.

For more information, call 888-672-4673 or visit humanachallenge.com.  

Story covered by Wayne McCollum with FINE magazine San Diego and FINE magazine Dessert addition.