Thursday’s opening round is Novo Nordisk Seniors’ Day; Friday is Women’s Day; Saturday is Patriot Day presented by Humana; Sunday’s final round is Kids’ Day presented by Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. From Jan. 22-25
Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation has compiled a programming schedule of events during the tournament’s four competitive days of golf that aims to keep its fans feeling as involved outside the ropes as they are with the PGA TOUR action on the fairways and greens.
The Humana Challenge has billed Thursday’s opening round of the tournament on Jan. 22 as Novo Nordisk Seniors’ Day. Friday’s second round on Jan. 23 will carry the theme of Women’s Day. Wearing the USA’s red, white and blue colors will be the order of Jan. 24 as Saturday’s third round is branded as Patriot Day – the tournament’s traditional day to honor the United States military – and is presented by Humana. Sunday’s final round on Jan. 25 marks Kids’ Day presented by Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, a new partner of the tournament.
The tournament, now in its 56th year, returns to La Quinta Jan. 19-25, and is a 72-hole PGA TOUR event featuring 156 professionals at the Arnold Palmer Private Course at PGA WEST (host course), the Jack Nicklaus Private Course at PGA WEST and La Quinta Country Club.
“The creation of our agendas surrounding our theme days at the Humana Challenge is well thought out and strategically planned throughout the year, as we have a passion to entertain and engage with our local Coachella Valley and Inland Empire communities and our community of Southern California golf fans,” Humana Challenge Executive Director/CEO Bob Marra said. “The Humana Challenge acknowledges and gives thanks to our wonderful, supportive partners in Novo Nordisk, Humana and Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital for their instrumental roles in enabling us to program a myriad of activities that complements our golf competition.”
Each theme day of the tournament will showcase fun activities, food trucks, live music from John Stanley King, and select shopping discounts in the official Humana Challenge merchandise store within Bob Hope Square at PGA WEST – the social hub of the Humana Challenge – for each theme day’s designated classification of honorees. Daily activities will range from fitness demonstrations to tailored golf clinics.
Novo Nordisk Seniors’ Day (Jan. 22) will include activities in Bob Hope Square such as free health screenings, a “Keeping Your Heart Healthy” presentation, an SCPGA seniors golf clinic, and even a little bingo. Seniors 56 and over with valid ID are eligible to secure a Seniors’ Day Ticket – good for grounds admission on Jan. 22 – in advance of tournament week for $20 (a $15 discount from the regular Seniors Grounds Ticket price of $35, beginning Jan. 19) online only at www.HumanaChallenge.com/tickets, as well as a 10 percent discount on select items at the Humana Challenge merchandise shop.
The Humana Challenge’s Women’s Day (Jan. 23) will cater to female-themed entertainment and activities in Bob Hope Square like a “Fitness Fashion Show” – featuring retailers such as Adidas, COBRA PUMA GOLF, Chase 54, Democracy, Lululemon and Palm Springs Workout Wear – as well as lifestyle presentations and an SCPGA women’s golf clinic. Female fans will also receive a 10 percent discount off select women’s apparel at the Humana Challenge merchandise shop.
The Humana Challenge is passionate about players and fans embracing the spirit of Patriot Day, presented by Humana, on Jan. 24 and donning red, white and blue in honor and support of the U.S. Armed Forces. Patriot Day activities which celebrate the military include a “Golf Fitness” demonstration by Katherine Roberts in Bob Hope Square, an SCPGA golf clinic for military members on the PGA WEST driving range, and the annual military appreciation ceremony following play on the 18th green of the Arnold Palmer Private Course at PGA WEST.
Military personnel will receive a 10-percent discount off select items at the Humana Challenge merchandise shop on Patriot Day and have access to the Humana Military Outpost, which sits between the first and ninth tees of the Arnold Palmer Private Course and will host military members and their families from Jan. 22-25 with patio seating and free food and beverage. The first 2,500 fans attending the tournament on Jan. 24 will receive an American flag pin.
The Humana Challenge offers free admission for all Active Duty, Military Reserve and National Guard service members and Military Retirees, and their dependents (with valid ID), from Wednesday-Sunday of tournament week. Military Veterans can secure discounted daily grounds tickets for $20 (admission Wednesday-Sunday; limit two tickets per person with valid ID). Affiliated military members must secure their tickets online by visiting http://humanachallenge.com/Military.
Continuing with recent tradition, the Humana Challenge proclaims its ‘Championship Sunday’ – Jan. 25 – as Kids’ Day presented by Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. Kids’ Day brings family fun and entertainment with interactive, kid-friendly activities in Bob Hope Square like a fitness obstacle course from Next Level Fitness, exhibits from The Living Desert’s Wild Life on Wheels program and the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, a live musical performance from Shannon Tanner, face painting and balloon twisting. Kids will also receive a 10-percent discount on select merchandise in the Humana Challenge’s merchandise shop.
Children 15 and under are admitted free to the Humana Challenge on Kids’ Day and throughout tournament week when accompanied by a paid adult (limit two children for each paid adult).
Among the Humana Challenge’s new features in Bob Hope Square is the introduction of “Food Truck Frenzy,” a collection of 12 renowned food trucks from all over Southern California which will offer culinary delights and comfort foods like gourmet burgers, tacos, pizza, lobster rolls, BBQ, grilled cheese, acai bowls and smoothies from Wednesday-Sunday of tournament week. Also, fans can write their New Year’s resolutions and goals on the pledge wall.
Additional information regarding tickets, Pro-Am golf tournament positions, hospitality packages and volunteer opportunities for the Humana Challenge can be sought at www.HumanaChallenge.com or by contacting the tournament office at 760-346-8184.
Since 1960, Desert Classic Charities, the non-profit entity that organizes the Humana Challenge, has donated more than $56 million to a wide range of Coachella Valley charitable organizations and Eisenhower Medical Center. This past year, the Humana Challenge donated $800,000 to 39 local charities.
