The PGA TOUR tournament in La Quinta, CA has a new name, a new format, a new trophy, and most important, an innovative new focus on health and well-being. The Humana Challenge has been announced as the new name of the event formerly known as the Bob Hope Classic, and will feature several changes to the format beginning in 2012.
Besides the name change and new strategic direction, the tournament also will feature several changes to the professional and amateur format. The changes include: A four-day tournament, beginning Thursday of tournament week, 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. The field size for the event will be 144 professionals, an increase of 16 professional spots from the previous format, and 144 amateurs.
The number of courses being used in the rotation is being reduced from four to three: La Quinta Country Club, a tournament course since 1965, PGA WEST Nicklaus Private and PGA WEST Palmer Private. PGA WEST has been in the rotation since 1986.
PGA TOUR tournaments are broadcast to nearly 600 million households in 225 countries and territories in 30 languages. Virtually all tournaments are organized as non-profit organizations in order to maximize charitable giving. In 2010, tournaments on three Tours generated more than $120 million for local charitable organizations, bringing the TOUR’s all-time total of charitable contributions to more than $1.6 billion. The PGA TOUR’s web site is PGATOUR.COM