Golf Tournament Gives Military Free Admission
Active duty service members, including the National Guard, Reserve and their families, left their bases and traveled to PGA West for the first day of the Humana Golf Challenge.
Jorge Vasquez is a Navy sailor who traveled from San Diego. He is just one of the many servicemen that are able to attend the tournament this year for free.
“It’s exciting. I love golf and to be able to come out here to see all the celebrities and the golf pros it’s an exciting adventure trip,” said Vasquez.
Others, including Chris Alexander, are visiting the desert from El Centro and said they are thankful for this opportunity.
“We would never see this golf course any other time, so this is beautiful. I’m glad they opened their doors to us and we’ll come out every time if they invite us,” said Alexander.
His co-worker Mike Guidinger agrees.
“It’s good to see support for us and we like coming out and seeing all this,” said Guidinger.
Organizers at the Humana Challenge wanted a facility that Bob Hope would have been proud of. His commitment to the military was unparalleled with his support of the USO.
Larry Thiels is the tournament chairman.
“Talks to the legacy of the great man Bob Hope because that was such a big part of his life,” said Thiel.
Vasquez and Alexander agree the Hope legacy will live on.
“He’s always done a great deal of things, always supported the troops going overseas, doing tours and stuff like that so, to be a part of that is a good tradition to be a part of,” said Vasquez.
“Bob Hope was the man, you know what, his legacy is still going on so we’re going to live it up today and make Bob Hope proud,” said Alexander.
