Tony Bennett to headline Humana Challenge welcome party and concert

17-time Grammy Award winner and two-time Emmy Award winner Tony Bennett is set to headline an invite-only concert and party Wednesday at the Empire Polo Grounds to mark the start of the Humana Challenge.

A statement from the tournament said the event in Indio is open to participants in the Jan. 14 Couples Challenge Pro-Am and the Jan. 16 Bob Hope Legacy Pro-Am. The tournament announced Thursday playing spots in both pro-ams are still available.

“We are thrilled that Tony Bennett will entertain our guests during the Wednesday Welcome Party and Concert,” Humana Challenge Executive Director and CEO Bob Marra said. “Mr. Bennett is a legendary performer whose great body of work has stood the test of time. We are proud to offer this very special event to thank our pro-am participants and get everyone excited for the first round of the tournament the next day. It’s going to be a party and concert that all Humana Challenge participants will always remember.”

Bennett’s popularity has spanned seven decades. He has sold more than 50 million records worldwide. From his first hit in 1951 (“Because of You”) to his signature song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” to the many live performances and charitable appearances he has made over the last decade.

The Couples Challenge Pro-Am will be played Monday, Jan. 14 on the Nicklaus Private Course at PGA WEST, and the Bob Hope Legacy Pro-Am will be played Wednesday, Jan. 16 on the Palmer Private Course at PGA WEST. Both are among the three courses that will be played by PGA TOUR pros later in the week during the Humana Challenge.

For both pro-ams, fivesomes will consist of one PGA TOUR professional and four amateurs (two amateur couple teams for the Couples Challenge) playing a best ball format. The pro-am packages also include a practice round on Sunday, Jan. 13, two Champions Club memberships for Wednesday-Sunday (Jan. 16-20), 30 daily tickets and many other benefits.

Full details on the Couples Challenge Pro-Am and the Bob Hope Legacy Pro-Am can be found athttp://www.HumanaChallenge.com/Couples-Challenge and http://www.HumanaChallenge.com/Bob-Hope-Legacy.

During the past 53 years, the tournament has generated more than $52 million in donations to charities in the Coachella Valley, primarily the Eisenhower Medical Center. The 2012 Humana Challenge announced record donations of nearly $2.1 million to local organizations.

Pro-Am player spots can be reserved by contacting Wendy Morton in the Humana Challenge tournament office at 760-346-8302 or WMorton@HumanaChallenge.com.