Humana Challenge Vendors Hope For Big Turnout

A trip to the Humana Challenge PGA Tour event isn’t complete without a stop at Bob Hope Square, vendors said.

Business has been good the first two days, but with former President Bill Clinton scheduled to hit the links on Saturday, a big crowd is expected, and vendors are hoping they’ll all be hungry.

“Smokey Robinson came here looking for some water, and he ended up walking away with our green organic drink,” said Paul Palodichuk, general manager of the Certified Farmer’s Market, describing the Morning Star Ranch Green Drink.

It’s a local product, as are all of the items sold at the Certified Farmer’s Market.

Palodichuk said its the perfect tie into this year’s healthy theme at the Humana Challenge.

“Good health, good options — we’ve actually got the booth to come to,” said Palodichuk, who operates all four Certified Farmer’s Markets in the Coachella Valley.

This is the first year he’s set up a tent at the golf tournament.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House is selling for the first time, as well.

“It’s important for us to have a presence out here for, obviously, the tourists coming in, but certainly the locals as well,” said Marc Milton, a manager at Ruth’s Chris.

In total, 25 vendors make up Bob Hope Square, and many of them are local, including the Beer Hunter Sports Pub and Grill, Sherman’s Deli, Las Casuela Quinta Restaurante-Y-Cantina and the Fisherman’s Market and Grill.

The vendors pay to rent a tent, and the price varies on the size of the booth and the location, organizers said.

“People are equating their experience here with hopefully coming in the restaurant, so they can come out, get a burger or steak sandwich, and that’s just a little teaser to get them in and have the real thing — the nice big steak,” Milton Said.