Humana Challenge will allow amateurs to play
Top amateur players in the Humana Challenge will beable to play in the golf tournament’s final round for the first time next year,it was announced today.
Under the new format, three amateurs with the lowest net score and threeamateurs with the lowest gross score after the first three rounds willadvance to Sunday’s final round, where they will each play with twoprofessionals, starting off the 10th tee.
They will not benefit from the pro’s score, but will engage inindividual stroke play from the amateur tees, according to tournamentofficials.
“The opportunity to `make the cut’ for those players who have performedthe best in the amateur competition will significantly enhance theexperience,” said Humana Challenge Executive Director and CEO Bob Marra.
Until 2012, amateurs played the first four rounds of the then-five-roundtournament. Last year and this year, amateurs played the first three roundsof what is now a four-round tournament.
“The new format will not only reward the top six amateur players over54 holes, but also bring an atmosphere of pressure mixed with excitement thatis only felt on a final-round Sunday,” a tournament statement says.
Additionally, the 2014 Humana Challenge will introduce the Club TeamChallenge Pro-Am, which features three amateur members of the same club, a PGATour professional and a PGA Club pro. It is scheduled for Jan. 13 on the JackNicklaus Private Course at PGA West in La Quinta.
The Humana Challenge, scheduled for Jan. 13-19, will celebrate its 55thanniversary next year.
Humana, a health insurance provider based in Kentucky, sponsors thetournament — which was called the Bob Hope Classic from 1965 to 2011 — withthe Clinton Foundation.
The tournament raises money for Coachella Valley charities, primarilythe Eisenhower Medical Center, and is held at PGA West’s Palmer and Nicklausprivate courses and La Quinta Country Club. The field includes PGA Tourprofessionals and amateurs.
Tickets, Pro-Am positions and hospitality packages are on sale atwww.humanachallenge.com or by calling (760) 346-8184.
