Sports
Greg Norman, Rickie Fowler Among Golfers to Play Humana
Murrieta native Rickie Fowler is among the golfers who have agreed to join Norman in the iconic charity tournament, held in La Quinta and formerly called the Bob Hope Classic.
World Golf Hall of Famer and 20-time PGA Tour winner Greg Norman will play in the Humana Challenge next month, organizers announced today.
It will mark the third time in his career that Norman has taken part in the tournament, scheduled for Jan. 13-19.
"I played the Humana Challenge back in 2012 and I was really impressed with the new direction for the event," Norman said. "It became very obvious that President (Bill) Clinton's leadership and vision was going to re-energize this tournament back to its once iconic state. I am looking forward to coming back in 2014."
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Humana, a Kentucky-based health insurance provider, co-sponsors the tournament with the Clinton Foundation to raise money for Coachella Valley charities, primarily Eisenhower Medical Center.
The tournament -- which was called the Bob Hope Classic from 1965 to 2011 -- is held at PGA West's Palmer and Nicklaus courses and La Quinta Country Club. The tournament's executive director and CEO, Bob Marra, said organizers are "extremely excited to have Greg Norman back in our field."
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"His resume as one of the greatest golfers of all time speaks for itself, and we're thrilled that we can give our fans here in the Coachella Valley a rare opportunity to see him play in person," Marra said.
Other golfers who have committed to play in the tournament include major championship winners Keegan Bradley, Mark Brooks, Stewart Cink, Retief Goosen, Trevor Immelman, Zach Johnson, Justin Leonard, and Mike Weir; 2010 Humana Challenge champion Bill Haas; two-time 2013 PGA Tour winner Brandt Snedeker; FedExCup points standings leader Jimmy Walker; and Murrieta native Rickie Fowler.
Humana Challenge organizers also announced that people will be invited to play in the amateur part of the tournament, replacing the celebrity field. One invitee is Holly Sonders, a Golf Channel personality who played for Michigan State. Other guests will be announced later, Marra said.
For information and tickets, go to www.humanachallenge.com or call (760) 346-8184.
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