Humana and the William J Clinton Foundation Partner with PGA TOUR for Bob Hope Classic

Eight-year partnership with the TOUR and the Classic beginning in 2012.

Former Presidents George Bush, Gerald Ford, and Bill Clinton joined defending Classic champion Scott Hoch and tournament host Bob Hope and President Ford's son Steve on the course at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in 1995.

The PGA TOUR and the Bob Hope Classic have announced that Humana and the William J. Clinton Foundation have formed an eight-year partnership with the TOUR and the Classic beginning in 2012, with Humana becoming title sponsor.  Next year’s tournament week will be January 16-22.

The agreement will build on a shared commitment by both the Clinton Foundation and Humana to promote healthy living and work across sectors to improve the lives of people around the world.  A conference of health-industry leaders will be held early in the tournament week. Further details on the partnership, the tournament and the format will be announced later this spring.  We are hoping that the tournament will continue to be played at La Quinta Country Club-- one of the original courses and a valley traditional favorite!

Since its introduction in 1960 as the Palm Springs Golf Classic, the tournament has generated more than $50 million for charity and literally funded the construction of the Eisenhower Medical Center, thanks in large part to Bob Hope becoming involved as tournament host in 1965. The Bob Hope Classic traditionally is played the third week of the PGA TOUR season and is the first tournament on the U.S. mainland.

“We have always felt that the Bob Hope Classic is more than just a golf tournament and we could not be more pleased that Humana, the Clinton Foundation and the PGA TOUR are enhancing the mission of this event in the spirit of Bob Hope’s legacy of giving back,” said John Foster, Chairman of the Bob Hope Classic. “Mr. Hope epitomized a healthy lifestyle, was friend to Presidents and Kings, believed in the good works of this tournament, and would certainly be thrilled with today’s announcement.”