Bob Hope helped bring golf to the average fan with his annual pro-am in the California desert. He brought presidents, celebrities and the top names in professional golf together.
Bob Hope is long gone and so are the big names in golf. Humana is now the title sponsor and former president Bill Clinton has added his Clinton Foundation to help restore interest to the event.
The Humana Challenge is a pro-am and tour players do not especially enjoy playing with amateurs. They are fearful that the bad swings and shanks could mysteriously rub off on them.
Large appearance fees for the European Tour events that are opposite the Humana Challenge also draw the top players away from the tournament. Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy are both making their 2013 season debuts this week in Abu Dhabi. Jason Dufner, Justin Rose, Ernie Els, Martin Kaymer and Padraig Harrington are also playing in the Middle East this weekend rather than California.
World No. 8, Brandt Snedeker, No. 15, Webb Simpson and No. 22 Matt Kuchar headline the Humana Challenge. Even though Snedeker won the $10 million FedEx Cup last year, Simpson the 2012 U.S. Open and Kuchar the 2012 Players Championship, they are not huge draws for PGA Tour events.
The biggest name in the Humana Challenge is Phil Mickelson. He had a very strong year in 2012 with a win at Pebble Beach and runner-up at Riviera the following week. With 40 PGA Tour wins including four majors and over $67 million in earnings, Mickelson is always a fan favorite.
The Clinton Foundation is trying to educate the world and improve overall health and wellness. The PGA Tour gives the foundation a very large platform to broadcast this message and no one is smoother than Bill Clinton when he works his magic.
The Humana Challenge and the Clinton Foundation has even brought in long time fitness proponent Gary Player to promote the overall message and add more excitement to the event.
Even though the big names stay away, the Humana Challenge will offer an enjoyable golf tournament for golf fans everywhere.