Veterans Honored at Humana Challenge

Retired Gen. Wesley Clark, Bob Hope's daughter Linda and 13-time PGA Tour winner David Toms will participate in the Humana Challenge's Military Appreciation Day Saturday.

At 4 p.m. at PGA West's Palmer Private Course's 18th green, Clark, a four-star general, will make a presentation to the Wounded Warrior Project, a group that works with veterans and service members who were injured or became ill on or after Sept. 11, 2001.

Linda Hope will share memories of her father, who was known for entertaining troops, and Toms and Humana President of Government Business Tim McClain will give a Wounded Warrior a mortgage-free home, according to tournament organizers.

The ceremony will include a flyover by two Navy F-5 Tiger fighter planesoperated by "The Saints" of VFC-13, a squadron based at Naval Air Station Fallon in Nevada.

The third of four rounds of the Humana Challenge will be played Saturday at PGA West and the La Quinta Country Club.

The tournament will offer a special seating area for current and former members of the military and free admission for service members and veterans.

The Military Outpost, which was introduced at the tournament last January, is a pavilion for active duty and reserve service members and military retirees between the first tee and ninth green at the Arnold Palmer Private Course at PGA West. The pavilion will have climate-controlled indoor seating, outdoor patio seating and free food and beverages, according to tournament organizers.

Southern California military installations are encouraged to organize groups to sit in the pavilion, according to the tournament. Free transportation will be provided to and from the course. In addition, all active duty and reserve service members and military retirees with valid identification, and their dependents, can get into the tournament grounds for free.

"The Humana Military Outpost is another way we are carrying on the legacy of our tournament founder, Bob Hope. His passion for this golf tournament and unwavering commitment to entertaining the troops were legendary," tournament Executive Director and CEO Bob Marra said.

Veteran groups who want to sit in the Humana Military Outpost should contact Tournament Services Manager Amanda Croteau at (760) 346-8184, ext. 269, or acrouteau@humanachallenge.com.

Military members and retirees can go to www.humanachallenge.com and enter promo code "Military" for tickets.

-- City News Service