With beautiful, year-round weather and miles of picturesque coastline, Southern California is a place that makes you want to be outdoors. Thus, it shouldn’t be surprising Southern California has emerged as one of the most desirable regions to golf and plays host to dozens of professional tournaments every year.
Here’s a look at some of the tournaments that take place during the West Coast Swing, a string of golf tournaments played starting this month.
Humana Challenge (formerly the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic)
Many people would say Bob Hope was the greatest golfer Hollywood has ever seen. When he agreed to attach his name to the Palm Springs Golf Classic in 1965, the tournament took off. In the decades that followed, it became one of the most well-known tourneys in the Palm Springs area. Since his death, it has doubled as a memorial. This year’s Humana Challenge took place between January 19 and 25, 2015 at the Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus courses in Palm Springs, where Patrick Reed sought to defend his status as returning champion.
Farmers Insurance Open (formerly the San Diego Open)
Hosted by beloved entertainer Andy Williams for 20 years, the Farmers Insurance Open is one of the most well-known golf tournaments of the West Coast Swing. It’s a PGA qualifying event that raises millions of dollars for charity. This year’s proceeds, anticipated to exceed last year’s .8 million, will benefit cancer research and patient support, San Diego area schools, the local military community, and under-served youth. The event will take place from February 5 to 8, 2015 at coastal Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, San Diego.
Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational
Frank Sinatra was an avid golfer in his heyday. The Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational is a golf tournament of showstoppers of varying degrees of celebrity who show off their golf skills for a good cause. The proceeds benefit patients of the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center for Abused Children at Eisenhower, which provides counseling to children who are neglected, assaulted, or abused. This year’s celebrity golf tournament will take place from February 19 to 21, 2015 at the Fantasy Springs Resort & Casino in Indio, Calif., west of Palm Springs. Steve Azar, Vince Ferragamo, Beverly Johnson, Joe Mantegna, and Christopher McDonald are all scheduled to compete, host, or otherwise participate in the event.
Police Celebrity Annual Golf Tournament
Held at beautiful Brookside Golf Club in sunny Pasadena, Calif., this golf tournament was set up to support the Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation, which honors members of the force who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Money raised at the event, which always features a high-profile celebrity host, goes to support widows and orphans of these brave police officers. Past hosts have included Dean Martin, Jack Lemmon, Jack Nicholson, Charlie Sheen, Sugar Ray, Mark Wahlberg, Vin Scully, and Dennis Quaid. This year’s host and precise dates have yet to be announced, but the tournament should be held just a short drive south of AMLI Lex on Orange sometime during May.
SCPGA Foundation Shootout
The Southern California Professional Golf Association is holding the third annual SCPGA Foundation Shootout at the Riviera Country Club in Ontario. If you’re a PGA professional or apprentice who lives in Rancho Cucamonga and is looking for a one-day event that supports junior golfers and various charitable foundations in the area, check out this shootout.
Spectating major golf tournaments is a lot of fun, even for those of us who aren’t crazy about the game. They provide an excellent opportunity for enjoying the weather, socializing with a drink in your hands, and catching glimpses of celebrities.
Have you attended a golf tournament in Southern California? Let us know what your favorite tournament was and why in the comments!
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