SO Much More Than Golf at the Humana Challenge

President Clinton and Gary Player

The Humana Challenge is proving to be so much more than a world-class golf tournament. You probably heard about Brian Gay’s exciting playoff victory. But did you hear about the many other triumphs featured around the event?

The busy weekend started early Saturday when more than 200 volunteers joined The Humana Foundation, KaBOOM!, the Boys & Girls Club of Coachella Valley and the City of Desert Hot Springs to build a multigenerational playground in Desert Hot Springs. This is the second playground our community has received from the tournament sponsor who also provided funding for a new recreation facility in Oasis last year. These new sites are prime examples of enhancing the Valley’s physical environment and access for all, both goals of the Clinton Health Matters Initiative as discussed in this issue’s feature.

Leading up to the event, many enjoyed the free Humana Well-being Walk and Family Fun Fair, and Humana Day at the Certified Farmers’ Market. Healthy activities were also incorporated into this year’s theme days including cooking demonstrations and a workout on Women’s Day, and Tae Bo with Billy Blanks and Pilates for young fans on Kid’s Day.

The inaugural Military Appreciation Day recognized three wounded heroes who played in the tournament’s amateur field. Army General Wesley Clark gave tribute to Army Capt. Matt Anderson, retired Army Sgt. Saul Martinez, and retired Air Force Tech. Sgt. David Romanowsky. These soldiers suffered life threatening injuries during active duty and became passionate about golf as part of their recovery. To top things off, Humana made a surprise presentation to a fourth soldier, former Army Spc. Adam Sampson, who received a mortgage-free home in Beaumont. This special day honored Bob Hope’s legacy and his daughter Linda took part in the presentation.

Humana’s Walk It pedometer program was as successful as ever, and is going on tour as Humana challenges other PGA tour stops to meet or surpass the number of steps taken at the Humana Challenge. The winning community will receive a KaBOOM! playground of their own. Last year, tournament attendees walked almost 100 million steps resulting in $2 million donated to local charities by the Humana Foundation. We look forward to the announcement of this year’s revenue raised for local charities.

The bike stations, biometric stations and even an Xbox Kinect “Your Shape” game offered healthy entertainment off the course. “A common goal for Humana’s programs is to make healthy things fun and fun things healthy,” said Gary Player, Humana’s well-being ambassador.

Desert Health^®’s “Showcase of Local Health & Wellness” also offered a relaxing stop with ThermaJade table and chair massage, medical testing, biometric readings, and even B-12 shots. We would like to thank all of our participants including AlmsBio, AcQpoint Wellness Center, Avid Physical Therapy, Coachella Valley Orthopedic, Desert Medical Imaging, Empire Physicians Medical Group, Executive Wellness, Le Roy Chiropractic, Live Well Clinic, Perry 4 Health, SACKS Wellness, and US Bank.

Congratulations to the winners of our drawing: Jeanne D. of Palm Desert and Christine S. of La Quinta.

The Humana Challenge is not only providing the Coachella Valley with an award-winning PGA Tour event, but also creating healthy, sustainable change for members of our community.

Thank you to Humana, the Clinton Foundation, Desert Charities and everyone who took part. Whether you come for the golf, the celebrities or just the fun of it all, we hope to see you at next year’s Humana Challenge!