Active-duty military personnel to receive free admission to Bob Hope Classic, access to new Eisenhower Medical Center Military Hospitality Lounge at PGA WEST
LA QUINTA, Calif. – Country music star Trace Adkins, who has devoted countless hours entertaining members of the United States military throughout the world, will perform for the amateur and professional contestants of the 2011 Bob Hope Classic, scheduled for Jan. 17-23.
In addition, the Bob Hope Classic will continue its popular policy of providing free admission to all active military personnel and their families. As a bonus for next month’s Classic, military personnel and their families will have access to the new Eisenhower Medical Center Military Hospitality Lounge, which will provide them with an up-close view of the action at the Palmer Private Course at PGA WEST, the tournament’s host course and where the professionals play their fifth and final round.
To receive a free ticket for the Bob Hope Classic, military personnel do not need to be in uniform, but must present identification verifying them as active-duty personnel when they arrive at the SilverRock Resort public parking admissions gate, where they will be issued a daily gallery pass.
“Our military was such an important part of Bob Hope’s life and legacy that it’s natural for us to extend them this courtesy,” said Bob Hope Classic President John Foster. “We are thrilled to welcome EMC aboard to help us provide hospitality for our military guests.”
Helping provide welcoming musical hospitality to the professionals and amateurs is Adkins, who will perform at The Classic Celebration for the professional and amateur contestants on Monday, Jan. 17.
Following in the footsteps of the Classic’s legendary namesake, Adkins has repeatedly and tirelessly traveled into combat zones with the USO to perform concerts, sign autographs and mingle with the troops.
Adkins’ devotion to those troops was recognized by the USO when it presented him with its 2007 Merit Award, and by the Wounded Warrior Project. The organization that benefits severely wounded veterans, for which Adkins serves as a spokesman, recently gave him its Community Service Award.
“Whatever I do to show support to our troops is so small by comparison to what these men and women do for us,” Adkins said upon learning about the USO award. “In fact, I’m not sure any of us can ever truly express how grateful we are for the men and women of the military who serve this country and put their lives on the line every day for our freedom.”
Adkins’ commitment to the USO goes back nearly a decade. He performed at the 2002 USO Gala in Washington, D.C., and was the headliner for the USO’s inaugural charity golf tournament. Adkins hasn’t forgotten to honor the military in his music. In 2005, he paid tribute to the country’s military heroes with the ballad “Arlington.”
This unwavering devotion and commitment to the military makes Adkins a natural presence at the Bob Hope Classic. After all, during his long career as one of America’s greatest humorists, Hope entertained U.S. troops so often that he was made an “Honorary Veteran,” by a 1997 Act of Congress, signed by President Bill Clinton. Hope died in 2003 at age 100.
Bill Haas, who won his first PGA TOUR title at the 2010 Bob Hope Classic and was one of seven golfers to win multiple PGA TOUR events in 2010, plans to defend his Classic title next month.
For the second consecutive year, the $5 million Bob Hope Classic will be played wholly within La Quinta, at La Quinta Country Club, SilverRock Resort, and the Palmer and Nicklaus Private courses at PGA WEST. Practice rounds for the 2011 Classic at all four courses will be conducted Monday, Jan. 17 and Tuesday, Jan. 18. Tournament play begins Wednesday, Jan. 19 and concludes Sunday, Jan. 23 at the Palmer Private Course at PGA WEST.
The Bob Hope Classic’s website, www.bobhopeclassic.com, is one online platform by which fans can more easily gain information about, and purchase tickets for the 2011 Classic. Fans can also log onto Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/BobHopeClassic) and Twitter (@bobhopeclassic) to keep up on pre-tournament and tournament week news, see exclusive celebrity photos, and enter various contests for the chance to win Bob Hope Classic tickets and other tournament prizes.
In 51 years, the Classic has donated nearly $49 million to charities throughout the Coachella Valley. For tickets and more information, go to www.bobhopeclassic.com or call 1.888.MRBHOPE (672.4673).
Contact:
Toby Zwikel
(818) 462-5599
Pat Bennett
(760) 346-8184
