Love watching Humana Challenge and Kraft Nabisco Championship, but also love to get out on the course yourself? Tournaments here offer more than spectator experiences. The golf scene in the oasis hosts a wide array of annual public events, open to all players. Formats range from competitive tourneys to charitable causes to celebrity outings.
Clubs Fore Kids Golf Tournament
Sept. 15, 2012
Put on by Palm Springs Hospitality & Restaurant Association, this charity event at Escena Golf Club in Palm Springs benefits the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs. Open to all skill levels. Entry fee includes breakfast and lunch, along with tee prizes, and live and silent auctions.
kathleen@resortmktg.com
Richard Kelly’s Adult Junior Memorial Golf Tournament
Sept. 22, 2012
This event, held at Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert, features two-person teams, combining one adult and one junior player in a shotgun-start formation.
www.desertwillow.com
AOPA Foundation Charity Golf Tournament
Oct. 10, 2012
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s inaugural charity golf event is hosted by Classic Club in Palm Desert. The scramble format includes breakfast and lunch, along with prizes. Proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert.
www.greatgolfevents.com/AOPA.html
’Round the World in 18 Holes Golf Classic
Oct. 22, 2012
After raising more than $35,000 last year for the Edward-Dean Museum & Gardens, this event returns to Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon, with hosts Joe Mantegna and NHL legend Luc Robitaille. Registration includes breakfast and lunch. Post-round, enjoy the 19th Hole Reception and Celebrity Jam, along with the awards and auction program.
www.edward-deanmuseum.org/golf
Playboy Golf Scramble
Nov. 9-10, 2012
Hosted by Fantasy Springs Resort Casino and played at the adjoining Eagle Falls Golf Course, this event is known as one of the area’s best parties. A V.I.P. pairing party is followed by a Saturday morning scramble and awards banquet. Registration includes two nights at Fantasy Springs Resort, admission to parties on both nights, and golf.
www.fantasyspringsresort.com
Greater Palm Springs Celebrity Golf Classic
Dec. 6-9, 2012
Four days of social gatherings and charity golf at Desert Dunes Golf Club in Desert Hot Springs benefit Palm Springs Youth Charities. The event features star-studded pairings and celebrity hosts that have included Chevy Chase, Alan Thicke, and Rollie Fingers.
psgolfta@aol.com
Palm Springs City Amateur Championship
Dec. 15-16, 2012
Hosted by Indians Canyons Golf Resort North and South courses, this event is a local favorite. Competitors participate in a practice round and two rounds of tournament play. Must be amateurs 16 and older with a valid handicap of 8 or less for men and 25 or less for women.
www.indiancanyonsgolf.com
Palm Springs Amateur
Jan. 10-13, 2013
Amateurs compete against players of similar skill sets. Held at Desert Willow Golf Resort’s Firecliff Course, PGA West’s Nicklaus Tournament Course and TPC Stadium Course, and La Quinta Resort & Spa’s Mountain Course.
www.palmspringsam.com
Coachella Valley Rescue Mission Golf Tournament
Jan. 21, 2013
Proceeds for this annual event go to Coachella Valley Rescue Mission’s operational costs. Held at Classic Club in Palm Desert.
www.cvrm.org
Israeli Guide Dog Center for the Blind Charity Golf Tournament
Feb. 7, 2013
This tournament and luncheon at Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert benefits the Guide Dog Center’s campus in Beit Oved, Israel.
www.israelguidedog.org
Frank Sinatra Starkey Hearing Foundation Celebrity Invitational
Feb. 21-23, 2013
Celebrating 25 years in 2013, this tournament has contributed more than $7 million to Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center in Rancho Mirage. The three-day event includes parties and celebrity and amateur pairings for two rounds at Eagle Falls Golf Course in Indio.
www.franksinatragolf.org
Patrick Warburton Golf for Kids Celebrity Golf Tournament
March 1-3, 2013
This event benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The tournament begins with a pairings party and jam session, followed by golf at Classic Club in Palm Desert, where foursomes pair amateurs with a celebrity. A gala features a comedy show and live and silent auctions.
www.patrickwarburtongolf.com
Giddings Cup
April 8-11, 2013
Competitive, international senior amateur events feature two-man teams in a 54-hole format at SilverRock Resort, La Quinta Country Club, and Mountain View Country Club.
andyv@landmarkgolf.com
Nochella Two Ball Challenge
April 12-14, 2013
Two-person teams compete in a two-ball format at Indian Wells Golf Resort’s Celebrity Course, Westin Mission Hills’ Pete Dye Course, and Classic Club. An awards banquet follows the final round, and tee prizes and contests are included in the player fee.
Desert Classic Charity Golf Tournament
Dates TBD
Sponsored by Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and benefiting the Coldwell Banker Community Foundation, which spreads proceeds to local charitable causes. Entry fee includes a round of play at Indian Wells Country Club, followed by a dinner party with live entertainment.
patti.rollins@camoves.com
