CareerBuilder is New Sponsor of La Quinta PGA Tour Event

Job-listing website company CareerBuilder is the new title sponsor of the annual PGA Tour event formerly known as the Bob Hope Desert Classic, organizers announced Monday.

The tournament, held each January at La Quinta Country Club and PGA West in La Quinta, will be renamed the CareerBuilder Challenge, and continue its affiliation with the Clinton Foundation and Desert Classic Charities.

CareerBuilder replaces Kentucky-based health insurance provider Humana, which abruptly ended its sponsorship of what was briefly known as the Humana Challenge, effective this year -- four years ahead of what had been expected to be an eight-year deal.

The CareerBuilder agreement is for six years, and runs through 2021.

“On behalf of our family and the Bob Hope Legacy, we thank the PGA Tour and look forward to an exciting association with CareerBuilder and renewing our association with the Clinton Foundation,” said Linda Hope, daughter of the legendary comedian.

“Dad’s spirit will continue to live on in the game he loved; in the tournament which bore his name, and in the charities that benefited from the marriage of those two,” she said. “Dad’s dream is in good hands.”

Though Humana’s decision to pull out early was unexpected, tour officials and local organizers insisted the tournament was secure and expressed optimism that a new sponsor would be found soon.

Tournament CEO Bob Marra said earlier this year that Humana made donations to local charities, built three parks and “participated in several other initiatives with desert-based organizations.” Humana and the Clinton Foundation added a health component to the tournament, organizing a walk, health fair and conference.

The Humana and Clinton sponsorships were announced in 2011, and the first Humana Challenge was in 2012.

The tournament has been held since 1960, with Bob Hope lending his name and presence for much of that time. Humana designated an area as “Bob Hope Square” at the tournament, and a trophy named for the late comedian is given to the winner. The tournament also offers perks to retired, reserve and retired military members, who Hope was famous for entertaining.

In 2012, the tournament changed from five rounds to four and increased the professional field. Last year, people were invited to play in the amateur part of the 72-hole tournament, replacing what had been a celebrity field.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome CareerBuilder as the new title sponsor, joining the Clinton Foundation in support of a tournament that has been an important part of the PGA Tour schedule for more than 55 years,” PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said.