The PGA Tour Humana Challenge "will see changes in its golf courses in the coming years," as PGA West officials have sent a letter to members stating that the tournament "will not be played on the Palmer Private or Nicklaus Private courses after next January's event," according to Larry Bohannan of the Palm Springs DESERT SUN. Humana Challenge CEO & Tournament Chair Bob Marra said, "PGA West has told us they are not in a position to continue with support of the tournament going forward." The Palmer course has been part of the event since '88, "with the exception of a three-year absence" from '95-97, while the Nicklaus course has been used since '09. PGA West and the La Quinta Resort & Club Managing Dir Paul Cherrett indicated that part of the reason the relationship is ending "was financial." He added that PGA West and La Quinta Resort are "far from financially strapped, but that the cost of a tournament goes beyond the site fee a course pays to the tournament." Cherrett: "It became too burdensome. You think about all the other things that go along with it, getting the courses ready and in shape. It's a commitment." Bohannan notes the event now must "secure two new courses to join remaining course La Quinta Country Club" for '16. However, Marra said that the event is "confident options are plentiful" (Palm Springs DESERT SUN, 7/8).
