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People and Pop Culture

Weekend Plans With CareerBuilder Challenge Exec Dir Nick Raffaele

PGA Tour CareerBuilder Challenge Exec Dir and Desert Classic Charities CEO NICK RAFFAELE is in his first year with the La Quinta, Calif., tour stop, and the early season Tour event will not lack for excitement with him at the helm. After an admittedly hectic advance week, Raffaele is hoping the weekend runs smoothly as big names such as PHIL MICKELSON, PATRICK REED and JASON DUFNER round out the tournament's field. But quality golf is not the only entertainment in regards to the CareerBuilder, as the event prides itself on providing week-long value for its spectators and guests. Concerts, dinners and more have filled out the week's schedule, and the entertainment serves as part of Raffaele's vision for the tournament both this year and beyond. Raffaele said, "What we’re doing is creating a fan experience and developing a community event, while trying to raise charitable donations for the Desert Classic Charities. To do that, you need to create a fan experience. That said, meanwhile there’s a heck of a golf tournament going on."

THIS ONE GOES TO ELEVEN: On Monday we hosted the '17 Coachaella Valley Golf Industry Summit, and also the First Tee Juniors. Tuesday we had a spa day for the PGA Tour wives and Wednesday we held the BOB HOPE Legacy Pro-Am. You go through the whole week, and there’s just so much more than the golf tournament itself. You want everybody in the family to be happy. (It’s by design to deal with the wives.) Thursday night we had our Jam Session tributes, featuring musicians from KANSAS, R.E.M., JOURNEY and THE ROMANTICS. Then Saturday night we have a concert with FITZ & THE TANTRUMS on the course itself following play.

OUTSIDE OF WORK
: A typical weekend for me is a round of golf and usually in the fall some bird hunting. I’m from Ft. Worth and my two sons still live there. In my free time, I like reading and studying about people that overcame incidents or adversity. When you know and hear about other people going through challenging things, it helps to get perspective for your own life. I really enjoy success stories and learning what others went through. That’s where I gain my motivation. Foodwise, let me tell you it’s very hard to replace my favorite Texas restaurants, but I do enjoy many California restaurants out here that help me replace my Mexican food desires. Texas BBQ and Mexican food are easily two vices for me. 

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