Pat McCabe speaks to the media.

Story and Photos by Pat Krause

The American Express Co. recently held its media day to provide an update on the upcoming golf tournament. The event will witness the participation of some of the top PGA golfers, including World No. 1-ranked Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Tom Kim, and Tony Finau. This year's tournament marks the 65th edition and was formerly known as the Bob Hope Classic. Fans can expect to witness world-class golf and follow their favorite players. During the media day, speakers Pat McCabe and John Norris discussed the course and its new amenities and answered questions from the media.

The Turn on the course information.

The tournament has donated over $65 million to local charities so far, attracting the best players in the world. They enjoy the courses and weather, making it a great start to the upcoming year. The tournament strives to make fans feel special and works towards that goal. It takes 1200 volunteers to make this tournament one to be proud of. The PGA is now making the awards like those in other sports. It takes a village to organize such an event, involving host courses, community participation, sponsors, investor interest, and top players.

John Norris and Pat McCabe during a Q&A

It has been reported in the media that Jon Rahm still needs to confirm his participation in a tournament. It was recently announced that he would join the LIV tournament, which means he cannot defend his title. The prize money primarily influenced the decision to participate in the LIV tournament, estimated to be around 600 million dollars. This amount is enough to sway many players' decisions. There have been discussions regarding combining the PGA and LIV tournaments, but more work needs to be done. It is said that there is a deadline for this at the end of the year. Everyone is hoping for a positive outcome soon.

The tournament is not just a golf event but an exciting opportunity to experience the incredible concerts by Keith Urban and Train. Keith Urban, an accomplished singer, guitarist, and songwriter, has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Train, a Grammy Award-winning band, has numerous hit songs and albums on the charts and has won two Billboard awards and many other accolades. This golf tournament and concert should be noticed if you want to have a truly unforgettable experience.

The winners of the Media Day event were Chris Gilley, Kurt Burmeister, Tim Putnam, and Mike Way from LaQuinta Golf Course. The occasion was quite festive, with food and beverages served throughout the course. Prizes were awarded for the scramble format, and monetary prizes were given for the longest drive and furthest putt.

Rich Rowland and Jason Page.

One hundred fifty-six professional and 156 amateur golfers will play across three courses: PGA WEST's Stadium Course, The Nicklaus Course, and the LaQuinta Country Club Course from January 15-21, 2024, during The American Express Golf Tournament.