Desert Willow Attracting New Players

Weekend Specials at Desert Willow

Palm Desert, CA-The Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert is using some new strategies to attract golfers.  Giving players Tee Prizes to go along with their green fees is a nice touch to bring extra value to customers and give them a little memento of playing the course.  Discounted rates over the holiday weekend and restaurant vouchers included in the price of a round, are a great way to fill the golf course and bring players in throughout the day. It is nice to see that there is still some business going on out there instead of just the same old status quo.

So let’s do the math on this one.  $55.00 Green Fee-includes tee prize, $15.00 lunch, a beer or margarita, a golf cart, range balls and you get to play at one of the finest public golf facilities in the Coachella Valley.  Sounds like a no-brainer if you enjoy playing golf  or would like to give Desert Willow a try.

Gridiron Challenge

Desert Willow has also introduced another interesting opportunity to try out their beautiful Firecliff and Mountain View golf courses.  It’s called the Gridiron Challenge and incorporates golf with a little football.  It is an “18 and Dine” of sorts.  The $25.00 Green Fee-includes tee prize, golf cart, range balls, closest to the pin and long drive competitions for 18-holes. All players are then invited back to the clubhouse to watch the games and for more fun and raffle prizes.  Sounds like a great way to get the girlfriend or wife to go watch football after you take her to play in a little fun afternoon of golf.

These are just a couple of ways that Desert Willow is bringing a bit of excitement back into the game of golf.  I wish them all the success in their effort to bring some life back into the sport.

Big Break Indian Wells

Starting May 16th, stunning mountain vistas play backdrop to the Big Break Indian Wells season 15. The all-male cast will tee off the 10-episode series on the Indian Wells Golf Resort’s two championship golf courses – Celebrity Course and Players Course.

These beautifully landscaped courses are ranked as California’s only 36-hole public golf facility on Golfweeks’ Top 20 “Best Courses You Can Play”. The famed Celebrity Course is also a two-time host to the PGA TOUR’s Skins Game.

During Big Break Indian Wells, one contestant will be eliminated each week, with the last player standing awarded the coveted sponsor’s exemption to a 2012 PGA TOUR event—a once and a lifetime opportunity to compete against some of the top players in the world.

Catch the action on the Golf Channel every Tuesday at 9 PM EST/6 PM PT to watch highly skilled golfers compete in a variety of challenges on world-class Indian Wells golf courses fit for legends.

 

Don’t Mess With Texas

Lewis makes birdie on #9

Rancho Mirage, CA- Texas native Stacy Lewis took her wind knowledge to Mission Hills Country Club on Sunday and cashed in on her first LPGA victory and the years first Major.  Lewis entered the day two shots behind defending champion and world’s #1 Yani Tseng.  On a day when most players were feeling the wrath of the dreaded Santa Ana’s, Lewis turned in a blazing final round 69.

Lewis approached the par-5 ninth one shot back.  She smoked a drive and almost hit the green in two.  She chipped the ball within 6 feet of the cup and drained the birdie putt.  Tseng hit her  third shot just long of the green and failed to get it up and down for par.  The two shot swing on #9 put Lewis in front and she kept the hammer down from there on making key putts when she needed them.  ” The wind was tough, but I hit the ball probably the best I had all week. After I made the putt on 17, I was just trying to control my emotions because I knew I had a good chance to win” said Lewis.

Congratulations to Stacy Lewis, 2011 Kraft Nabisco Champion.

Stacy Lewis leads after day-two at the KNC.

Paula Creamer and Michelle Wie.

Rancho Mirage, CA-Stacy Lewis kept her game hot Friday and moved to a three shot lead in second round action of The Kraft Nabisco Championship.  Temperatures on the course exceeded triple digits at times as the field struggled to maintain their positions on the leaderboard.  The women’s #1 player in the world and defending champion, Yani Tseng shot a second round 68 to move her into a three-way tie for second with Brittany Lincicome and Jane Park at -6.

The heat took it’s toll not only on the afternoon groups, but the fans as well as dozens of people were rushed off the course throughout the day complaining of heat-stroke symptoms.  Playing early also seemed to help with scoring, as Michelle Wie  shot the low round of the day and moved into contention with a 5-under par 67.  The forecast is for temperatures to cool down a bit on the weekend, but that means the wind will probably become a big factor down the stretch.  Stay tuned to Desertcaddie.com for more updates on The 40th Kraft Nabisco Championship.

What’s Up with East Valley?

Morongo Casino

Beaumont, CA – Originally built to be the hub of western golf for the Southern California PGA in 2000, and then purchased by LA Businessman Choon Man Lee in 2008,  The East Valley Golf Club in Beaumont is now under the new ownership of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.  The beautiful 36-hole layout of championship golf has always been open to the public and according to the tribe, they intend to keep it that way.

“The East Valley Golf Club has a well-earned reputation for providing players with an exceptional golf experience in a scenic and natural setting,” said Robert Martin, tribal chairman of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. “Adding one of the region’s top golf courses to the family of amenities at Morongo will compliment the world-class entertainment opportunities we already offer our resort patrons and the region.”

The East Valley Golf Club has hosted many significant events, including the Southern California PGA Professional Championship and the Southern California PGA McGladrey Section Championship.  The Southern California Section of the PGA of America maintain their corporate business offices at this location and will continue to do so.  The tribe also intends to retain the existing staff.