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Justin_Zook

  • Karma: +0/-0
Golf in the Desert
« on: November 13, 2002, 07:24:21 AM »
Who was the person to design a golf course in the desert?  

Does anyone know who it was to commission such a project?

To me, its a unique concept.  Putting grass, something that thrives in a very lush environment, in a place that seems very rugged, harsh, and hostile.

Thanks!
Justin Zook
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Matt_Cohn

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in the Desert
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2002, 04:15:41 PM »
Desert Forest in Carefree (I think), Arizona is considered the first real "desert" course. (Right guys?) That was a Red Lawrence design. But you could make a case for Mauna Kea being the first one too...
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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A_Clay_Man

Re: Golf in the Desert
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2002, 06:10:12 PM »
I would've guessed someone earlier than "Red". Billy Bell, Gene Sarazan... Who? where?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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jim__janosik

Re: Golf in the Desert
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2002, 06:54:50 PM »
I know that there are very old layouts in the CA desert going back to the 20's. The La Quinta Resort's original courses(before Dye) I think goes back circa 1930. I may be wrong but is not FURNACE CREEK in Death Valley pretty old?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Yancey_Beamer

Re: Golf in the Desert
« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2002, 08:51:51 PM »
Furnace Creek,Death Valley,William P. Bell,1939
O'Donnell Golf Club,Palm Springs,J.Dawson,1934
Presidents Club at Indian Palms,Indio,J.Cochran,1948
Thunderbird Country Club,Rancho Mirage,Johnny Dawson,1952
Tamarisk Country Club,Rancho Mirage,William P. Bell,1952
La Quinta Country Club,La Quinta,Lawrence Hughes,1959

These are the oldest desert courses in California.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Yancey_Beamer

Re: Golf in the Desert
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2002, 08:57:46 PM »
Re-Commission of a golf course in the desert,T. O'Donnell.
Unfortunately I know nothing about him.This is the first course to be played in Palm Springs.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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A_Clay_Man

Re: Golf in the Desert
« Reply #6 on: November 14, 2002, 07:44:42 AM »
Yancy- Are you sure about Furnace Creek?

I was under the impression that old man Jones was the designer. I was told that by the construction supervisers son who's name was Roberts.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Matt_Cohn

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in the Desert
« Reply #7 on: November 14, 2002, 11:28:30 PM »
Are we talking about desert golf courses, or just "golf in the desert?"

Golf in the desert is just normal golf except the water is more expensive!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Rich Goodale (Guest)

Re: Golf in the Desert
« Reply #8 on: November 15, 2002, 01:22:38 AM »
Since everything south of Bakersfield is technically desert, perhaps Riviera?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Craig Van Egmond

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in the Desert
« Reply #9 on: November 15, 2002, 08:05:12 AM »

They story I got about Furnace Creek that it was a only 3 holes in the 30's, expanded to 9 holes in the 50's and then to 18 in 1965 by William Bell.

Then in 1997 Perry Dye remodeled the whole thing.

There website says the course opened in 1931.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Yancey_Beamer

Re: Golf in the Desert
« Reply #10 on: November 16, 2002, 10:36:24 PM »
California Golf Guide
William P, Bell,1939
William F. Bell,1969
Perry Dye,1997
I was told it was 9 holes originally with 9 holes added in 1969.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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