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 In an effort to lose that dreaded label, some courses spend a few dollars to spruce up the course while others change the culture by being more service-oriented. Rarely does a course take a mulligan and reinvent itself. But Indian Springs Golf and Country Club in La Quinta did just that. The desert course that opened to the public in 1962 recently underwent a $3 million renovation to keep up with the times and competition. “We bought two extra parcels of land,” said Neil Finch, the course’s general manager and director of golf. “With the exception of the original 10th, 11th and 12th holes, we rerouted all 18 holes. We added new bunkers, new greens and brought in a modern irrigation system, which is a must in the desert. They used to have to turn the water on by hand.” The end result has been met positively by golfers. “It’s very player-friendly,” Finch said. “Our greens are immaculate. There are eight lakes on the course that come into play on 11 holes, but we always give the player a place to bail out.” Architect David Ginkel was hired for the renovation project, and his design makes great use of the desert landscape along the 6,771-yard layout. Highlights include the second hole, a par 4 that plays 400 yards from the back tee. The hole dog-legs to the left, and approach shots to the green are framed by a mountain backdrop, waterfall and an abundance of flowers. Another gem is the 18th hole, a par 5 that plays 556 yards from the back tee. Water guards the front and right side of the green, but a generous bailout area is provided for players not interested in flirting with the hazard. The course has created such a buzz that all 729 homes that were built around the course sold out quickly. Thankfully for golfers, the developers planned appropriately and have generally kept the homes away from the fairways. Indian Springs prides itself on four-hour rounds and reasonable rates. The course can be played for $79 on weekdays and $89 on weekends during the season, and for as little as $39 during the summer. Annual memberships also are available. N For more information, call 760-200-8988 or visit www.indianspringsgc.com. |
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