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Desert sun still calls
By John Tipping, PNGA Media
Palm Springs is more than just Sinatra Boulevard or Bob Hope Drive. Its lush green fairways are an oasis for Northwest golfers trying
to escape the dark skies that hang around a Northwest winter like Norm and Cliff waiting for a beer at Cheers.
This is the golf capital of the Southwest. Nine new courses opened in the greater Palm Springs area this year. That brings the total
to more than 110 championship, resort, public, executive and 9-hole facilities - and more than a dozen are on the drawing board with
plans to open in 2005 or 2006.
When will it end? How much growth is too much - and where do all the people come from?
The thousands of you reading this who travel to Palm Springs each year know the answer to that question. In a recent survey conducted
by this magazine, the greater Palm Springs area is the No. 1 golf destination outside the Northwest. Thirty-four percent picked it No. 1
- ahead of Arizona, Hawaii, Mexico, Texas - and more.
You likely know someone who travels here to play, either in a tournament or on vacation. Others are here for business and just get in a
fun round some sunny afternoon (of which there are many). But this little enclave of eight individual communities that make up the
Coachella Valley (Palm Springs, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Indio, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells) each
have their own identity and offerings away from the course, as well.
I was talking with someone who quoted a local web site saying, "Golf here is king." And while that might be the truth, there is more to
the area than just golf.
The Coachella Valley has played host to its fair share of major moments in golf history. Events such as the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic,
the Nabisco Championship (formerly the Dinah Shore) and the Skins Game are conducted here each year. Beyond that, every big name in the
game is represented here. Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Ted Robinson all have done some of their finest design
work here.
But when it comes to the "why" Northwesterners make this journey, the answer is quite simple.
"It's the weather. No. 1 is the weather," said Butch Nyssen, a retired furniture manufacturer from Tacoma.
Nyssen has been coming to the Valley for five years and typically spends around three months each winter.
"It's also beautifully maintained," added Nyssen. "The Valley has lots of green grass - which I don't see in Arizona."
While Nyssen has chosen to rent during his stays here, many others have purchased second homes, timeshares or recreational vehicle sites
so they can come and go as they please. They come at all times of the year, but the winter and spring tend to be the most popular.
The high season starts the first of each year and by the end of April the weather has gotten quite a bit warmer and many head back to
their Northwest homes, families, etc.
But golf here is not just for the private-club set either. Plenty of public and resort golf offerings can be found at great value,
even during the high season.
At Palm Desert's Desert Willow Golf Resort, you can find golf less expensive than daily-fee play at a variety of courses in the Northwest.
Landmark Golf Club is one of many that offers great stay-and-play arrangement with a variety of local providers.
Whatever the reason or the time of year you decide to visit, the greater Palm Springs area has something that will interest you. A myriad
of web sites can be found with detailed information on packages or purchases you can make.
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