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The Champions Club

The Best Mens and Ladies League in the Desert

Please use the Apply Online button below to pay for weekly green fee. 

$299.00 to join Champs Club
Must have a valid Palm Desert Resident's Card to participate in the Champions Club 

Champions Club Memberships will be able to apply for membership online between September 1st - 10th. Please bring your valid Palm Desert Resident's Card on the first day of play.

  • Complimentary SCGA Handicap
  • 50% OFF Resort Practice Range Fee, AFTER 10:00am ($15 instead of $30)
  • 25% OFF Golf Shop Apparel (Non-Sale Items)
  • 15% OFF Accessories, Gift Items and Footwear (Non-Sale Items)
  • 10% OFF Restaurant Dining (Food Only)
  • Weekly Skills Challenge

Importance announcement for the upcoming 2023-2024 season;

  • 72 players available every week
  • 100 total memberships available for purchase, champions club members with five or more years of participation history will have first right of refusal.
  • Green fees - $65 + $5 buy in = $70 per week paid only by the monday prior at midnight
  • Membership fee - $299 for the year including GHIN membership renewal 

Champions Club Tournament Schedule


Players must sign up in the Golf Shop or via telephone, 760.346.7060 Ext. 1, by close of business the Sunday before Wednesday play. Emails will not be accepted. Sign ups will only be available 7 days in advance of each event. Open tee times will be released at the close of business on Sundays.

2023-2024 Season

Date Format Time Course
Wednesday, October 4, 2023 Individual Stroke Play 7:30 AM MV
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 9 The Hard Way 7:30 AM FC
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Individual Stroke Play - Mystery Holes 7:30 AM FC
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 NO PLAY COURSE BUYOUTS!    
Wednesday, November 1, 2023 Two Person Scramble 7:35AM MV
Wednesday, November 8, 2023 Odds or Evens 7:35 AM FC
Wednesday, November 15, 2023 Individual Stroke Play 7:35 AM FC
Wednesday, November 22, 2023 NO EVENT THANKSGIVING BREAK
Wednesday, November 29, 2023 9 The Hard Way 7:35 AM FC
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 Two Person Best Ball 7:35 AM FC
Wednesday, December 13, 2023 Individual Stroke Play - Mystery Holes 7:35 AM FC
Wednesday, December 20, 2023   Indy Stroke Play                                                                                 7:30 AM            FC
Wednesday, December 27, 2023 NO EVENT HOLIDAY BREAK    
Wednesday, January 3, 2024 9 The Hard Way 7:30 AM/TT FC
Wednesday, January 10, 2024 Stableford Points 7:35 AM/SG MV
Wednesday, January 17, 2024 Individual Stroke Play  7:30 AM/TT FC
Wednesday, January 24, 2024 9 The Easy Way 7:35 AM/TT MV
Wednesday, January 31, 2024 Odds or Evens 7:30 AM/SG FC
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 Mystery Holes 7:35 AMSG MV
Wednesday, February 14, 2024 Individual Stroke Play 7:30 AM/TT FC
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 9 The Hard Way 7:35 AM/TT MV
Wednesday, Febraury 28, 2024 Mystery Holes 7:30 AM/SG FC
Wednesday, March 6, 2024 Odds or Evens 7:35 AM MV
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 Individual Stroke Play 7:30 AM FC
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 Mystery Holes 7:35 AM MV
Wednesday, March 27, 2024 Individual Stroke Play 7:35 AM MV
Wednesday, April 3, 2024 Individual Stroke Play 7:35AM FC
Wednesday, April 10, 2024 Odds or Evens 7:30 AM FC
Wednesday, April 17, 2024 9 the Easy Way 7:35 AM MV
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 Mystery Holes 7:30 AM FC
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 Stableford Poins 7:35 AM MV
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 Individual Stoke Play 7:35 AM FC
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 Individual Stroke Play 7:35 AM MV
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 Individual Stroke Play 7:30 AM MV

  Wednesday, May 29, 2024                                                               Individual Stroke Play                                                 7:30 AM                 MV

**Please note this is a tentative schedule. The events and times are subject to change. Large outings will take precedence over Wednesday events. Desert Willow Golf Resort staff will work with Club Representatives to reschedule events.**

Eligibility
Must have a valid Palm Desert Resident's Card to be a participant in the Champion's Club.

Weekly Play Rate
Palm Desert Resident Rate $65 + $5 Buy In = $70 per week which will be paid online this season.


Start Times
7:30 AM / 7:35 AM Wednesday Shotguns. Minimum of 40 players for a Shotgun Start. Straight Tee Times will be utilized for 39 Players or less. Tee Times/Shotgun Hole Assignments will be posted under the "Starting Assignments" Tab on the Champions Club webpage the Monday prior to each Wednesday event.


Season Length
October 2023 through May 2024


Number of Players
Maximum of 72 players per week (a wait list will be utilized after 72 players are signed up)


Formats | Prize Pool Fee/Payouts
Determined by Champions Club Representatives


Pairings
Pairings will be done in accordance to the sign up form unless otherwise changed by the Champions Club Representatives. Pairing requests will typically be granted, but may be adjusted if necessary.


Weekly Sign Ups
Players must sign up in the Golf Shop or via telephone, 760.346.7060 Ext. 1, by close of business the Sunday before Wednesday play. Emails will unfortunately, not be accepted. Sign ups will only be available 7 days in advance of each event. Open tee times will be released at the close of business on Sundays.


No Shows
All no shows will be charged the Champions Club Rate ($65). Cancellations must be made by the Monday prior before midnight.


Cart Signs | Scorecards | Scoring
Desert Willow Golf Resort staff will provide Cart Signs, Scorecards, and Scoring for each Wednesday event. The Results will be posted under the "Results" tab on the Champions Club webpage. The Champions Club Commissioner will post weekly scores to the participants active GHIN Handicap. A Valid GHIN Handicap is necessary should a competitor want to be eligible for NET prizes & the NET Points Race.

Champions Club

7:30 Tee Time Start

On Wednesday, if the official scorecard has a zero handicap that indicates you do not have a current index.

Those players without current index's will compete only for Gross prizes until their index is establish (should take 7 or so posted rounds)

*** We appreciate everyone's understanding with pairings moving forward - the spirit of Champions Club is getting to know other Palm Desert Locals who love the game of golf. Enjoy making connections and have fun!!!

 

Firecliff Golf Course

Format - 2 Player Best Ball

Wednesday December 6th, 2023 

                           

7:30

Jitka Civrna Jenny Hart

Janet Haire

Maggie Cahill

7:40

Barbara Briguglio Gail Anderson

Lynn Dekcock

Amy Lichty

7:50

Sandy Ottmar

Jennylynn Fraser

Barbara Johns Judy McLennan

8:00

Gail McClay

Paula Parker

Janet Hansen Andrea Rifkin

8:10

Terry Van Bibber Shirley Van Bibber

Madeleine Mathieu

Michael Downey

8:20

Robert Kleinberg Don Wallace Buck Pruett Peter Lewis

8:30

Roger Ottmar

Michael Kelly

Ken Boone

Peter Fraser

8:40

Tom Kenworthy

Dale Birkland

Joe Marinko

David Newman

8:50

Al Hodgins

Dan Foxx

Bob Burley

Pat Beyer

9:00

Tom Walton

Lou Gonzalez Jon McGihon

Gordy Karch

9:10

Bobby Erickson

Steve Valente

Mark Ridley

Greg Maryatt

9:20

Tom Dwyer Jim Young Clay Meeker Randy Swangard

9:30

Ron Gow Diane Dunne Dave Simpson Dave Herbert
9:40 Rob McAfee Bill Miller

Ed Erikson

Cliff Lindgren

9:50

Fred Johns

Chuck Collins

Fred Hardy

Chuck Killion

10:00

John King

Steve Shimkus

Paul Weston

Tom Rocheford

10:10

Ben Wieringa

Bruce Mailhes Hal Hinds Jon Bradbury
10:20        
 
         
         
         

Please call us in the golf shop at 760-346-7060 ex. 1 or email Jeff Grant, PGA at jgran[email protected] if you have any questions or need assistance!

RESULTS WILL BE POSTED BY FRIDAY, WEEKLY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING!

CHAMPIONS CLUB

9 The Hard Way

11/29/23 

I have updated $winnings as of this 12.2.23 at 6:12am.

 Winners 

Closest to pin # 3 - Ladies, Closest to pin # 3 - Men

Congrats to Fred Johns HOLE IN ONE # 3, Karen Highstreet - $5/player

Ladies Gross Winners

T1st place - Karen Highstreet, Jenny Hart - $15.00/player

Ladies Net Winners 

1st place - Madeleine Mathieu - 34 - $15.00

2nd place - Marianne Zech - 39 - $12.00

3rd place - Jitka Civrna - 42 - $10.00

4th place - Barbara Johns - 44 - $8.00

Men Gross Winners 

1st place - Jon McGihon - 37 - $19.50

2nd place - Jon Bradbury - 38 - $18.50

3rd place - Bruce Mailhes - 39 - $17.50

Men Net Winners 

1st place - Rob McAfee - 31 - $19.50

T2nd place - Les Anderson, Joe Marinko, Greg Maryatt - 33 - $17.50/player

T5th place - Tom Kenworthy, Randy Swangard, Ben Wieringa - 34 - $14.50/player

T8th place - David Simpson, Roger Ottmar, Al Hodgins, Tom Walton, Randy Catlett, Hal Hinds - 35 - $10.00/player

T14th place - Jim Young, Fred Johns, Steve Valente, John King, Tom Rocheford - 36 - $4.50/player

 

Please call us in the golf shop at 760-346-7060 ex. 1 or email Jeff Grant, PGA at jgran[email protected] if you have any questions or need assistance!

2023-2024 Champions Club FAQ’s

Q:  How and when will 2023-2024 Champions Club be announced?​
A:  
We will be including announcements in our September Chip Shots Email blast and sending a separate notification to our Champions Club and Palm Desert Resident databases.

Q:  How do I qualify to become a Champions Club member?
A:  
All valid Palm Desert Resident Cardholders are welcome to join (not expired and will be verified on first day of play).
GHIN Membership included – USGA index must be maintained throughout the season

Q:  How much is the Champions Club Membership Card and what are green fees?
A:  
The card costs $299 for the season including GHIN membership for the year (Desert Willow Golf Resort becomes your home course)
Green fee  = $65 + $5 tournament fee = $70 total per tournament round (will be paid online as done this past season). Green fees must be paid by the Monday prior at midnight PST!

Q:  How long is the Champions Club season and when do they play?
A:  
Season runs from October 1, 2023 - May 31, 2024. Champions Club plays every Wednesday. This season will consist of 7:30AM  tee time and shotgun starts.

Q:  How do I sign up for Champions Club?
A:  
Online application will run from September 1, 2023 through September 10, 2023. You can find the registration link on the Champions Club landing page - Champions Club | Desert Willow Golf ResortMemberships will be granted via loyalty qualification and lottery, applications do not guarantee membership.

Q:  What is a loyalty member and what benefits do they receive?
A:  
Any Champions Club member that has five plus years of participation is a loyalty member. Loyalty members will have first right of refusal to membership (new this year). Loyalty members must note how many years of membership in the appropriate spot on the application. Once registration is closed on September 10th, we will finalize the list of loyalty members and reach out via email to secure payment for membership.

Q:  If you are not a loyalty member, how do you gain membership to Champions Club?
A:  
Remaining memberships available after loyalty memberships are granted (not to exceed 100) will be offered via lottery.

Q:  Does Champions Club have different flights, if so what is it based on?
A:  
This past season we had a men’s and ladies flight. We paid 1st place gross in each flight then roughly 40% of the field in net.

Q:  What is the $5 tournament fee for?
A:  
The $5 fee goes towards the weekly prize fund. Winners each week will win credit book to spend in the Desert Willow golf shop on merchandise. Credit book winnings do not expire.

Q:  Do I get any other benefits with Champions Club membership?
A:  
50% off driving range after 10:00am. 25% off Apparel (Non-Sale Items). 15% off Accessories, gift items, and footwear. 15% off individual golf lessons. 10% off Restaurant Dining at The Terrace at DWGR (food only).

Q:  How do the weekly pairings work, where and when do you sign up?
A:  
Weekly sign up will start at 6:00 am the Wednesday prior. You can sign up in person or call the golf shop. Pairings will be posted to the Champions Club landing page by the Friday prior to play. 

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