When you’ve been in this business as long as I have, over 30 years and counting, you learn that an event isn’t just about linen colors or menu choices. It’s about people. It’s about stories. At Desert Willow Golf Resort, I’ve found the kind of canvas most event professionals only dream about: sweeping mountain views, sunsets that paint the sky in colors no designer could replicate, and a team that understands that hospitality is an art form.

I came to the desert from the East Coast, where speed and precision rule. Here, I discovered something rare: a pace that allows us to be present with our clients, to listen deeply, and to craft experiences that feel personal, timeless, and, dare I say, effortless.

Hospitality Beyond the Fairways

When a couple comes to us dreaming of a wedding, or a family is planning a golden anniversary, my job isn’t to sell them on Desert Willow, it’s to learn what matters most to them. Do they want their guests to feel embraced by the desert landscape? Do they imagine a night filled with music, laughter, and food that sparks conversation long after the last toast? From that first phone call to the moment we dim the lights at the end of the evening, my team and I walk alongside our clients. We’re planners, yes. But we’re also translators of vision, caretakers of detail, and sometimes, when the nerves kick in, calmers of hearts.

A Place Like No Other

You can plan an event anywhere. But at Desert Willow, the setting does half the work for us:

Scenic Venues: Terraces kissed by the sun, a clubhouse that feels both elegant and welcoming, and fairways framed by mountains that look like they were ordered up just for your day.

Inspired Culinary Creations: Our chefs aren’t just cooks; they’re artists. They take the seasons and weave them into menus that surprise and delight. A cocktail that tastes like the desert in bloom? A dish that celebrates the Coachella Valley’s unique culinary landscape? That’s our signature.

Events of Every Scale: I’ve overseen intimate luncheons where every guest felt like family, and galas with hundreds of people where not a single plate went out late. Big or small, we give each gathering the same devotion.

Behind the Scenes: The Heart of Our Team

I’ll let you in on a secret: the real magic of our department isn’t the view or even the food, it’s the people. My team shows up with passion, creativity, and precision. We don’t just check boxes; we anticipate needs before clients even know to ask.

One of my favorite memories? A couple once told me their dream was to say their vows as the sun slipped behind the 18th hole. That moment, so fleeting, so exact, meant everything to them. We choreographed every detail, from timing the music to the champagne pour. To this day, they tell me that moment lives in their family’s storytelling. That’s what we do here: create memories that become part of someone’s life forever.

Stories That Stay With Us

We’ve hosted weddings where couples return years later for anniversaries. We’ve welcomed companies who use our retreat spaces to spark creativity and connection. We’ve stood alongside local organizations as they raised funds that changed lives.

Just this summer, we hosted the Eisenhower Emergency Medicine graduation, an evening of pride and promise. And I’ll never forget the gala for CV Alzheimer’s, an event that wasn’t just seamless but record-breaking in what it achieved for the community.

Why We Do What We Do

When people ask me what makes Desert Willow special, I tell them it’s simple:

A desert setting that stuns every time.

A culinary team whose excellence is matched only by their imagination.

Spaces that flex to fit every vision.

And a Catering Sales team that treats your event as if it were our own family gathering.

After all these years, I still get goosebumps when I see a bride take that first step down the aisle, or when a host looks around the room and whispers, “This is exactly how I pictured it.”

That’s why we do what we do. And that’s why, if you’re planning something unforgettable, we’d love to help you make it a story worth telling, again and again.

Ready to imagine your own celebration? Discover more about hosting weddings, corporate gatherings, and private events at Desert Willow Golf Resort, we’d be honored to host your event.