Eldorado

Two years after the Eldorado Country Club was formed in 1957, it hosted the 13th series of Ryder Cup matches, so its course is historically important.

Eldorado Country Club played host to the 1959 Ryder Cup matches between the USA and Great Britain. Team Captains were Sam Snead (US) and Dai Rees (GB). The British Team arrived at Palm Springs by bus after their flight from Los Angeles suffered acute storm turbulence and Captain Dai Rees decided to take the overland option. The awkward start to the 13th Ryder Cup matches proved too much for the British, who suffered a crushing defeat in the desert to an American side galvanised by Slammin’ Sam. USA 8 ½ - GB 3 ½. The Ryder Cup was played at Lindrick in 1957 and at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 1961.

Set dramatically at the feet of the Santa Rosa Mountains, Eldorado Country Club was originally designed in a rather rudimentary manner by Lawrence Hughes and this early desert course played second fiddle to the luxurious homes that flank many of the fairways.

In 2003, Tom Fazio carried out extensive alterations at Eldorado, which effectively put the course back on the map by introducing water aplenty in the shape of lakes and streams that have added both interest and strategic merit.

In its current guise, Eldorado could never host a modern day Ryder Cup but the course does have pedigree and history that many golf course aficionados seek.