Thoroughly enjoyed the day @ Classic Club from all aspects…but it was my playing partners, Johnny G. and Mark E., who really made it extra special. Co... » More

Thoroughly enjoyed the day @ Classic Club from all aspects…but it was my playing partners, Johnny G. and Mark E., who really made it extra special. Couldn’t have asked for a better duo to be paired with.

Classic Club is one of my favorite courses in the Palm Desert area and for many reasons: outstanding layout…challenging yet fair…full-featured practice facility, professional/outgoing staff, and a meticulously-manicured, ambient setting that blends in so well with the property.

Course was in very good shape tee to green but it was difficult to not be disappointed with the overall quality of the greens. Possibly attributable to the time of year, they ran slow, grainy, and not as true as I had anticipated.

But what really caught my attention were the frayed and ragged edges around a number of cups…which led me to believe they elected to not cut fresh hole locations that morning. It’s not something I would expect from a high-end course such as this…especially after having already come out of aeration.

With that aside, this is a well-run operation; every staff member I interacted with was pleasant, courteous, and on top of their game. They genuinely make one feel welcome here…and that isn’t always the case at many other venues.

I opted to have dinner at Bellatrix at the conclusion of the GK raffle and the food/service were excellent. The generous meal credit is a nice touch and provided added value to the day’s entry fee.

I highly recommend Classic Club as a ‘must play’ if you’re in the area. The facility checks all the boxes when it comes to an enjoyable and satisfying experience, from start to finish.

And thanks again, Johnny, for organizing and making this all possible. It was great to have the opportunity to tee it up with you!
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Played Shadow Ridge for the first time in 12 years…a self-imposed seven-year exile from golf was a major contributing factor…as a warm-up for the Clas... » More

Played Shadow Ridge for the first time in 12 years…a self-imposed seven-year exile from golf was a major contributing factor…as a warm-up for the Classic Club event. It didn’t take long to be reminded why this course is my top choice in the Coachella Valley; the layout demands the best from all aspects of one’s game yet is fair and totally devoid of gimmicks.

Course conditions were very good as far as the tee boxes, fairways, and rough go. The greens? They were slow and grainy…but I did manage to make a few putts once I was able to dial in the speed so it turned out to be a relatively minor issue at the end of the day.

I had the last time on the tee sheet…2:00…and the course to myself so I played two balls the entire round. 36 holes on the books in three-and-a-half hours? I’ll take that every day of the week.

Practice facilities are second-to-none and the staff rates high as well. Having access to the locker room for a quick shower…after playing in the rain over the final four holes…was a welcome perk.

Also nice to FINALLY see an on-site restaurant (‘Giuseppe’s) open for business adjacent to the pro shop. Stopped in for dinner after the round and it was packed. Food and service were excellent…and they offer a pretty extensive menu.

Going back to the golf course, I believe the greens will be undergoing aeration next week, with a full course-closure scheduled at the end of October. With that in mind, I’d recommend holding off on playing there until they reopen late November.
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