Having played Desert Willow's Firecliff course a half dozen times over the years, I felt it was a nice companion piece to the previous day's GK Event at The Classic Club and expected similar playing c... Continue »

Having played Desert Willow's Firecliff course a half dozen times over the years, I felt it was a nice companion piece to the previous day's GK Event at The Classic Club and expected similar playing conditions for the GK Plays Event on Saturday, December 8. Well, count me among those who were absolutely knocked out by the excellent putting surfaces, which, unlike the greens at The Classic Club, were devoid of any cosmetic damage resulting from poorly repaired ball marks. The tee boxes, fairways, and rough were just about pristine but the greens stole the show, which is why those of us who played here are lobbying for a future GK Event at this fine facility.

As was the case at The Classic Club, Desert Willow is professionally managed and exudes a private club ambiance yet without any hint of arrogance or stuffiness. The staff goes out of its' way to ensure an enjoyable time for everyone, and that commences as soon as you approach the clubhouse. Well-organized and efficient, the operation runs like clockwork with no detail overlooked and the pace-of-play was closely monitored throughout our time on the course.

The layout is visually stunning, mostly due to the proliferation of sand traps (over 100), yet is player-friendly with relatively wide fairways and alternate routes into the greens. No dramatic elevation changes to speak of but the gently contoured fairways provide welcome relief from the typically flat desert course and add to its' character.

As far as the sand was concerned, we teed off @ 8:00-8:15 and found it to be damp and heavy as a result of sprinkler overspray. Trying to escape from the bunkers was akin to hitting shots off a freshly poured patio slab and the results would bear that out. Short-sided myself on more than one occasion and found it next to impossible to get any spin on the ball and stop it close to the pin. Conversely, the sand along #17 green was very thin with a hard base, which I discovered a couple of seconds too late. Thanks Willie! :)

I'd classify the green speed as medium when we began the round but it jumped up a notch or two once the moisture burned off and the temperature rose. Some putts had more break than what we would have figured but with an accurate read and a good stroke, chances are the ball was going to find the hole.

The layout features a great variety of holes...3-shot Par 5s, some that can be reached in two by long hitters, short Par 4s as well as long ones, a nice assortment of Par 3s...that maintains the entertainment level from start to finish. Firecliff is a challenging course that will reward someone whose game is on yet punish those who stray off the tee and fail to avoid the bunkers that dominate the layout. With that being said, however, the fun factor is high, which adds to the overall appeal of this two-course facility.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the outside patio are that overlooks the 9th and 18 greens; it is a great setting for watching some golf while dining/drinking/socializing after the round. The food and service was top-notch and provided a perfect ending to a wonderful weekend in the desert.

In closing, I'd like to acknowledge my playing partners...SR129, DCricket, and RStang06...for being such a pleasure to play with; it was a privilege. And thanks are also in order for the effort Johnny GK continually puts into organizing these events, often at the expense of his own golf game, in order to ensure a good time for everyone. I'd say he was successful once again.

Desert Willow Resort Golf Course Review
Palm Springs California Golf Course Reviews