You’ve read the many recent reviews from players...now let me inform you of what it’s like to RUN an event at the PGA West Nicklaus Tournament Course. I’ve run many events at terrific high-end facilit... Continue »

You’ve read the many recent reviews from players...now let me inform you of what it’s like to RUN an event at the PGA West Nicklaus Tournament Course. I’ve run many events at terrific high-end facilities but this place tops them all. The mere fact the word “Tournament” is in the name of the course should give you an indication of how perfect it is. Starting with the clubhouse. Essentially, the clubhouse is built to cater to the Nicklaus Course as opposed the TPC Stadium Course. The staging areas for check in and event conclusion are exceptional. Event participants come through a grand front entrance where your table is set up in an impressive hallway in front of the golf shop and Ernie’s Restaurant. The first tee is stationed directly next to the practice area and close to the clubhouse. The 9th and 18th holes finish right in front of the clubhouse where a giant patio balcony overlooks both greens to produce an almost gallery feel to the holes. Once the players come off the course, awards/food/drink accommodations are provided by the recently renovated Ernie’s Bar/Restaurant. Ernie’s provides a massive balcony covered patio looking over the finishing hole, comfortable seating, delicious food and top-notch service everyone will appreciate. Regarding the course, the layout is perfect (just make sure you have your players on the correct tees for their skill level). It’s mostly open off the tee so your players can have ample opportunity to experience the visually stunning/unique layout. The challenge of the course lies mostly greenside with very well protected slender greens. But perhaps the biggest treat for players are the immaculate conditions and dramatic forced carries over water holes that will leave them remembering the course for a long time. Finally, if the facility/course were not enough to ensure a great time to your players, the service will do all in its power to. The Tournament Director, Scott Bishop went out of his way to help us with check-in and post event setup. The on course food/beverage service was seen at least 3 times by our group. The starter gave us very informative brief of the course. The bag drop and cart service staff had things organized and ready to assist.

Greenskeeper.org will be a returning customer for another outing at PGA West!

Played in the GK tournament on 5/15. I was treated like a VIP from the time we pulled up to the bag drop area, till the last bite of my cheeseburger.
The club house and practice facilities are only o... Continue »

Played in the GK tournament on 5/15. I was treated like a VIP from the time we pulled up to the bag drop area, till the last bite of my cheeseburger.
The club house and practice facilities are only out done by the course the Jack built.
Johnny thanks for the great golfing experience. Keep up the great work.

I also played in the GK event last Saturday. When you arrive at the course, you just know that the golf is going to be special. Beautiful facilities, top-notch customer service, immaculate course cond... Continue »

I also played in the GK event last Saturday. When you arrive at the course, you just know that the golf is going to be special. Beautiful facilities, top-notch customer service, immaculate course conditions, and a very challenging layout. I especially liked the "plateau" fairways which made you think about every tee shot. Good shots got rewarded and errant shots made you suffer... Good times! Something I learned: you are close to sea level, and the air is relatively heavy so your ball does not travel as far as you like. Think about that when you have to hit an elevated green and coming up short is really bad. One of the best post-round events at Ernie's Grill. Thanks to Johnny for setting this one up.

Played the GK event here. This is a tough course. Elevated fairways with hidden undulations. Elevated tees protected by deep valleys and lots of sand. Local knowledge is almost a must as the GPS syste... Continue »

Played the GK event here. This is a tough course. Elevated fairways with hidden undulations. Elevated tees protected by deep valleys and lots of sand. Local knowledge is almost a must as the GPS system does not show all the hidden valleys and canyons! Immaculately maintained. Some beautiful views and many interesting holes.

First time played Gk event on 5/15 . It's a great course ,like other top course in palm spring, the condition is very good. Green is very firm but roll true. In this course , you should not take a ris... Continue »

First time played Gk event on 5/15 . It's a great course ,like other top course in palm spring, the condition is very good. Green is very firm but roll true. In this course , you should not take a risk, iron only will help a lot, no 3,5 woods ,lol. Short game and putt are very important here. The only issue is its a little hot which make me don't eat anything after breakfast .
The best time is all people are watching at last group on the patio. It's like PGA tour though somebody yell " no pressure" .

Had a lot of fun that day, will definitely play the event at industry hill.

I played the GK Event 5/15--What a great time! This was a spectacular course which captivated me as soon as I walked in and saw all the memorabilia of past champions! The day was warm but not uncomf... Continue »

I played the GK Event 5/15--What a great time! This was a spectacular course which captivated me as soon as I walked in and saw all the memorabilia of past champions! The day was warm but not uncomfortable and the staff was very friendly. The starter gave us the scoop on the course and had us laughing and anxious to tee off. I was so nervous and excited, it took me the first 3 holes to get rid of the jitters. Loved playing here and would love to come back again. The course was challenging but I did pretty good for a girl! Mr. Johnny GK puts on a great tournament, thanks Johnny! The $6 happy hour menu was delicious and the hot wings were the best I have had in quite a while...I'd go back just to have more! Beautiful course, fun to play, and great group of GKers!

Another GK Extravaganza!!!!! What a blast. Thanks to my playing partners for such a great day. Course was fan-freakn-tastic. Fairways were generous and if you sprayed a bit the side mounds could throw... Continue »

Another GK Extravaganza!!!!! What a blast. Thanks to my playing partners for such a great day. Course was fan-freakn-tastic. Fairways were generous and if you sprayed a bit the side mounds could throw your ball back into the fairway. Unless you, I don't know, whats bigger than sprayed? Fan? Your drives and hit into somebody's kitchen the ball usually came back. Unless you're JohnnyGK your ball is off the roof, off the cart path nothing but fairway.

Greens rolled well and I thought held shots. Def must hit it on the green or you will add squiggly numbers to your scorecard. Bar service from Kelly was great. Double burger was fantastic and so were the wings and cold beer.

If you haven't played in an event you need to get to one. Great folks playing the game we love. Don't think of it as a tournament. Not a lot of competition out there. Yea we keep score mostly cuz that's what you do when you golf. It's about playing somewhere you may have never played with folks you have something in common with. Even if you have never met them before. It's about the experience not the score.

Played the GK event like everyone else. When I got there, used the awesome practice facilities, the staff was helpful and really nice. And when I looked at the course Jack had built, it was so pretty ... Continue »

Played the GK event like everyone else. When I got there, used the awesome practice facilities, the staff was helpful and really nice. And when I looked at the course Jack had built, it was so pretty it called to me like a Siren. Unfortunately, like a Siren, it also killed me. If you miss a fairway, you got punished. The fairway was lined with valleys that would eat your ball, lakes that would eat your balls, and giant beaches. Not bunkers. Beaches. From my round I can say that the grass in the rough and the hills was great, the bunkers, all 1800 that I ended up in, were in great condition, and the greens were really fast. Lost a lot of balls to the lake monsters. Final thoughts: if you're going to build a house by a golf course, it might get hit. And Jack is a b*st%rd . Had a great time.

Played in the GK tourney on 5/15..Out at 12:30pm. This was one of the better courses I have ever played in my life as far as conditions were concerned. As you walk in the clubhouse/entrance you are gr... Continue »

Played in the GK tourney on 5/15..Out at 12:30pm. This was one of the better courses I have ever played in my life as far as conditions were concerned. As you walk in the clubhouse/entrance you are greeted by pictures of champions of the past and have that giddy feeling walking in. Cartbarn staff were there to load your clubs on your cart as well as clean them and take them to your car after the round. Food and view from Ernie's bar and grill was amazing. The square footage for their practice facility alone was unbelievable and top notch. They have a huge grass driving range with a pyramid of Callaway golf balls awaiting you on the range. They also have a huge chipping and sand practice area that I really enjoyed before the round. The huge putting green is above with views of the adjacent Stadium course. The carts have a great GPS system with distances to the front and back of the greens as well as distances right to the hole locations.

The greens were quick and rolling around a 10 or so I would say. They held iron shots and chips with spin and were tough to hold while chipping if you short sided yourself. While the fairways in most spots had some room they were visually intimidating in spots with moguls, drop-offs and plenty of fairway bunkers. Did not have one bad lie in the fairways...beautiful shape. The course itself had its challenges but I personally felt that there were many holes to score on and that if you were having a good ball striking day there were at least 3-4 birdies out there. The sand was in good shape and was firm sand in the fairways bunkers which allowed you to pick the ball clean with approaches. The true test of this course was sticking your irons into greens that were long but not very deep. Our group also felt that the par 3's while not long were challenging guarded with water and a stiff wind on the back nine. The par 5's were reachable with good drives and I just flat out loved playing #9 and #18....both were great golf holes! The tees were in good shape and I found that every tee was level and had lush grass to hit off of.
I can't wait to play this course again and not play like Judge Smail's grandson next time out.......this course was an exceptional experience.....thanks for the experience Johnny and GK.