COURSE DETAILS
ABOUT OUR COURSE
Shadow Mountain Club was the vision of developer Cliff Henderson, known as the “Father of Palm Desert”. Starting with the purchase of 620 acres in 1946, the Club was originally conceived as a planned community for those wanting to enjoy the club’s planned tennis, golf, swimming, horseback riding, dinner, and dancing amenities.
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The Historic Shadow Mountain Golf Club was incorporated in 1958, and by the end of the year 1960, the Club had over 270 members. Shadow Mountain’s Palm Desert golf course was designed by Grand Slam Winner, Gene Sarazen, known as “The Squire” for his dapper dress and the ever-present two-tone wing-tipped shoes. Summarizing the layout of the course, he stated: “The new modern course of this type is shorter than most, but is not easier to play. It will give the golfer who uses his brain a chance against the competitor who hits with power, and I think it will be one of the sportiest and most challenging courses in the entire area”. Sarazen was the first to accomplish the Professional Grand Slam with the US Open in 1922, the PGA in 1923, the British Open in 1932, and then the Masters. At age 33 he became the first player to win all four majors. Only Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods have matched his record.
In 2010 the City of Palm Desert proclaimed Shadow Mountain Golf Club as a Historic Landmark with to the distinction of being the first golf course in the City of Palm Desert. In April of 2022, we opened our massive 18 Hole "Let's Flamingo" Putting Course. During the fall of 2022 we added our Party Pavillion as a place to relax with a drink before or after enjoying the available activities. Our newest addition is an outside bar being built to honor Geno Biggi.
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Shadow Mountain Golf Club is where the community comes to play!
Course Layout
Shadow Mountain Golf Club was the first golf course developed in Palm Desert, California in 1958. Which led it to become the 2nd Historic site. It was designed by the legendary Gene Sarazen “The Squire”. Shadow Mountain Golf Club is not long but is very challenging in its own ways such as small greens, and tight fairways. Unlike many courses in the Coachella Valley, Shadow Mountain Golf Club allows you to walk the course. We also have a one acre putting course that consist of 18 holes, which is named ‘Let’s Flamingo.”