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Desert Willow Golf Resort is a City of Palm Desert-owned public golf facility in Palm Desert, California, comprising two separate 18-hole courses. Firecliff opened in 1997 and is a par-72 layout measuring 7,056 yards from the black tees, with a 74.1 rating and 141 slope. Mountain View followed in October 1998 and is a par-72 course measuring 6,913 yards from the black tees, rated 73.0 with a 132 slope.
The design team was Dr. Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry and PGA Tour professional John Cook, with landscape architect Eric Johnson involved in the desert planting concept. The City developed the resort with an emphasis on public golf and desert-sensitive landscaping and continues to own it, while KemperSports manages the operation.
The course is a 36-hole resort golf course. Designed by Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry and John Cook, the course originally opened in 1997. It is open to the public. On-site facilities include Driving Range, Practice Facility, Golf Lessons, Pro Shop, Restaurant, Patio Dining, Club Rental.
The City of Palm Desert developed and owns Desert Willow Golf Resort as a public golf project intended to support recreation, tourism and city revenue. The City commissioned Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry and John Cook to design the golf courses, while landscape architect Eric Johnson developed a plant palette using desert-adapted vegetation.
The project was conceived around the existing desert environment, with native and drought-tolerant planting, controlled turf acreage, water-management measures and limited disruption of natural landforms. Firecliff was created as the more demanding course, while Mountain View was intentionally made more forgiving from the tee and incorporated more water features.
Firecliff opened in 1997, followed by Mountain View in October 1998. Firecliff has since received a substantial renovation involving Mini Verde Bermudagrass greens, reshaped and levelled tee boxes and refreshed fairways.
The resort's official archive records national coverage dating to 1997, including Smithsonian Magazine. Firecliff was ranked No. 21 in Golfweek's 2025 Best Courses You Can Play in California list.
Desert Willow remains owned by the City of Palm Desert and is managed by KemperSports. Both courses operate as public daily-fee golf, with public prices dynamically set and separate resident programs for Palm Desert residents.
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| Fee Type | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Palm Desert Resident Rate | $52 | Requires a valid current Palm Desert Resident Card and booking within the 3-day resident window. Public non-resident rates are dynamically priced. |
Prices are indicative and subject to change. Contact the course to confirm current rates.
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