Mix It Up
A few miles further down Palm Canyon Drive is Cathedral City, a former haven for Palm Springs’ most famous denizens (including Bob Hope himself) that has in recent years had a hard time attracting the high-end resorts (and resort tourists) that are the economic lifeblood of the region, in part due to its location on the valley’s western end.
Currently, however, Cathedral City is in the midst of an economic revival, owed in part to the very resorts and hotels that draw many tourists away. As real estate in Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells and other valley resort towns becomes increasingly consumed by fairways, swimming pools and high-end restaurants, Cathedral City has been able to relabel itself as the region’s top source of quality, affordable housing for the thousands of club employees, restaurant workers, course maintenance staff and other middle-class Palm Springs families that are an essential part of the region’s industry.
Symbolic of the city’s resurgence is CATHEDRAL CANYON GOLF & TENNIS CLUB AT WELK RESORTS DESERT OASIS (760-328-6571, www.cathedral-canyon.com). Yes, that Welk — the world-famous bandleader and television star bought a motel and nine-hole golf course north of San Diego in 1964, then rode the Hollywood-driven wave of tourism to the region in the 1960s until that one small acquisition had become a bevy of five-star resorts, complete with one-bedroom vacation villas available for rent or sale, pools, recreation centers … and in Cathedral City, 27 holes of championship golf.
Today, Welk’s Cathedral Canyon Country Club represents one of the valley’s best values, with three distinct nines — including the eucalyptus-laden Lake and Mountain Courses, and the links-style Arroyo Course — that reward shotmaking without punishing the short hitter.
“The Lake and Mountain courses are similar, both weaving in and out of the eucalyptus and pine groves. The Arroyo is more of a traditional links style, with undulating fairways, elevated greens and three water hazards,” says general manager Robert Burke. “It’s a fun and unique course layout.”
It’s also a terrific bargain. Perhaps reflective of its geographic separation from the higher-end Palm Springs resorts, Cathedral Canyon’s prices come in at the middle-to-low end of the valley range, with a Players’ Card available for as little as $150 — $100 for guests of the resort. For that investment, cardholders receive one free round, plus 40 percent off of additional rounds — do the math, and it basically pays for itself after your first paid round, plus continued discounts for subsequent rounds.
Of course, on top of its discounted daily rates, Cathedral Canyon also offers reasonable membership packages. Burke estimates that 80 percent of the club’s 195 members are snowbirds, including a significant number from Washington and Oregon.
“The number-one reason our members return to Cathedral Canyon is for the variety,” he says. “Also, with 27 holes, we can put a lot more players on the course without slowing down play. Knowing you’ll be able to get on the course anytime you want is certainly a big plus.”
A restaurant and bar, 6,800-square foot practice green, practice facility and (in the spirit of Lawrence Welk) twice-weekly dinner entertainment, make Cathedral Canyon a first-class experience at a working-class price.
Or, in the words of Welk himself, simply, “Wunnerful.”