Skip to content
The 17th hole at the Stadium Course at PGA West, designed by Pete Dye, is nicknamed Alcatraz because of the island green.
The 17th hole at the Stadium Course at PGA West, designed by Pete Dye, is nicknamed Alcatraz because of the island green.

One of my better tee shots recently felt great and looked good … until the ball got lost in the low sun and then simply got lost.

Don’t you hate it when that happens?

The shot was with a 6-iron at the 168-yard 17th hole at the TPC Stadium Course at PGA West in La Quinta, the site of this year’s CareerBuilder Challenge. It was the Monday after the final round of the PGA Tour event, and pins from Sunday’s round were left in place. We didn’t play from the tips like the pros, of course, except on No. 17, nicknamed Alcatraz because of the island green.

Everyone in my group was surprised when my ball wasn’t on the green. No splash was seen or carom off rocks heard, so I assumed I had a birdie putt waiting and something to write home about to family members who live in the Midwest and can only dream about playing golf in January.

To many, visiting the Coachella Valley is a bit of a dream whether coming from near or far. The setting is special, with layers of mountains appearing to be feet away, no matter your location, and the mixture of lush grasses and natural desert vegetation producing a kaleidoscope of colors not seen in many parts of the country.

The Palm Springs area is also unique because of its 120-plus golf courses in a 50-mile radius. That takes the concept of stay and play to a whole new level, and if playing at the TPC Stadium Course or the Nicklaus Tournament Course – another layout in play at the CareerBuilder Challenge – sounds like a win, win situation, the La Quinta Resort and Club provides access to those layouts in addition to three others designed by recognizable names – Greg Norman and two more by Pete Dye, who crafted TPC Stadium.

The newest course at PGA West is the one by Norman – a stark beauty because only 68 acres are manicured turf, with the rest of the layout sporting white crushed marble bunkers, desert vegetation and water in play on nine holes. It’s a good look for what could be the future of golf in our drought-starved portion of the country.

For a look and feel of what it might have been like in the Rat Pack days in the Palm Springs area, the La Quinta Resort and Club, which is celebrating its 90th year, mixes modern touches with decades-old décor, including red tile above, below and all around you. The resort has a community feel because the 620 guest rooms and 98 villas are spread throughout the sprawling property on a labyrinth of walkways that make you feel like you’re in a new neighborhood every 100 steps. Small pools and hot spas are everywhere, and all paths eventually lead to the main lobby and central area of the resort that offers a variety of dining and relaxation experiences.

But we golf, therefore we can. And can. And can. And can. As mentioned, there’s enough variety in the five options linked to the resort to keep you happy if an extended stay is in the works. But if back-to-back-to-back Pete Dye courses sounds a bit diabolical, there are, oh, about 115 other layouts a few miles away.

Just remember to pack your clubs, and lots of balls, particularly if a tee time at TPC Stadium is secured. A few weeks later it still bugs me that my ball on the 17th hole apparently went for a swim without telling me. OK. I’m obsessive. Sue me. But that hole owes me a ball! Then again, so does the first, fourth, seventh, ninth, 13th and 16th holes.

Did I mention there’s a PGA Tour-caliber range near the first tee? Note to self: Use it next time.