Awards and Accolades
recognized by many…duplicated by none
Desert Willow Golf Resort has the ability to mesmerize you with its natural beauty and great service, but hear it from the critics on what they say about Desert Willow Golf Resort. Desert Willow was even featured by the Smithsonian Institute Magazine for its environmentally sound design and construction.
awards + accolades
 | Golfweek Magazine |
| Firecliff Course ranked 134 by Golfweek’s Best 2022: Top 200 Resort Golf Courses in the U.S. | |
 | Golfpass Golfer's Choice |
| Firecliff Course ranked #2 by GolfPass Golfer's Choice 2022 Best Courses in California | |
 | Club Resort Business |
| Ranked #12 by Club Resort Business Top Ranked Patios 2022 | |
 | Greenskeeper.org |
| 2021 Winner Southern California, Best Playing Conditions | |
 | Boardroom Magazine |
| 2021 Distinguished Golf Destination | |
 | The Desert Sun |
| 2022 Best Public Golf Course | |
 | Tripadvisor |
| 2020 Traveler's Choice | |
 | GolfAdvisor |
| Firecliff ranked 25 2021 Golfer's Choice Best Golf Courses in California | |
 | Southland Golf |
| 2015 Best Golf Course | |
 | Golf Range Association of America |
| Top 50 Public Ranges | |
 | Golf Digest |
| 2013 Best Places to Play | |
 | GolfWorld Reader's Choice |
| 2010 Top 50 Public Courses | |
 | CV Weekly |
| 2014 Best Public Golf Course | |
 | Desert Sun |
| 2016 Best Public Course | |
| Desert Golf Magazine | |
| 2014 Best Public Golf Courses in the Coachella Valley | |
| Desert Golf Guide | |
| 2013 Top 100 Holes | |
| Golf for Women Magazine | |
| 2005 50 Best Courses for Women | |
| Fairways and Greens | |
| 2005 Best Par 5 in the Valley | |
| Palm Springs Life | |
| 2006 Best Public Course |
in the media
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Smithsonian Magazine "Golf Gets Back to Nature, Inviting Everyone to Play" Jay Stuller | April 1, 1997 April of 1997, Desert Willow Golf Resort graced the cover of Smithsonian Magazine (the only golf course to be so honored). "...architect Michael Hurdzan created a public course that's every bit a part of its desert enviroment by using plants native to the desert valley and limiting the grassy areas to a scant 75 to 80 acres." CLICK HERE to read the full article |
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Golf Digest "The golf trips we’re dreaming about taking this winter" Jared Goldstein and Stephen Hennessey | November 6, 2021 "Public golfers should absolutely consider Desert Willow, which has 36 holes, and its Firecliff course ranking among Golf Digest’s best 30 public courses in California." CLICK HERE to read the full article |
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Golf Digest "How golf is doing more to protect wildlife than ever before" Emma Francois | December 10, 2021 “There was nothing but mesquite, a few rabbits, few snakes,” he says. “Nothing appreciable because nothing wanted to live there.” Once his firm revegetated the area, it burst alive with hummingbirds, rabbits, coyotes and reptiles, none of which could have survived before. “By adding a golf course,” he says, “we made it extraordinarily rich.” - Dr. Michael Hurdzan - CLICK HERE to read the full article |
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FORE Magazine "Desert Delight At Desert Willow" Ken Van Vechten | 19th Hole - Summer 2021
"Sit a spell with a bite and a drink, whether you played 18, all 36, or have never snap-hooked a driver in your life....This ain’t granddad’s muni." CLICK HERE to read the full article |
