General Resident Rate Suggestions:

• Raise resident rate to higher flat rate – $85 suggested (Repeat Idea)
• Hold times for Residents - one time per hour in peak season (November – April) (Repeat Idea)
• Lottery for tee times (New Idea)

Champions Club Suggestions:

• Raise weekly rate from $52 to cover opportunity cost of more access: $75 - $85 rate discussed (Repeat Idea)
  • Offer last minute access for open Champions Club spots for waitlist at higher rate - $85 discussed (New Idea)
• Increase number of memberships available - (Repeat Idea)
• In regards to membership sale:
  • Sale should be a lottery system – everyone who wants a chance at membership is entered into a drawing (Repeat Idea)
    • New take – Lottery should not be weighted – two-week period for guests to enter drawing.
  • Frustration with last year’s sale was communicated by several attendees.

Platinum Club Suggestions:

• Hold Platinum Card sale for PD Residents before Non-residents, ensuring access to Platinum Card (New Idea)
• Increase cost of Platinum Card (Repeat Idea)

General Thought Shared During Discussion:

• Have been forced to play other local clubs all year (Repeat comment)
• Have decided to join Marriott Desert Springs membership and never have any issues getting tee times (Repeat comment)
• Raise top end price (Repeat comment)
• Raise group prices (Repeat comment)
• Open restaurant later in peak season – Dinner access or longer bar hours (New comment)
• Discussion on parks vs. Desert Willow – parks aren’t generating revenue so why is focus on DWGR to raise or generate revenue.
  • Residents from nearby communities utilize PD Parks but no revenue generated. 

General Resident Rate Suggestions:

• Raise resident rate to higher flat rate – $60 and $90 suggested (Repeat Idea)
• Revamp resident program with a much higher rate (no rate suggested) (Repeat Idea)
  • Stressed accessibility to the course vs. a bargain rate you can’t get a tee time anyway
• Increase booking to 14 days (stressed access as the biggest complaint) (Repeat Idea)
• Redefine Resident Card application process – don’t enforce trip to DMV for a State ID card (New Idea)
• Make COMP rounds available to PD Residents (New Idea)
• Make one course Semi-Private for Residents (New Idea)

Champions Club Suggestions:

• City should increase size of club and memberships available due to small impact to total Green Fee Revenue  (Repeat Idea)
• Increase number of memberships available - (Repeat Idea)
• Times don’t have to be peak times – they could start later (New Idea)
• In regards to membership sale:
  • Sale should be a lottery system – everyone who wants a chance at membership is entered into a drawing (Repeat Idea)
  • Why does the city offer Champions Club at all? It restricts access for other residents - (Repeat comment)

Platinum Club Suggestions:

• Limit number of Platinum Card guests (New Idea)
• Increase cost of Platinum Card (Repeat Idea)

General Thought Shared During Discussion:

• We should rethink over seeding times due to business levels over Thanksgiving (New comment)
• City should sell Desert Willow to the Residents (New comment)

Click here to view the presentation slides from the meeting

• Access is the issue.  Cannot get on with resident card.
• Member has no issue paying more than $52 per round.
• Daily fee courses increase rates 30%, peak at DW is $260…Rating services show Firecliff at #1 and MV at #6/7 we should do the same.
• Dec-Apr charge resident golfers $70-75….gentleman belongs to classic club and pays $85.
• Cannot get on greens before 3:40 daily.
• How far out are groups booking and what are they paying?
• Willing to pay double just to get better access.
• Kemper sports management agreement is favorable to community.  Profit motive has been removed from their contract.
• Are changes to platinum card in play – yes.
• Can we allocate tee times for residents?
• Firecliff will shutdown next summer for renovation, which will further complicate issue.
• Joining Champions Club - do two sessions (alternating weeks).
• What is the break-even point on price for residents to keep DW with positive NOI/remain revenue neutral? 
• PD Resident card holders feel they’re not being respected by council.  And they have homes here & cannot get on the course.
• Raise group rates to makeup difference (outings) - ADR for outings is $175 in season.  Maxed out at 20%. Their rates have been increased over time.
• DW is catalyst to increase prices for all valley golf courses.
• Have a percentage of tee times set aside for residents.  Have residents pay more and allocate percentage of rounds.
• Limit resident slots to 2 vs. 4.
• Resident suggested they may be willing to pay up to $100, if better access provided.
• Give residents an even footing with other programs as far as lead times on booking.
• 60-day window opens up for hotel partners and public rack play. Currently only 7% of business comes from Westin.
• DW staff really try to make things work.
• Council does not want to harm country clubs, resident agrees.
• JW/Shadow Ridge are not considered a "local country club."
• How is the council leaning---they're not.  They're fully in support of these meetings.
• Thanked staff (City/DW) for providing ability to have these meetings.

From 3/20/23 Meeting:

• What portion of tee times are residents? Seven to ten percent.
• The membership revenue is included in the opportunity cost of Champions Club
• Suggestion of resident limited to two vs. four…. offended and would like to keep it at four.
• How many are singles; can we have two go out vs. going with people they know?
• Tee times: hold on resident booking one foursome per hour during the key season, for residents only at 12:00 p.m. booking window within three days.
• Firecliff closed from June 1 - Nov 1, 2024 (green expansion and tee renovations) take down 4" of current turf and expand to original size.
• Average rate is just golf. 
• Love the course. "Not a muni course". Silver Rock reserves 30% of tee times for residents. How can La Quinta afford to do it? The 30% is secured primarily outside of peak season.
• Economic Development impact of Desert Willow? Is the amenity driving people into hotels?
• Extrapolate data on the difference between pre and post-Desert Willow.
• Key factor is access to the course. Continuously unable to access Desert Willow.
• Impact lack of access
• Platinum card purchase - if kept, go on sale for residents first during the first 24 hours, then outside the city.
• Course correction - to those who push Palm Desert for the golf course. The opportunity residents have to play the course does not match access.
• Does the clubhouse make money - yes, but not exceptional.
• “Thanks, Todd, for doing the meetings, and appreciates the opportunity to discuss directly. Staffing has been a big challenge. Average cost per round. - Weekenders don't care what they pay for golf. They'll do anything to golf. Evaluate top end.” Agrees resident rate must go up. Any revenue from the park. What kind of programs can we create to take on the new resident homes? Looking at non-resident rounds as well. Filet Mignon is .52/lb. but there is no steak available.
• Staying at Westin, they get a special rate. They have negotiated a discount.
• Retreat also has a platinum card. We are having the same discussion with the Retreat members.
• Would like to see the restaurant open in the evening until sunset.
• Closed at 3:00 p.m. at Cooks Grill. Staff is moved inside, so restaurants can be fully staffed.
• Offering that a lottery be created and not sure if it would work.
• Parks – noncontrolled, so others come in and use the facilities.
• Champions Club - involved for 20 years but unable to this year. Only 64 were permitted this year. There were open spots and last year they were full. The fees were refunded. No consequences if no shows. Increase in Champions Members and weighted lottery based on loyalty and participation.
• Loves Champions Club - well run. No-shows should be accountable. Willing to pay up to $75/tee time. And willing to pay more for the resident rate.
• Group play question-asked about tee time rates for groups. They book the furthest out. One of the highest paying market segments. Still studying if growth has met the demand for non-resident fees.
• Cancellation rate and policy? 48hr cancellation - could be at booking. Been lenient and can improve it.
• Champions Club - once a week on Wed mornings has tee times for organized play and is extremely popular. 
• Snowbird - surprised that everything was booked. No opportunity to play.
• Pay more to expand the club and for residents’ access.
• Differentiate CC vs. Public Access GC - we are building a golf course experience for a day. Implement a semiprivate idea, which we are not willing to do…but DW was never set up to provide a country club lifestyle for all residents.
• Small group of folks have gotten very nasty and did not move the needle.
• Platinum Club to residents only first idea is seconded and increase the price for non-residents.
• Platinum Club card has never been able to use, but not during the off-season. Unable to get on course during the season. So, on access with resident card or platinum during the season. Snowbirds use Champions Club to gain access. Saving a tee time during the day for residents and willing to pay an increased resident fee for better access. Increase cost for Champions Club. 
• Platinum Card was created to have a loyalty program for those who come and return annually.
• Fiscal structure vs. programmatic issues - year-round residents don't mind paying more if they can get better access.
• Next steps: one more meeting Wednesday. Then work on recommendations to Pres Club, then the first meeting in April on Study session. Then ask them to make a decision at the second meeting in April.
• No Show is very limited. Most are backfilled.
• Goal - "one day experience." Drastically expand champions club. 1/week.
• Every Friday is secured for residents in Vancouver. 
• Selling memberships in Champions Club - totally understand the frustration. Looking at how to make it fair to all.
• A & B club would provide access every other week.
• Open slot in the current champions club that allows residents to step in. How many is the right number for total sales in champions club? Why isn't there a list somewhere? So, 64 were sold, so 52 can play. Pick-up game list to fill up empty spots. Or make those who don't show pay.
• Create a waiting list on the top of 64 that participate. The secondary group with a $70 round vs. the $52.
• 64-72 eligible to play. If you call on Tuesday and tell him it’s a higher rate, then will jump on it ($85).
• F&B marketing issue that could be improved to increase revenue. In season stay open later to watch the sunset. Restaurants are full during peak anyway.
• How many tee times are taken away by Champions Club - 52 players every Wednesday AM.

From the 3/22/23 Meeting:

• The contract had a provision relative to positive cash flow that has been removed. We’ve structured it differently but provided a loan that must be repaid.
• Officials at Indian wells, restaurants compared and huge difference. Indian Wells is open late. Clubhouse overhead is extensive. A subsidy is only $700 but based on meeting with them today for $2M.
• Benefit of the residents – if you want to request subsidized golf from Council that is a policy question.
• Are we considering extending Champions Club to 72? Staff recommended 72 guests.
• Raise resident rates to $60 to balance the budget. Why are we down to one course during November? Tax homeowners and ballot to provide support.
• Appreciates that it is not a park, needs to stand alone. Encouraging staff to increase the price. Has given up trying to get on at $52. All golf has increased, just wants to engage with Desert Willow for less than $200.
• Changing access is what is necessary to make things work.
• Champions Club loss of funds is insignificant. With out-of-state players, we should recover costs from them. Pick of the litter course in CV.
• Make one course semiprivate…DOA from a Council perspective.
• How many rounds a year are comped – 2000 for PDHS/COD receive a third. Some employees, but outside of customer play. Charitable donations for the community to use and sold at auctions and play after 11:00 a.m.
• As a golfer, it is one of the recreational opportunities in PD. Golf is a recreation like all other events. Does not appreciate the council’s position on golfers vs. other recreation uses (i.e., aquatic facility).
• Comp rounds for residents – within champions club to give residents an opportunity same as those being comped.
• Cost to join champions? How many? And why? 32 weekly events, $299 and gives access to the league. Is it a redundancy since it takes slots from residents? The staff is top-notch, great course, and great views…. just want access with cost w/in reason. 21 days out is not possible to access.
• Not looking for the bargain, just wants access at a reasonable cost. Calls this his home course when here in winter. Get them out of going to DMV to gain access to the resident card.
• Walton has a lot of detail he’d like to discuss. Would like to set up a meeting.
• Money lost from members who did not get in is not included. She did not like the sign-up method used for Champions Club and should be redone this year.
• What is the relevance of the champions club – gives residents weekly access to DW.
• Loyalty membership – private club benefits.
• Split membership into two days.
• Augusta has a loyalty priority for Champions Club. Use priority as a selection.
• Standby membership to help champions club.
• 3 forms of charity rounds – include as cost of doing business: a subsidy to golfers.
• Why does the city want this to be a stand-alone?
• Revamp resident program: higher rate to support dollars and allow better access.
• City sells many resident cards. Why isn’t that revenue considered here. Those funds are kept by DRD.
• Why keep a losing asset if residents cannot gain access?
• Some courses going to a hybrid seed – some are not reseeding roughs. Firecliff is looking to go to same grass as Lakes. Let them do it first, and then see how it works. Testing different versions of ryegrass.
• All the times that residents don’t play here, they are playing in other cities. They’re taking their money elsewhere and being lost in PD.
• Would Council move away from a 3-day limit on residents? Going away from it would not be a welcomed change.
• If we chose to do a loyalty-based selection on Champions Club, make it a ratio of old vs. new members so as not to exclude anyone. So, if we have 80 slots, make 60 (long-time members) and 20 (new members). Then sign up 90-100 and provide play to 60 players that are set each week, with the other 12 slots filled through a raffle. Then those 12 automatically are set for the following week, and the rest of the 80 are raffled…or some version of that concept.