NORTHBROOK, Ill. – KemperSports is pleased to announce that it has extended its partnership with the City of Palm Desert to continue managing Desert Willow Golf Resort. The 36-hole public golf facility is one of 13 properties under KemperSports management in California and joins nine other award-winning premier golf destinations in the company’s portfolio.
“Our partnership with the City of Palm Desert is very special. We were involved in the original development of the spectacular resort and have enjoyed working with the City to make Desert Willow a premier golf resort in the Coachella Valley and one of the best in the country,” said KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner. “We are also proud of the longstanding impact we have been able to make on the local community.”
“The City of Palm Desert considers Desert Willow a valued asset for residents and visitors alike,” said Palm Desert Mayor Jan Harnik. “After an open and competitive search, KemperSports was selected to continue its partnership with the City, maintaining Desert Willow Golf Resort as a nationally recognized municipal golf course.”
KemperSports’ partnership with the City of Palm Desert to manage Desert Willow Golf Resort dates back more than 25 years. The company was first tasked to oversee the grow-in of the Firecliff and Mountain View courses and manage the day-to-day operations of both courses starting in 1997. Since that time, Desert Willow has earned the reputation as one of the best public golf destinations both in California and nationally by industry leading publications and organizations.
Recent awards include the following:
- Golfweek 2022: Best 200 Resort Courses (Firecliff – #134), Best Courses You Can Play: California (Firecliff – #19)
- GolfPass Golfers’ Choice 2022: Top 50 U.S. Courses (Firecliff – #24), Top 25 Golf Course Layouts (Firecliff – #13), Top 25 Courses for Off-Course Amenities (#22), Best of California (Firecliff – #2, Mountain View – #22)
- 2021 Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) Top 50 Public Facility
In addition, Desert Willow has been widely recognized for creating a best-in-class customer experience to be enjoyed by residents and guests of Palm Desert. Last year, Desert Willow scored in the 99th percentile nationally and the 97th percentile for premium golf facilities through the National Golf Foundation’s annual customer insights survey. Throughout the 25-year partnership with the City of Palm Desert, Desert Willow has consistently generated Net Promoter Scores that have met or exceeded the “World Class” benchmark across a variety of different industries, including hospitality.
KemperSports has delivered premier course conditions for Desert Willow guests that has resulted in record rounds and revenue in partnership with the City. In 2009, the city initiated a renovation project for the Mountain View Course that enhanced the greens, bunkers and lake edges, which was followed by a successful bunker renovation and reduction project at the Firecliff Course in 2016.
Desert Willow has also long been committed to serving its local community. In addition to delivering dedicated programming and providing access to its collection of first-class amenities to Palm Desert residents, the facility has hosted “The Shoopy Scramble,” a homegrown event created by long-time KemperSports staffer, Assistant Golf Professional and survivor of malignant melanoma Brett Shoopman, since 2013. To date, the event has raised over $200,000 for the nearby Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center. Desert Willow has also led significant fundraising efforts to support Folds of Honor, raising nearly $70,000 over the past five years.
For more information on Desert Willow Golf Resort, visit www.desertwillow.com.
About KemperSports
KemperSports is a privately held sports, entertainment and hospitality company with headquarters in Northbrook, Illinois, and regional offices throughout the U.S. The company manages more than 120 golf courses, private clubs, sports and event facilities and destination resorts nationwide. For more information about KemperSports, visit www.kempersports.com.
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About Desert Willow Golf Resort
Desert Willow Golf Resort has emerged as the favorite place to play in the Palm Springs/Coachella Valley area. Desert Willow is a premium public facility and offers two championship Southern California golf courses designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry. Desert Willow also features a magnificent clubhouse, immaculate event venues, personalized service and spectacular desert mountain views.