History

Located in the heart of the Coachella Valley surrounded by the Santa Rosa Mountains in the San Jacinto Range, the Shadow Mountain Golf Club was incorporated on January 20, 1958.

Palm Desert was still in its infancy having been born a mere 12 years before, the result of the imagination of developer Clifford W. Henderson the "Father of Palm Desert." He and his associates Leonard Firestone, Edgar Bergen and Harold Lloyd had purchased 620 acres of waterless desert land in 1946.

By 1958, the small community had expanded and boasted such pioneers as Ed Mullins' Pharmacy, Edith Morre's Fashions, Keedy's Fountain Grill, a U.S. Post Office and the Shadow Mountain Club which was a planned community catering to lovers of the desert including celebrities of the era with a full program of activities for all ages.

In 1958, the members purchased the Shadow Mountain Club from the Palm Desert Corporation owned by Clifford W. Henderson for approximately $ 570,000.00.

The legendary golfer Gene Sarazen, assisted by George Von Ells, was the architect of the proposed course. Summarizing the layout of the development he stated: "The new modern course of this type is shorter than most but is not easier to play. It will give the golfer who uses his brains a chance against the competitor who has hit power and I think it will be one of the sportiest and most challenging courses in the entire area."

Collaborating with architect George Von Ells, his vision was completed in 1958 with the opening of the Shadow Mountain Golf Club.

The Squire, as he was known because of his penchant for his dapper dressing, which included knickers, a cardigan sweater and the ever-present two-tone wing tipped shoes, became a legend in his own time. He was the first to accomplish the Professional Grand Slam with the U.S. Open in 1922, the PGA in 1923, the British Open in 1932, and then the Masters. At age 33, he became the first player to win all four majors. Only Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods have matched this record.

The major topic for consideration for the next several years for the Presidents and Board of Directors was whether the Shadow Mountain Country Club and the Shadow Mountain Golf Club should function as separate entities or continue on as a dual association. The problem was finally resolved in October of 1968 during the presidency of George Browning when the Shadow Mountain Golf Club purchased certain assets of the Shadow Mountain Country Club for approximately $270,000.00 which included a club house, 6 acres of land with free access to Ironwood Street.

Through the ensuing years the club has purchased parcels around the course and gone through several remodels of the clubhouse and seen the entire desert area explode around it. The current 7 acre layout still embodies the vision that Gene Sarazen had those many years ago.