Thunderbird Country Club in Rancho Mirage: Remembering a classic era when desert golf was born
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. -- Ben Hogan once said golf in the California desert would never work.
Man, was he wrong. Today there are more than 100 golf courses in the Palm Springs area.
Thunderbird Country Club, an instant celebrity haven, was the first 18-hole golf course in the Coachella Valley and it has a history that is mind-boggling. When the golf course opened on Jan. 9, 1951, it made instantaneous unforgettable tracks in what would become one of the world's premier golf locations.
Author Robert Windeler chronicles it all his 2001 book Thunderbird Country Club, 50th Anniversary History. If you love the history of golf, this is a book you must have. Here are just a few of the astounding facts Windeler chronicles about Thunderbird:
-- Hollywood celebrities flocked here to become part of this golf community. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, at the pinnacle of their I Love Lucy popularity, lived in a house facing the ninth and 18th fairways. Bing Crosby was club champion in 1958. Former presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford all graced its fairways.
-- The electric golf cart was invented for members of Thunderbird Country Club. And thus, cart paths, came to be.
-- The Ford Motor Company liked the Thunderbird logo so much it decided to adopt the name and logo for its new sports car in 1954. Ford's chairman Ernest Breech was a member and John and Velma Dawson received shipment of the very first Thunderbird convertible.
-- In an almost unprecedented move, the 1955 Ryder Cup Matches were held at Thunderbird, despite the immaturity of the golf course. The Club was only four years old and the location was considered "remote".
-- In 1955 the Thunderbird Invitational Tournament claimed the most prestigious entertainment committee in the USA. Phil Harris, Desi Arnaz, Hoagy Carmichael, Dean Martin, Gordon MacRae and Perry Como made up the group.
-- Thunderbird was also the birthplace of what would eventually become the Bob Hope Desert Classic. Arnold Palmer won the first tournament in 1959. Claude Harmon, father of master instructor Butch Harmon, became head pro that same year.
-- Ken Venturi, after serving his country in the U.S. Army until 1955, returned home to California thinking his golf game was a bit rusty. A friend, Eddie Lowery, asked Byron Nelson to come to Thunderbird and resurrect Venturi's game. Nelson spent 10 days working with Venturi and in 1958 he won the Thunderbird Invitational.
How's that for history?
Thunderbird C.C.'s acreage actually got its start as a dude ranch on 750 acres in 1945, an idea envisioned by developer Frank Bogert. Houses weren't selling, but golfers kept telling him golf might work in the Palm Springs area. When he sold the ranch to Milt Hicks and Dawson, heralded even by Bobby Jones as one of America's best amateur golfers, things started to boom for Thunderbird.
Crosby and Hope were the first to buy homes in 1951 and within a year all the lots were sold. Lucy and Desi followed as did former President Ford years later. It was the beginning of the California Golf Rush. Phil Harris and Alice Faye, Hoagy Carmichael, Gordon MacRae, Ruby Keeler, Dean Martin, Billie Dove, Esther Williams, Randolph Scott and Mary Pickford all had homes here.
The traditional golf course was designed by Lawrence Hughes, whose father Henry T. Hughes studied under legendary architect Donald Ross. As a teen-ager he helped Ross build The Broadmoor East Course in Colorado Springs and brother Henry B. Hughes went on to build a myriad of Colorado layouts.
When the Ryder Cup came to Thunderbird in November of 1955 everyone knew the course was too short at 6,600 yards to challenge the world's best players. Holes were stretched out as much as possible; fairways were narrowed; and taller rough grown. Sam Snead lead the Americans to an 8-4 win, the seventh straight Ryder Cup title for the USA. Tommy Bolt, Lloyd Mangrum, Jerry Barber, Jack Burke Jr., Doug Ford, Marty Furgol, Chandler Harper, Ted Kroll and Cary Middlecoff were also on the team captained by Chick Harbert.
The golf cart inventor was Eddie Susalla, assistant pro, who got the idea from seeing a handicapped man in Long Beach wheeling along side walks on a gas-powered cart called an Autoette. His first version of the cart seated two and had "wings" on the sides to hold the golf bags. At the time Thunderbird only allowed those with a doctor's permit to use the cart and caddies predominated the play. But once the members saw the first golf cart everyone wanted one. Eventually the rule was changed, but forecaddies were required for each foursome.
A devastating rainstorm destroyed much of the golf course in 1979 and veteran desert architect Ted Robinson was called in to rebuild. The historic layout re-opened in 1980 with former President Ford, a Thunderbird resident for more than 25 year, presiding over the festivities.
Eventually, Bogert turned to politics and became a long-time mayor of Palm Springs. And he developed three other golf courses -- Eldorado, Seven Lakes and Marakesh. He was a pioneer in promoting the Coachella Valley as America's golf mecca.
A reminder, Thunderbird Country Club is a private club. It is not open to the public.
July 11, 2004
David R. Holland, Senior Writer
David R. Holland is an award-winning former sportswriter for The Dallas Morning News, football magazine publisher, and author of The Colorado Golf Bible. Before launching a career as a travel/golf writer, he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force reserve, serving during the Vietnam and Desert Storm eras. Follow Dave on Twitter here.
Robert Smith wrote on: Dec 28, 2011
Does anyone have any memories that they would like to share about Linn (L.D.) Johnson, who was one of the original incorporators of the Thunderbird (and later, the Indian Wells)? Linn was my great Uncle. Many thanks in advance! Robert Smith (San Francisco, CA) - timepuzzle@earthlink.net.
Reply
Mike Arnold wrote on: Dec 2, 2010
Great article! It brought back wonderful memories of playing golf with my grandfather Wendell Arnold. My first and last time I played the course was Thanksgiving weekend 1983 my senior year in high school. I hooked and hit Ford's home, he came out with his secret service agents to great me and my cousins who made up the rest of our foursome. He even took the time to shake our hands and make some small talk about the game he loved so much. To this day it is one of the best days of my life...
I can't recall anymore which hole Ford lived on... Do you know and could you be so kind to reply back to my email with that long forgotten info. I would be most appreciative.
Mike Arnold
Reply
Steven V. Hatting wrote on: Nov 29, 2007
Who is the man leaning over with the cap between Phil Harris and Bing Crosby? Anybody know?
He is in a few pictures of foursomes I have that were taken at Thunderbird.
Reply
Steven V. Hatting wrote on: Nov 29, 2007
Just looked through a 1955 Thunderbird magazine and the pictures and it looks like it may be Bob Roseburg.
Reply
robert camacho wrote on: Oct 4, 2010
Hi,
In 1950 my family and I lived in a house just a few feet from what is the
17th green.My brother Tom and I would
hit golf balls in the desert which is now
the 11Th and 15th fairway
Frank Bogart was the manager of the
Thuderbird Ranch. Call me for more
history. (480)814-1407
Reply
Andrew Eaton wrote on: May 18, 2005
I have a trophy that my grandfather, Melvin C. Eaton won in 1958 at Thunderbird Country Club. I believe that he was the mens club runner up that year. My grandfather and grandmother, Ethel, were members of Thunderbird for many years. I also have a picture of my grandfather playing golf with Presidents Eisenhower and Johnson at Thunderbird.
Reply
Paul R. Eaton wrote on: Nov 23, 2005
Yes, Drew...good memory. I have the Silver cig case from the '59 Thunderbird CC Invitational won/presented to MC Eaton.
Reply
helene newell wrote on: Feb 25, 2005
hi, i lived at thunderbird with my aunt and uncle from 1957 to 61. mr and mrs maynard laswell. they were some of the first members. the home on the first fairway. mrs bonnie testa was next door.the j. ross clarkes were friends, my cousin hung out with their daughter. i hung out with alice fayes daughter phyllis. uncle golfed with all the pros. and was friends with kirk douglas and desi arnez. i have photos of them together. many memories for me. i did modeling for some charities back then. now i'm a old lady. i had letters from phyllis, always she would say "mom sends her love' the letters i cannot find, wish i saved them. thought i would share some of the memories, although i have many more, to much to write, and personal to share. helene
Reply
pat hurtuk wrote on: Jul 4, 2011
i just came upon this site!!!My dad's brother was edgar schill. i do not know much of him, lived in michigan. i do not know if his wife dead. He died in 1980. they had 2 children, but all i remember is Steve Schill. but only met him when he was a child. i would like to connect with him.
Reply
Vicki (Testa) Miceli wrote on: Jan 6, 2007
Helene, I'm Bonnie Testa's daughter and
grew up at Thunderbird. My younger sister Bonny and I along with Jay and John Ross Clark and other member's children were frequently in the fashion shows put on by the club to show off the latest Christmas and Easter holiday fashions. I have many great memories of the Easter egg hunts and finding the golden Thunderbird egg hidden among hundreds of brightly colored eggs and winning a six foot high stuffed toy rabbit as the prize. I have seen the Bob Baker Marionette Easter puppet show every year since I was two. There were also great birthday parties given by Lucy and Desi for Lucie and Desi Jr. And one party for Jay Ross Clark ended up with a birthday gift of a surrey with the fringe on top in the swimming pool by a wayward driver. My parents always talked about the wonderful club parties
with Alice Faye and Phil Harris singing
at the piano and how Ginger Rogers cut
the rug dancing the night away. You brought back lots of fun memories.
Reply
Tim Hinkle wrote on: Jul 31, 2011
Bonnie: Is there a Phil Testa who
might've been your brother. Haig Harris
(from the nearby date ranch) and I
used to go see him. He had a hot car__
but I can't remember what it was.
Tim Hinkle
Reply
Steven V. Hatting wrote on: Oct 26, 2007
Hi. I was doing some genealogy work on my grandfather and ran across this.
My mom also lived in Thunderbird with her parents (my grandparents). I'm not sure if it was around the same time as you folks, but I have seen pictures of Phil Harris, Bing Crosby, and Bob Hope golfing that my grandfather had taken.
My grandfather, Harry Weimar, was the one that used to golf with one arm. Anybody know/remember him?
Reply
Tim Hinkle wrote on: Jul 31, 2011
Steve: I remember your grandfather
very well. When my younger sister, Sue,
and I were learning how to play golf at
the Club we used to stand in amazement
how a one-armed man could slam a ball
that far_and putt so well. He was some-
one to definitely look-up-too. We lived
at 40-269 Club View Drive (18thFairway)
right next to Lucy & Desi. Hoagy,Jr.&
Randy Carmichael were around the bend,
and the Harris Girls on Cypress. Great
place to spend a childhood TimHinkle
Reply
Gary McWilliams wrote on: Jul 19, 2004
This has to be the most interesting golf story I've read in a long time. Great stories like this just don't come along very often.
Reply
Danny Peyton wrote on: Jun 30, 2010
I have a PGA thunderbird by burke golf putter from the 51-55 era and I would like to find out more about it.
Reply
pat hurtuk wrote on: Jul 3, 2011
hello, my dad's older brother was Edgar Schill. Any of you remember him. I do not know how many years he was the manager there. Do not know if his wife, millie, still alive. or, of their son, steve. Would like to hear from any who knew my Uncle.
Reply
Tim Hinkle wrote on: Jul 31, 2011
Dear Pat: I remember your uncle very
well. He and Millie were "the face" of
the Club to the current & new members.
They were very "social" and always
together__whether it be having a toot,
dining, attending a party__whatever.
They always dressed-up and were most
friendly to each member or friend of a
Member Family. You couldn't ask for a
better manager of people__and supporter
of the Club in general. Tim Hinkle
Reply
lovell smith wrote on: Dec 31, 2011
I think their daughter Marcy Schill (Till), lives in Fallbrook Ca.
Reply