Happy New Year 2017 my fellow golfers. Over the next month of January, Myra and I are going to introduce you to and review over 20 different golf courses in and around the greater Palm Springs. Enjoy keeping track of our progress and the various highlights of our winter getaway.
Day 1 – Cimarron Golf Cub
www.cimarrongolf.com Phone 760 770 6060
Under overcast skies and an adequate temperature of 14C (57F) we began Day 1 with a warm greeting from General Manager Katie Myers and Stiles Peterson, Pro Shop Manager, at Cimarron Golf Resort.
Joining Myra and me was her golf buddy Murielle and husband Ken also from our hometown of Qualicum Beach, BC. As they had played here before, the only advice they really had to give us was where the green was situated on the longer holes. This links style layout was just what the doctor ordered in advance of the golf marathon we were just beginning. It possessed ultra wide fairways and relatively flat receptive greens that were not stimped to the crazy speeds that you often encounter nowadays. There was an abundance of strategically placed bunkers, but they were not penal, although some off the green side ones were fairly deep and tricky to get out of. The bunker sand was a beautiful off white silica that allowed the club to slide under and through easily.
The unique circular practice putting green
The over seeded fairways were more than adequate to hit any club airborne from, proof in that was the driver I hit off the rug about 255 yards on the Par 5 3rd hole and countless hybrids from Myra as well.
Hitting from the tee boxes was a real treat. By cutting the perimeter of each tee box in straight parallel lines resembling rectangles you were lined up directly down the fairway with little or no effort. The tee markers were easily identifiable, brightly painted colored square little boulders representative of the courses name, Boulder.
As is often the case when playing that first of many rounds after a reasonable lay off, which in our case was about a month without golfing, things didn’t go well especially for me from the beginning.
The Par 4 opening hole
The starter, Dave informed us to be careful off the tee especially for longer hitters like myself to avoid “the wash” hidden over a rise some 250 yards out. I assumed it was a grassy gully where flood waters might flow through the course. Indeed it was a gully, but “the wash” was actually a totally sandy, mucky unkempt part of the desert landscape which was also visited by Myra and Murielle on hole 1.
The Par 3 9th – Myra and Murielle poised to par.
All four of us struggled a little initially, but with the sun now popping out as we made the turn the temperature climbed another 4 degrees C up to 18C (65F) our drives were longer off the tee, iron shot more crisp and chips and putts nestled closer to the hole than on the opening nine.
View of the elevated 15th green
By the time we made it to the signature hole, the Par 3 17th the timing was perfect for us to challenge the green protected on 3 sides by water. Also at stake was a pocket full of money. For an extra $3 you could pay for a chance at winning $2,000 at the pro shop when checking in and that’s exactly what we did, paying the very bubbly Danielle our 3 bucks and also receiving a logoed ball as well.
Using my ball as a target Ken flights one onto the green
There would be no high fiving on the tee after we had hit our shots and the money was safe for now. You see it was a hole in one that was required to win the King’s ransom and sadly making a 30 foot downhiller for birdie as I did didn’t result in a monetary gain what so ever. It did however just feel great and Ken almost made it back to back birds lipping out from an equal distance.
The last hole may have been the most rewarding a long straight Par 5 which required 3 well placed shots to challenge for par, which I managed actually.
Myra finishing up on the fantastic Par 5 18th hole
With its ample grass teed driving range, beautiful greens and tee boxes, very fair and rewarding layout and as well as a beautiful sprawling clubhouse with a spotless amply stocked pro shop, Cimarron Golf Resort checks all the boxes. Whether it’s your first round in greater Palm Springs, 18 holes mid vacation or the wrap up to your stay we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
