By Vinnie Manginelli, PGA
BIGHORN was originally established by the Westinghouse Corporation in the early 1990s and was purchased by R.D. Hubbard and a group of member investors in 1996. Under Hubbard’s leadership, BIGHORN developed into the exclusive private golf community it is today. Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains in Palm Desert, California, BIGHORN offers breathtaking views, world-class amenities and an unparalleled luxury lifestyle.
Developed with a vision of providing an elite golf and residential experience, attracting top-tier members from across the country, BIGHORN Golf Club has become one of the premier golf clubs in the United States and recently earned its 10th Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) Top 50 Private Facility Award.
BIGHORN features two championship-level golf courses, including the Mountains Course that was designed by Arthur Hills, and the Canyons Course, a more modern Tom Fazio creation with spectacular views of the Coachella Valley.
Dale Abraham is the PGA of America Director of Golf Instruction and is a GRAA Elite Growth of the Game Teaching Professional. Abraham, a two-time PGA Section Teacher of the Year (2008 in the Southern California PGA Section and 2013 in the Southwest PGA Section) has been at BIGHORN for 10 years and teaches at Cape Arundel Golf Club in Kennebunkport, Maine during the summer golf season.
BIGHORN boasts the unique benefit of two double-sided practice ranges (one at each course). Greens are provided for chipping, pitching, bunker practice and putting at the Mountains Course and a short game area is available at the Canyons Course that allows golfers to hit 80-yard pitch shots to the practice wedge green.
There is a third practice area on the property that offers putting and short game practice opportunities with stunning creek and waterfall views and a relaxed vibe that is perfect for a lengthy practice session or a quick warmup before a round.
“The Canyons Course side of the property houses our single-bay indoor/outdoor Learning Center,” Abraham says. “We recently refurbished some of this teaching space with upgraded flooring that supports newly-installed Swing Catalyst dual motion force plates. In fact, where most of the building did not need to be touched, we’ve implemented a slew of new technology. In addition to the Swing Catalyst, we have Trackman, Full Swing launch monitors and two 4-camera systems.”
The BIGHORN Learning Center also has SAM PuttLab to provide Tour-level putting coaching and fitting services. Although Abraham predominately uses Trackman in his coaching and fitting in the Learning Center and out on the range, the Full Swing devices are available to members for their personal use on the range to get their own numbers and practice more efficiently.
“I’ll also do a lot of coaching on the course,” Abraham says. “With 36 holes, I’m able to take students on the course to present my instruction from an on-field point of view. Add to that our various short game areas, and our students are treated to a full menu of golf instruction, whether they are beginners or seasoned players. It depends where each individual student will benefit the most.”
When fitting golfers, Abraham’s toolbox is as deep as his expertise. With components and demos from Callaway, Cobra, Mizuno, Ping, TaylorMade, Titleist and XXIO, Abraham ensures that his students are playing properly fit equipment to supplement their increased skills.
Keeping in line with this comprehensive approach to player development and game improvement, BIGHORN has the kind of unmatched spa and wellness center that you’d expect BIGHORN to have – pool, tennis, pickleball, a high performance gym, luxury spa and a array of classes and group sessions that include but are not limited to TRX, yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi.
“We coordinate with our fitness trainers who are certified in a variety of physicalities and expertise,” Abraham adds. “I’ll send our trainers videos of my students’ swings to put a well-rounded plan together that will enable golfers to reach heights they thought were unattainable.”
BIGHORN also has a private marketplace, Starbucks coffee bar and internet cafe and catering to the meet the needs of residents. It hosts exclusive social events and provides concierge services to enhance the lifestyle experience.
BIGHORN is home to an elite membership, including business leaders, celebrities and professional athletes. Membership is by invitation-only to maintain BIGHORN’s reputation for exclusivity and privacy. Residents of the community enjoy stunning custom estates and contemporary villas, each designed to complement the natural beauty of the desert surroundings.
Situated in Palm Desert, BIGHORN is just minutes from upscale shopping, dining and entertainment in El Paseo. Its prime location offers easy access to Palm Springs International Airport, making it a convenient retreat for seasonal and full-time residents. This blend of championship golf, world-class amenities and a prestigious membership makes BIGHORN Golf Club one of California’s most sought-after private communities.
As such, BIGHORN boasts a distinguished team of six PGA of America Golf Professionals and other teaching professionals who live up to such high standards and are dedicated to providing exceptional instruction and enhancing the golfing experience for their members. Travis Nelson is BIGHORN’s Director of Golf, Adam Syverson the PGA of America Head Golf Professional, Abraham the PGA of America Director of Instruction, Amy Stubblefield, a PGA of America Teaching Professional, Chad Brenengen, PGA of America First Assistant Professional, Jack Krueger, PGA of America Associate Assistant Professional and finally Bill Madonna, Junior Golf Director.
This highly-skilled professional staff offers a comprehensive range of services, including personalized lessons, group instruction, clinics, tournament administration, state-of-the-art club fitting and access to the advanced training facilities discussed earlier. All of these factors help BIGHORN members achieve their goals in golf, while enjoying one of the premier golf clubs and lifestyle communities in the country.
Finally, Abraham spoke proudly of BIGHORN’s philanthropic endeavors. In fact, he said that being a BIGHORN member means being active in the community and in philanthropy.
“BIGHORN Cares funds specific projects by local non-profit organizations which demonstrate a need and are making a real difference in the community,” he explained. “It is supported by member contributions, 100 percent of which are passed through to qualified local non-profits. Each year dozens of them receive grants – from educational outreach, afterschool services, maternity aid, disability assistance, shelter relief, foster care, health screenings and military programs. BIGHORN Cares has gifted over $6.2 million through 653 grants to qualified non-profits, funding serious projects that significantly impact the quality of life for the people they serve.”
“BIGHORN BAM has successfully raised $13 million for breast cancer equipment and transportation services at Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center, as well as financial support services through The Pendleton Foundation. Donations are received through a series of fundraisers held throughout the year. And the BIGHORN Scholarship Program has gifted over 570 community college, four-year University and Graduate scholarships.”
For more information on everything BIGHORN, including its five-star cuisine, family-first philosophy and its properties, log on to its website today!
