2024-25 BIGHORN Magazine by BIGHORN Marketing

THE CULINARY ARTISTRY OF

THE CHÂTEAU

THE CHÂTEAU SERIES IS THE CROWN JEWEL OF LA CORNUE

Discover the e ortless elegance

of Roberto Demeglio’s extensible stretch diamond bracelets, represented by Brandon Boswell Diamonds. These timeless designs combine luxury with everyday wear, creating pieces that will be cherished for generations.

THE FAIRWAY

The Long Game

A GOLFER’S PARADISE

At BIGHORN, players revel on 36 immaculate holes with stunning scenery, no tee times, and an ultra-chic Clubhouse to finish the round.

Plus:

• Q&A with the man who cares for the courses

• BIGHORN goes prime time

NO BETTER PLACE

Lee and Claudia Trevino come to BIGHORN as often as possible and never want to leave.

DYNAMIC DESIGN

Guy Dreier and Kristi Hanson have individually defined the aesthetics of BIGHORN homes and amenities since the Club’s inception. They look back — and ahead — with friend and BIGHORN Properties Broker Associate Lorna Ball.

FIVE-STAR CUISINE

An elegant atmosphere, exceptional fare and meticulous, attentive service distinguish the dining experience at BIGHORN.

62 A REMASTERED CANYONS STEAK HOUSE

Luminous and luxurious, the makeover of the popular venue includes a reoriented bar and rich finishes, elevating the already stunning array of amenities.

Plus:

• BIGHORN Wine Club

PARK PLACE

An incomparable Club within a Club, The Vault showcases Members’ collectible vehicles and distinctive social customs.

WHERE WE BELONG

Multigenerational families weave their lives and stories into the fabric of the Club.

THE GREEN

The Big Finish

SEEN AT THE CLUB

Memorable moments from our most recent season.

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT

Families take center stage at BIGHORN, where amenities and events make children and grandchildren feel right at home.

BIGHORN ABROAD

Members take to the high seas for an international travel experience.

THIS IS HOW WE LIVE

Members realize their dreams in residences tailored to their unique lifestyles. BIGHORN MAGAZINE

PUBLISHER Carl Cardinalli

CHAIRMAN John H. Beury III

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Desert Publications Inc.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Brooke Beare

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Steven Biller

MANAGING EDITOR Olga Reyes

PRODUCTION MANAGER Lorinda Owens

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Claudia Vasquez

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ronald Ahrens, Brooke Beare, Steven Biller, June Allan Corrigan, Maggie Downs, Lisa Marie Hart, Tom Mackin, Elina Shatkin, Judd Spicer

ART DIRECTOR Anna Kula

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Gabriella Urrutia

CONTRIBUTING ART DIRECTORS Gracie De La Paz, Chris Saltzman

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ARTISTS Scott Avra, Anthony Barcelo, Channing Benjamin, Dan Chavkin, Stacy Daniel, Mark Davidson, Christina Frary, Stuart Funk, Lance Gerber, Linda Ha, Brandon Harman, Ian Hughes, Ethan Kaminsky, Mollie Kimberling, Romulo Mena, Chris Miller, Marco Moracha, Zyra Raguro, Steven Recinos Media, Shannon Wilsey

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S FINEST

JEWELRY & TIMEPIECE COLLECTION

A. Lange & Söhne

Audemars Piguet

Breitling

Buccellati

Bvlgari

Cartier

Chanel Fine Jewelry

Chopard

David Yurman

Dior

Graff

Gucci

Harry Winston

Hermès

Hublot

IWC

Jaeger-LeCoultre

Patek Philippe

Porsche Design Roger Dubuis

Rolex | Tourneau Bucherer

Tag Heuer

Tiffany & Co.

Tourneau | Bucherer 1888

Tudor | Tourneau Bucherer

Vacheron Constantin Van Cleef & Arpels

Valet Parking · Personal Stylist Program

Gift Cards · Concierge Services

This Is Where We Live

At BIGHORN Golf Club, every moment is extraordinary.

IT IS WITH GREAT pleasure and satisfaction that I welcome you to this new issue of BIGHORN Magazine. After a pause of four years, precipitated by an event affecting all of us, we’re back! And we’re excited to be, once again, sharing in these pages various dimensions of the dynamic lifestyle at BIGHORN that no other club has been able to duplicate.

This edition of BIGHORN Magazine commemorates a new beginning, a dawning of a vibrant expression of BIGHORN renewing and continuing its quest of excellence in facilities and services.

I hope it’s evident to everyone who comes to BIGHORN that we are never satisfied with the status quo. “Standing pat” is not in our DNA. No matter the circumstances, we’re always working tirelessly to be THE BEST club and community anywhere. It’s our mission!

BIGHORN is a work in progress. It always has been. There is no greater, single evidence of the consistency of that statement than tearing down the old Clubhouse and building a new one. The effort and vision to look ahead never stops. Whether it’s refinements and improvements to the golf courses, the addition of pickleball courts, or refurbishing, renovating or building new facilities, improvements to BIGHORN are being made every year — in no small part due to our system of governance.

This summer was no exception. A major improvement, described on page 62, was accomplished in record time: 122 days. Our one-

of-a-kind Canyons Steak House was recreated with an updated contemporary vibe and impeccable ambience. When the Steak House was originally under construction, we were called crazy. When it was completed and Members realized it added to their lifestyle, we were applauded. Now, it’s been completely renewed with a bar lounge commensurate with a great steak house. This is all a part of BIGHORN’s quest to be unique and to be the best! There is no let up, ever. And there is more to come.

This magazine celebrates our pursuit of excellence. Among the stories and images that follow, you’ll have a look inside The Vault; check in with the Corliss family, which has grown considerably since they were first profiled in the magazine 10 years ago; see a legacy manifested in four generations of BIGHORN’s Grinzewitsch family; and hear from two of the most significant and prolific architects and designers whose imaginations and talents helped influenced and shape the distinctive look of the Club and community.

We hope you enjoy this edition of BIGHORN Magazine and the glimpse of the lifestyle available and prevalent for all of BIGHORN’s Members and their families and guests.

LEADERSHIP

Carrying the Torch

Chairman John H. Beury III aims to raise the bar and exceed expectations.

BY BROOKE BEARE

THE JOURNEY TO golf began early in childhood for John H. Beury III, deeply rooted in the traditions of the game, with unique access to greats in the sport. His grandfather, the first John Beury, a longtime member at The Greenbrier in West Virginia, was a close friend of the legendary Sam Snead.

“It would be a fantastic story to say that I got lessons from Sam, but truth be told, I bonded more with his dog than his swing!” Beury recalls with a smile.

Meanwhile, Beury’s father was a top player in the Air Force, competing alongside Orville Moody in the Armed Forces tournaments. Beury’s first job, at age 14, was working in the cart barn at MacDill Air Force Base. “Golf has been my constant companion, and I’ve had the privilege of belonging to many clubs over the years, but nothing compares to BIGHORN.”

Since first stepping onto BIGHORN when the only structure was a simple trailer parked in a rugged desert lot, Beury has witnessed its remarkable transformation. Even in those humble beginnings, he recognized the qualities that would set BIGHORN apart. “I could already sense what was extraordinary about this place,” Beury reflects.

Year after year, Beury visited BIGHORN, often to participate in the pro-am tournament named for the Club’s eminent Chairman, and his uncle, R.D. Hubbard. Beury and his wife, Alex, joined BIGHORN as Golf Members in 2009, purchasing their home soon after. Alex, an accomplished golfer herself, has been Club Champion at every club they’ve belonged to, including BIGHORN at least once. John often turns to her for advice, especially when it concerns the ladies at BIGHORN.

the oil and gas industry began in 1977 with Texaco, and in 1985 he formed his own seismic acquisition company, Paragon Geophysical Services, Inc., a name that embodies the pursuit of excellence. As an industry leader, Paragon sets a high standard for innovation, a philosophy Beury has carried with him to BIGHORN. When asked by Hubbard to succeed him as Chairman of BIGHORN, he humbly accepted, fully embracing the responsibility of carrying out BIGHORN’s legacy.

Beury’s vision for the Club extends far beyond the present. His focus is on projects that look five or 10 years ahead, ensuring that BIGHORN continually exceeds expectations. This year, Members will return to the most tangible example of his dedication: a recreated Canyons Steak House, featuring a new expansive bar, an integrated, expandable private dining room, renovated private wine lockers, and chef-driven upgrades in the kitchen, including a dedicated sushi station.

Under Beury’s leadership, the Club has retired its debt for the construction of the modern, state-of-the-art Clubhouse; sold all four penthouses atop the Clubhouse; grown Memberships, golf play, and food and beverage sales; realized more property sales greater than $10 million than any other community by a substantial margin, including the highest-ever price for a single-family home sold in the Coachella Valley; and retained its incredible, long-serving staff.

The governance model at BIGHORN, where the Chairman makes decisions based on the best interests of the Club, provides stability and continuity in long-term planning. This allows BIGHORN to stay the course without the frequent changes in direction that typically come in other clubs with the turnover of new officers and committees each year. When Members bring ideas to Beury, he listens, and if he believes there is merit, he directs staff to thoroughly vet its pros and cons. Ultimately, as the “benevolent dictator,” he acts without the delays inherent in committee decisions. “What’s best for BIGHORN is what guides every choice I make.”

Beury’s commitment is unwavering: enhancing BIGHORN’s stunning environment and facilities, delivering the highest-caliber service, and creating first-class events that every family member can enjoy and cherish.

BIGHORN Chairman

John H. Beury III takes the long view, continually enhancing the spectacular Club.

“We stayed because of the beauty of the community, the quality of the Club, and the spirit and lifestyle that defines BIGHORN.”

Beury’s leadership and vision are grounded in excellence — both in his business career and his approach to BIGHORN. His career in

“BIGHORN is more than just a place; it’s a legacy — a legacy we are all part of, and one that I am deeply dedicated to preserving and advancing,” Beury says. “I’m excited to share these developments with you and to see the joy they bring to our incredible community.”

At Your Service

Our innovative and attentive staff goes above and beyond for Members.

BY BROOKE BEARE

BIGHORN GOLF CLUB has three simple rules. In common parlance: “Play fast.” “Don’t be a jerk.” “Treat staff like family.” This last rule is an integral part of the culture at BIGHORN. It’s a mantra that “tees up” an expertly executed environment for the talented, attentive and conscientious team of employees to make the BIGHORN experience satisfying, fun and memorable.

From the moment the Privacy officer greets you by name at the entry gatehouse to your arrival at the Clubhouse porte-cochère, where Outside Service Manager, Abel Lopez, takes (and, astoundingly, remembers) your car without a valet ticket, you’ll find BIGHORN’s attention to detail and personal service second to none.

At BIGHORN, everyone from the Privacy staff to Abel Lopez (right) at the Clubhouse portecochère knows your name (and vehicle).

“The Members and the staff of BIGHORN become family,” says BIGHORN Chairman John H. Beury III. “We have about 350 employees with an average tenure of above 10 years. Their dedication and understanding of BIGHORN’s values and service creates an environment conducive to long term relationships…just like being a part of a family.”

From their first day at BIGHORN, employees are mentored by veteran staff members who know and understand BIGHORN’s expectational service. In a very short time, they become fluent in the Club’s culture, continually elevating their individual performance and strengthening the team. Service is seamless. Members and their guests laud the treatment they receive typically saying, “It’s like no other club.”

“The staff here is world class,” says Geeman Yip, a Member since 2021. “They are friendly and amazing.”

Dan Sandy, a Member since 2003, adds, “It’s such a welcoming experience when you come here. It’s the staff, it’s the Members — they are all family. The staff goes above and beyond.”

It is clear employees are revered at BIGHORN, and they understand that reverence comes because they’re passionate about the place and their jobs. Everybody fills a role, and everyone wants to do it exceptionally well.

“Anytime we see employees excel, we thank them,” BIGHORN President and VP of Development Carl Cardinalli confirms. “We appreciate what they do every day. Managers pay attention, and if they see an employee make a special effort or exhibit a talent, even in a different area, they’ll make note of the employee’s initiative and potential for that employee to grow within BIGHORN.”

Indeed, BIGHORN promotes from within. Banquets Manager Arturo Perez started as a server in 1999, and even the Club’s General Manager Tony Ogrodnick began his career at BIGHORN as a golf host. Ashley Castellanos started here as a dishwasher, took an opportunity to learn how to make sushi and now oversees the sushi station at The Pour House, where Members applaud her skill. Wherever a Member chooses to dine at BIGHORN, first-class quality and service prevail. Beury recalls a Member asking a server at the Canyons Steak House if the chef could prepare uni (sea urchin in Japanese), but it wasn’t on the menu. The next time the Member came into the restaurant, much to his surprise and delight, the chef made sure to have uni available for him.

“That’s the passion and the elevated service level we extend to our Members,” Cardinalli extols.

This curated approach is apparent in every component of the Club, from the BIGHORN Spa & Wellness Center to the award-winning Golf Shop. When the concept of a new Clubhouse was underway, the architect, who had just returned from New York City with his wife, asked if the Club would consider a new concept for the Golf Shop — more of a Madison Avenue–style boutique. Without hesitation, the answer was a resounding “Yes!” The result is a chic and towering retail space that reimagines what the amenity could be. Consistently ranked by Golf Business Magazine as one of the Top 25 Private and Top 100 Pro Shops in the country, the Golf Shop’s stylish outfits and accessories are displayed alongside an extensive demo club selection. As an added benefit and convenience to the Members, ensconced within the Shop is a jewelry boutiquewithin-a-boutique, the glittering Jewel Box. Imagine the private convenience for Members to browse and shop a bespoke selection of exceptional jewelry and timepieces.

The concierge service starts at the front entry and continues through the porte-cochère, Concierge Desk at the Clubhouse, the

Starters Jen McLaughlin and Brendan Daly place golfers on the two BIGHORN courses to maintain a steady pace of play.

Golf Shop and into the luxurious Locker Rooms. Men’s Locker Room Manager Bob Carlin, a 28-year employee, expertly tours you through the expansive Men’s Locker Room space, which includes sleek, personalized and hardware-less lockers, inside-outside dining, a lounge with electric recliners, multiple TVs, pool table and shuffleboard. Aside from the warm welcome, great smile and sense of humor, he hosts weekly card games for Members, and shakes up a mean margarita. A margarita so good that Jimmy Buffet, Mr. Margaritaville himself, even praised it.

After a change into golf shoes, you’re ushered to the driving range, where starters Brendan Daly and Jen McLaughlin take over. With no tee times, their roles are to identify the best place for golfers to begin their rounds without interrupting the flow of play.

It’s unusual for a private golf club to employ a starter, and unheard of to employ two. Daly and McLaughlin take turns on the Mountains and Canyons courses, meeting Members at the Club’s pair of driving ranges — another distinguishing quality of BIGHORN.

“A great thing about BIGHORN is that Members can leave their home, come to the driving range and be on the course in 10 minutes,” says McLaughlin, who joined the Club 12 years ago. “We get them going by utilizing the whole course to provide almost immediate access.

McLaughlin and Daly, like their fellow team members, know the Membership. They know how long Members like to warm up and how fast they like to play. “We’ve both been here for so

long,” says Daly, who became a full-time starter when the Canyons Course opened in 1998. “With our understanding and knowledge, we’ve built a relationship of trust that really plays a role in the way BIGHORN is run every day. We’ve had days when 60 people have shown up on the driving range at the same time, all looking to play.

We’re not fazed. Jen and I know exactly what to do.”

Sandy adds, “Brendan and Jen know how fast everyone plays and where everyone should be starting. They do everything above and beyond to make sure our golf experience is fabulous. If they see that you’re a faster player than someone else, they’re going to put you in front of that other person to make sure that you have the best experience possible. Our starters are amazing.”

Beyond expert golf tips, the starters might also offer a recommendation to stop at The Marketplace between nines or after your round. Fresh-pressed juices, custom-created smoothies and a full menu of Starbucks coffees are available, along with drycleaning services, locally designed floral arrangements and a wide assortment of sundries and essentials. The Marketplace Manager Raul Vasquez and his team constantly update the offerings and tailor them to the seasons.

At BIGHORN, the staff’s objective is to be the best there is anywhere and ensure Members enjoy a world-class experience every day and with every interaction. “That’s why I’m the luckiest guy in the world,” Cardinalli says. “I work with people who work to achieve excellence. It’s why no one else can touch us.”

It’s Better to Give!

Club Members’ philanthropic spirit propels local charities, college-bound students and the battle against cancer.

BY STEVEN BILLER

BIGHORN GOLF CLUB can rightly claim it is the most philanthropic community in the Coachella Valley. Members and BIGHORN Golf Club Charities have gifted more than $400 million to local nonprofit organizations, cancerrelated research, services and scholarships.

The influence these gifts wield on individuals and organizations in our community is as remarkable as the magnitude of the contributions.

“Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert has used the funding from BIGHORN to provide adaptive mobility equipment to children with special needs and disabilities,” says Heidi M. Maldoon, Executive Director and five-time BIGHORN Cares grant recipient. “BIGHORN’s generosity has provided over 70 children with access to adaptive bicycles and strollers, wheelchairs and more. The gift of mobility has helped children with access and inclusion, whether riding bicycles with siblings or attending concerts in the park, as well as with school and academic opportunities.”

BIGHORN Golf Club Charities allows Members to support the causes that they care about most, helping solve immediate and longterm needs of the community they love. This could manifest through BIGHORN Behind A Miracle (BAM), which swiftly established itself beyond the Club as a premier funding source for local cancer-related initiatives; BIGHORN Cares, which supports local nonprofits in specific projects; and BIGHORN Scholarships.

BIGHORN GOLF CLUB CHARITIES started in 2006 with the Scholarship Program. Since that time, nearly one thousand grants have been gifted to worthy student recipients including some of BIGHORN’s employees and their family members. These grants support the pursuit of education at community colleges, as well as four-year and graduate degrees at universities around the country.

“We felt that education was very important and allowed people to advance themselves either while working for BIGHORN or in the career of their choice,” says Ed Burger, Chairman of BIGHORN Scholarships. “Our goal was to provide English as a Second Language classes, as well as scholarships for college and vocational schools.”

It has proven successful, as BIGHORN Scholarship recipients have attended top schools, including Harvard; Stanford; University of California, Los Angeles; University of Southern California; University of California, San Diego; University of San Diego; Texas Christian University and the local College of the Desert.

Scholarship recipient Fabian Perez Casillas, 22, the son of longtime BIGHORN Banquets Manager Arturo Perez, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business accounting at San Francisco State University.

“I’m intending to get my CPA license,” he says, noting that he’ll graduate in May 2025. “I want to go into auditing — internal or external auditing.”

“It’s been incredible help financially, and in general,” shares Fabian, who has received scholarship awards for three years. “I’ve been using the scholarship money for tuition, textbooks and other expenses. It allows me to do what I need to do in class and not worry about other stressors. It not only helps me, but also helps my family, so I want to do the best that I can. Not everyone has this type of help.”

Fabian’s older brother and younger sister also received scholarships.

“We have scholarship students graduating every year,” Burger says. “Their success in furthering their education is our reward, and the reason we continue the program.”

A YEAR AFTER BIGHORN Scholarships launched, late Club Member Selby Dunham founded BIGHORN BAM to focus giving in relation to breast cancer. Over the last five years, BAM extended

the program, which includes the popular Paint El Paseo Pink, to support men, women and children with all types of cancer.

“We are delighted to help families offset the cost of medical bills by providing transportation, paying utility bills and supplying gas and grocery cards through The Pendleton Foundation,” BIGHORN Director of Charities Kelly Levy enthuses. “It’s exciting, now we have five BAM vehicles — including one donated by Palm Springs Motors owners and BIGHORN Members Paul and Pam Thiel and their family. These BAM vans help people get all the way from Blythe to the Eisenhower Health campus for their treatment.” The vehicles have provided 46,659 rides for cancer patients from 2009 to 2024.

From left: DJ Thiel, Katie Schnaser of Lucy Curci Cancer Center, Paul Thiel, Julie Simon, Trevor Thiel and Dr. Kamal Patel of BIGHORN Radiation Oncology Center.

Fabian Perez (far right) with his family, including his father and BIGHORN Banquets Manager Arturo Perez.

The Sivia family, BIGHORN Members, volunteer their time to make a difference.

“Our goal is to save 100,000 more lives and make a million new miracles happen,” explains Julie Simon, a BIGHORN Member since 2015, who carries on Dunham’s legacy as the chair of BIGHORN BAM.

In its first 16 years, BIGHORN BAM raised more than $13 million for the diagnosis, treatment and transportation of people impacted by cancer throughout the Coachella Valley.

In the 2023-’24 season, BAM raised more than $1 million and made significant donations to four local charities: Desert Regional Cancer Center ($68,000), Eisenhower Health ($546,000), Make-AWish Foundation ($47,000), and The Pendleton Foundation ($50,000).

MEMBERS WHO WANT to focus their giving on the most immediate needs of the Coachella Valley appreciate the ability to give to BIGHORN Cares. Launched in 2014, BIGHORN Cares has gifted more than $5.4 million through 572 grants to fund projects that significantly impact the quality of life for the people they serve.

“This is a real service to many of our Members who spend time in multiple communities and want to give back here,” says Joe Kirby, Founder and Chairman of BIGHORN Cares. “The due diligence is done, and they can feel good about their donations.”

Nonprofit organizations that have received BIGHORN Cares grants include Boys & Girls Club, Desert Arc, the USO at Palm Springs, Galilee Center, Read with Me, Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert, SoCal Adaptive Sports, and Tools for Tomorrow, to name a few.

Levy thoroughly screens hundreds of applicants, examines the projects and, after funding, follows up with the charities to assess the outcomes of the initiatives.

“Kelly [Levy] has joined us on multiple occasions to meet the children we serve, be part of the presentation of equipment to children, distribute essential supplies to families in need and pack resource bags for families,” Maldoon offers. “She is deeply invested in the work BIGHORN supports and takes great care to be a visible and active ambassador for BIGHORN Cares.”

“The best part of my job is visiting and experiencing the joy of the recipients,” Levy expresses. “Volunteering and knowing that we’re making a difference is so gratifying, but there is nothing like seeing faces light up when they are gifted their request.”

BIGHORN Cares supports a wide range of needs, including afterschool services, food relief, disability assistance, shelter relief, foster care, health screenings and military programs. Kirby emphasizes that 100 percent of donor dollars goes to the charities.

“It’s a unique program,” he says. “There’s nothing like it at any other desert club.”

Clockwise from above: BIGHORN BAM hosts Paint El Paseo Pink.

BIGHORN Cares identifies the greatest needs in the local community and awards grants to nonprofit organizations.

Thank you BIGHORN Members.

At Eisenhower Health, we are honored to support you and your families through the 24/7 Recognition Program, offering personalized healthcare while advancing our not-for-profit mission.

Together, we are committed to excellence, as well as ensuring a brighter healthier tomorrow for all.

Photo: David Loftus

WELLNESS & BEAUTY

A Better, Brighter You!

BIGHORN’s Spa & Wellness Center will make you look and feel like a million bucks.

BY JUNE ALLAN CORRIGAN

THERE’S NO skipping a workout at BIGHORN Golf Club. Not a chance. You’d only miss the opportunity to start your morning with friends, and you’d feel less pumped to positively power through the rest of it.

“At BIGHORN,” says Jeff Aarthun, a Golf Member at the Club since 2003, “You really end up showing up for everybody else. It is funny — the TRX [total resistance exercise] people look at each other and say, ‘I knew I had to show up for you.’ The thing that I get so much out of both TRX and pickleball is the community. We all just enjoy being together. And I’m also proud to bring guests up. Guests are just blown away by BIGHORN.”

Daily habitués know, occasional drop-ins remember, and firsttime guests quickly discover that the BIGHORN Spa & Wellness Center, located across from the Clubhouse, is an inviting place to pursue fitness, well-being and beauty.

“We want Members to think of the Spa & Wellness Center as an extension to their home,” says Director of Spa & Wellness Karen Cotterell. “They can eat breakfast, take a class, exercise, enjoy a treatment, stay and relax — whatever they want to do.”

Members often start the mornings nibbling on the refreshing array of fruit and pastries, and mingling with friends and the knowledgeable staff, who customize experiences — from fitness programs to beauty and body care treatments — to each Member’s unique goals and objectives.

“Our providers tailor every treatment to exactly what our Members request or to their individual needs,” Cotterell says of the friendly trainers, therapists, and stylists.

The Spa & Wellness Center offers a full and varied schedule filled with yoga, dance cardio, barre, Pilates, spin and TRX, as well as a state-of-the-art gym with treadmills, recumbent bikes, elliptical

machines and free weights. Members have the option of working out solo or with one of the five personal trainers, whose certifications vary from TPI certified for golf and/or FST certified for stretching.

“Combining those two certifications, our trainers have made great strides with some of the Members’ golf games,” Spa & Fitness Manager Katie Chaplin says.

“It is a total body workout,” Aarthun says of TRX. “You use muscles you never used before. It helps with my golf and with my pickleball.”

Members also swim laps and participate in cardio splash classes at the adjoining pool.

“What I find most important is the fantastic menu of choices, enjoying the company of other participants and appreciating the continuing strength I’m acquiring,” says Judith Allred, a Club Member since 2021. “The instructors mirror the quality and integrity of BIGHORN. The enjoyable dance classes have even overflowed into a women’s dance group called Showstoppers.”

The Spa & Wellness Center stays current with trends and methods to help Members look and feel their best. Members can schedule sessions in the state-of-the-art cryotherapy chamber to reduce inflammation and increase range of motion. Chaplin also initiates pop-up specialty classes, such as sound bowl therapy, a holistic practice designed to promote healing in body and mind.

Additionally, through a special arrangement with Dr. Doriana Cosgrove, owner and director of Desert Med Aesthetics in Indian Wells, California, Members can receive nonsurgical rejuvenation and skin care treatments such as dermal fillers, Botox, laser therapies, CoolSculpting and Threadlifts from the privacy of a treatment room at the Spa & Wellness Center.

Incidentally, Dr. Cosgrove makes SkinMedica® products available

in the lobby shop, along with Epicuren Skin Care products (also used in the Spa’s treatments), Farmhouse Fresh body treatments, and cozy fashions from Barefoot Dreams and Wrap Up by VP. Every year, Cotterell finds a new line to add to the array.

The Spa also offers a full-service hair and nail salon that stocks Members’ specific shades.

“We can combine any of our services — salon, facials and massages — and make them the customized experiences that Members are looking for,” Cotterell says.

For years, as a result of BIGHORN’s partnership with Scripps, Members have had an annual cancer screening at the Spa & Wellness Center — another welcomed offering emphasizing the Club’s commitment to the well-being of its Membership.

Whether coming for beauty, health or fitness, Members make the BIGHORN Spa & Wellness Center a part of their everyday lifestyle — not only for the physical benefits they enjoy, but also for the spirited camaraderie.

“We look forward to every morning,” Aarthun says. “There is joy and appreciation here. Everyone is nice, and I love it. I never want to miss a day.”

Soothing sound baths, fun fitness and dance classes and customizable treatments optimize Members’ mind, body and spirit.

COURT SPORTS

Get in the Game!

Camaraderie is the name of the game for the Club’s tennis and pickleball players.

BY JUDD SPICER

ACOALESCENCE OF COURTS and camaraderie, the racquet sports scene at BIGHORN Golf Club is as much about camaraderie as it is rally. Carved amid a cove of mountains adjacent to the Clubhouse, the Club’s four tennis courts, four pickleball courts and bocce ball court provide a highly appointed space for friendly competition.

“We give Members an experience they can’t get anywhere else,” says Andrew Minnelli, Director of Racquet Sports. “We’re a racquets

family. We’re not exclusive to tennis or pickleball — we’re both.”

The major action ramps up each season when Members return to BIGHORN.

“We have our Racquets Classic opening party where there’s a competition, followed by a dinner, welcoming everybody back to the Club,” Minnelli says. “We tell the Members all the exciting things we have planned for the year, and everybody gets jazzed. While this is their home, this is also a premier destination. Members return to

BIGHORN to be part of this family, get into competition and have fun.”

The Club delivers big on fun with programs such as the annual two-day Tennis Fantasy Camp, featuring an all-star cast of talent, scheduled the week prior to Thanksgiving. “For the past two years we’ve brought in Mats Wilander, the former No. 1 player in the world and eight-time Grand Slam winner,” Minnelli beams. “This past season, we also brought in Mel Purcell, who was the No. 21 [in 1980] in the world and made the quarterfinal at Wimbledon in 1983.”

The camp program features morning instruction, an afternoon racquet demo, as well as Member matches, with teams drafted by the legendary players, who provide on-court coaching.

“It’s super,” says participant Roger Hinds. “To be able to connect with these players that we’ve all seen on TV, to get them to our Club and watch and listen to them — it is phenomenal. These guys are so good. Just to watch how they get into position and hit winners, it’s just awesome.”

In January, the fantasy fun turns to the Club’s annual Pickleball Fantasy Camp with top-ranked PPA Tour player Collin Johns. “He’s an absolutely stellar player,” Minnelli says of Johns, the right-hander who reached the singles semifinals in his pro debut at the 2019 U.S. Open. “Along with his brother Ben, he is No. 1 in the world for doubles. It’s so much fun to have him here because he’s always innovating, always so analytical with his own game. Whatever he’s working on at the time, he passes along all that information to us.”

Such knowledge leads to instant improvement for many participants.

“You’re getting personal instruction from one of the best players in the world,” says BIGHORN Member Toni Ackermann. “I got some great pointers [from Johns]. In the first 10 minutes, he noticed how I was holding my paddle, and he changed the grip on my backhand, so I’ve been able to introduce that to my game.”

Throughout the season, Minnelli and his team, independently accomplished and distinguished, also focus on engagement and top-tier instruction, ensuring Members benefit from their collective expertise and talents. Robust programming includes tennis and pickleball round robins five days a week, home-and-away matches against other clubs, holiday-timed junior camps and Club championships for singles and doubles.

The biggest trophy may well come in the form of the two sports’ Mountains vs. Canyons matches.

“Our Members live on the two sides of the street, and it becomes a pride thing,” Minnelli explains. “It gets competitive and has lots of good banter, but it’s really all about having a good time, bringing the racquets family together, and, sure, owning those bragging rights.”

The annual duels are narrated with a healthy, competitive Club spirit.

“I’m on the Mountains, and the Canyons beat us pretty bad last year, so it gives our side something to strive toward in the season ahead,” Ackermann laughs. “It has enhanced our sense of community.

The staff hustled to get people to come out and compete, and Andrew [Minnelli] has raised the bar of our racquets programs a hundred-fold. There’s so much interest and enthusiasm to get involved.”

Sporting a diversity of surfaces, the Club offers high-quality hard and Har-Tru clay tennis courts. “Our hard courts are the identical speed that they have at the nearby Indian Wells Tennis Garden, which hosts the BNP Paribas Open,” Minnelli proudly confides. “The tournament attracts the world’s top players to the Coachella Valley. When the pros come to BIGHORN, they have the exact same surface to prepare for the tournament.”

Players and Club Members look forward to viewing the BNP pros warm-ups every year on BIGHORN’s Court 4.

“To watch these guys up close is incredible,” Hinds says. “At the tournament, even with good seats, you’re still a little ways away and need to be mindful of when you talk and so forth. When they come here to practice, we listen to them cut up a little bit and really see their personalities come out.”

Minnelli adds, “The players come here knowing they’re not going to get hassled, and they get to enjoy the beauty of BIGHORN,” he says. “For our Members, they get to watch what some of the best players in the world are working on and how they prepare, right in their own backyard.”

BIGHORN is always working to stay ahead of that curve when it comes to the racquet sports facilities and programs. “We know what’s popular,” Minnelli says, “but we also perform our due diligence in terms of listening to our Members and hearing what they want, with the goals of being fluid, creative and having something at BIGHORN that Members can’t get anywhere else.”

Members enjoy tennis and pickleball round-robins five days a week, as well as Club and interclub competitions and instruction by Director of Racquet Sports Andrew Minnelli (shown opposite page, far right).

OUTDOORS

Above it All

Sweeping valley views and refreshing palm oases await adventurers along the BIGHORN Loop.

BY STEVEN BILLER

ABOUNTY OF CACTUSES and desert plants, surprising rock formations and palm oases and pristine mountain vistas as far as the eye can see lies outside your front door at BIGHORN Golf Club.

A trio of private trailheads off the roadway on the Club’s Mountains side leads to stunning natural beauty along the popular Art Smith and Hopalong Cassidy trails.

“They’re easily accessible, well-marked and a great way for Members to enjoy the outdoors and get a nice workout,” says Mike Grenier, the Club’s longtime Membership Director. “The trails hover right over the property. You can easily see three or four golf holes

below. It’s a beautiful perspective to view BIGHORN.”

Casual hikers favor the 3-mile “BIGHORN Loop,” which begins at the east trailhead on the Art Smith Trail, connects to the Hopalong Cassidy Trail and descends on the west trailhead to the road inside of the Club. It’s a light, easy-to-navigate hike with 3-foot-wide sand trails that average hikers finish in about one hour and 20 minutes.

Experienced hikers like Fred and Heather Gallagher, BIGHORN Members since 2008, sometimes trek the entire Art Smith Trail, named for the leader of the legendary Desert Riders equestrian club. The trail stretches from the Pines to Palms Scenic Byway to Palm Springs — a 16.2-mile out-and-back journey that takes roughly eight hours.

“[Hiking] becomes addictive. We have lots of friends who love doing it, and it’s a good place to take visitors ... The beauty is that the trail comes right out of BIGHORN. We don’t have to drive.”

HEATHER GALLAGHER

To stay closer to home, a right fork from the Art Smith Trail onto the Hopalong Cassidy Trail leads toward the Homestead Trail, aka the Cross Trail.

For a long time, Heather would hike a short stretch of the Art Smith Trail every morning, from the BIGHORN trailhead up to the first oasis. “It becomes addictive,” she says. “We have lots of friends who love doing it, and it’s a good place to take visitors because you can feel like you’re in the wilderness so fast. The beauty is that the trail comes right out of BIGHORN. We don’t have to drive.”

The Gallaghers even started an annual tradition with about a dozen fellow Members: “On Christmas morning, we hike to that first oasis on the Art Smith Trail, throw a tablecloth over a rock and celebrate,” Heather says. “One time,” Fred adds, “a couple dressed in reindeer outfits.”

much more than sand and sun.

“Hiking was one of the things that attracted us to the area,” Fred says. “We were not golfers. (I am now.) Initially, it was all the activities: the hiking, fitness and tennis.”

The nonprofit Friends of the Desert Mountains plays a vital role in maintaining the trails around BIGHORN. The organization’s volunteers hike the area to repair spots that might present dangers and to report wildlife to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, located near the Club on Highway 74.

The “BIGHORN Loop” starts at the east trailhead on the Art Smith Trail and connects to the Hopalong Cassidy Trail, offering a stunning view of the Mountains Course from above the sixth tee before descending on the west trailhead.

Members who hike tend to find each other socializing at the Club’s events and restaurants, or at The Marketplace, where they often meet to begin and finish their excursions.

Even more Members head to the hills when the wildflowers are in bloom. The Gallaghers, who spend the rest of the year at their home in British Columbia, Canada, were surprised the first time they saw the flowers blanket the landscape. They now fill a wall of their Canyons-side BIGHORN home with photos of the colorful blooms to show their guests that the desert is alive with

“We consider [Art Smith] one of our home trails,” says Friends Board Member and longtime volunteer Gordon Fidler, who notes the mountains have been a dramatic feature of the BIGHORN story since the Club was founded in the early 1990s. “Sales promotions included a sense of the outdoors — a nature-centric development. The Club connected routes to the Art Smith Trail in 2004, providing Members and their guests a range of hiking possibilities, from short and easy to long and challenging.”

Beyond the invigorating fresh-air exercise, the vistas always captivate. Serendipitous encounters with wildlife, including the majestic Peninsular bighorn sheep — the namesake of BIGHORN Golf Club — transform the experience into a cherished memory. Mostly, it’s a great way to explore the wilderness without wandering too far from home.

Bottom

Top:

“Hello James” 36h x 60w framed oil on canvas

Left:

“Wings” 23h x 24w x 10d gold stacked glass sculpture

Right:

“Cosmic OOO” 76h x 36w

hand forged bronze and stainless steel wall sculpture

A Golfer’s

At BIGHORN, players revel on 36 immaculate holes with stunning scenery, no tee times, and an ultra-chic Clubhouse to finish the round.

BY TOM MACKIN

Paradise

IS IT

possible to adequately capture the essence of one of the country’s premier private golf clubs in only nine seconds? Unlikely. Except perhaps in the case of BIGHORN Golf Club, where that specific amount of time represents a singular moment in a golf experience found nowhere else.

To do so, make your way to the back tee of the sixth hole on the Mountains Course, designed by Arthur Hills and opened in 1991. You’ll be standing at 1,207 feet above sea level, a perfect altitude to enjoy the breathtaking panorama before you. Then place your ball on the tee and grip your driver. Hit the ball squarely, watch its majestic flight and start counting. It will take approximately nine seconds for the ball to touch earth, ideally in the middle of the impeccably manicured fairway 170 feet below. This ethereal experience lends itself to far more than a memorable setting for a single golf shot. Being in this special place near the top of a mountain creates a vibe, an ambiance, a spirit that just feels different.

Chito Velasquez knows it well. He’s been roaming the fairways and greens at BIGHORN for almost three decades as an agronomy staff member and now Director of Golf Course Management. He freely and frequently dispenses advice regarding this spot.

“I make it a point to tell our Members that if they are dealing with any issues in their life, go out to the sixth tee box on the Mountains Course,” he says. “The views are spectacular, and there seems to be some type of energy there that revitalizes your soul. Maybe that’s why I have been here for 27 years. I go up there for a few minutes, and I’m ready to go.”

BIGHORN is a special place indeed. In addition to 36 holes across two courses, the Club boasts two practice facilities, multiple putting areas, and no tee times. There’s also Director of Golf Instruction Dale Abraham, a multiyear Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher, who works his magic at the state-of-the-art Learning Center. Abraham is also a Golf Digest Top Teacher in State and Trackman certified. While pristine playing conditions, equal to those at professional tournaments, are standard at BIGHORN, the courses are unforgettable in their own singular ways. Two very different layouts present Members and guests with joyful treks through immaculately maintained desert landscapes.

The Mountains Course is akin to a three-act play: the initial six holes ascend dramatically into the towering Santa Rosa Mountains (some players say that it’s the most challenging opening stretch of holes of any course in the Coachella Valley); the next six descend steadily from a high point at the sixth tee, presenting multiple vantage points of the Valley and surrounding mountains; the final six holes are a fitting conclusion to a memorable round where the course’s namesake serves as a perfect backdrop. The key to a low score is negotiating the frequent elevation changes, especially on the front nine.

The par 4 hole No. 2 on the Canyons Course designed by legendary golf course architect Tom Fazio.

The BIGHORN Golf Shop, located in the Clubhouse, offers top brands in golf attire and gear and has been named by Golf World Business Magazine as one of the Top 25 Private and Top 100 Pro Shops in the country 16 years in a row.

The experience of the idyllic sixth hole is topped only by finishing at the elegant Clubhouse.

The Canyons Course was designed by Tom Fazio and opened in December 1998. The look and feel are classic Fazio: wide fairways and generous greens guarded by enormous bunkers (113 in all, aggregating to 2.7 acres of sand; in comparison, the Mountains Course has 44 bunkers). To create a sense of being one with nature, Fazio’s design called for more than eight million cubic yards of material to be moved and graded to create a golfing experience surrounded by waterfalls, creeks, giant palm trees and colorful flowers.

“There is a great variety between the Mountains and the Canyons,” says two-time Club Champion Mike Fritz, a Golf Member since 2019 who finds the best views at the sixth tee on the Mountains Course and No. 18 on the Canyons Course. “The Mountains is my

favorite. Each season, we bring out-of-town guests for a visit, and it’s always fun to bring them here. The courses are all super-well maintained. Our guests are always blown away.”

Each course has its own starter to help maintain an appropriate pace of play, with a round expected to last about three hours and 20 minutes. Golf carts help achieve that goal, often coming in whimsical colors and décor, expressing the personality of each owner. Perfect pyramids of Pro V1 golf balls stand ready at both of the driving ranges. Chilled apples and oranges are available on the course to provide healthy energy. For post-round celebrations, you might choose Bullet Bob’s Margarita, a legendary concoction known for both flavor and potency.

Or you can just savor the pleasure of being fortunate to have played the golf courses at BIGHORN. For that, you will certainly need much more than nine seconds.

No Place Better

Lee and Claudia Trevino come to BIGHORN as often as possible and never want to leave.

BY TOM MACKIN

WHENEVER LEE TREVINO meets a potential BIGHORN Golf Club Member, he gets straight to the point. “I’ll ask them, ‘Are you looking?’ The usual response is, ‘Yes, we’re just looking.’”

“Have you looked at other places?” he’ll ask next. “We have,” they’ll reply.

“Well, you’re wasting your time,” he then tells them. “As soon as you look at this place, you’re going to say, ‘What the hell were we doing looking at other places?’ I’m sincere about that. There’s nothing even close to BIGHORN.”

That is high praise from the 84-year-old Texas native and BIGHORN Member for more than 20 years. Trevino accumulated 92 wins (including six majors) during a legendary career and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1981.

“I have traveled all over the world, played just about every place you can imagine, and stayed at all the different resorts and hotels,” Trevino says. “For people looking for the best club to join, I don’t know of any that I have ever been to that’s even close to BIGHORN. It is different. It’s like a family. As soon as you join, you start meeting everyone. And everyone meets at the Canyons Steak House. Everyone congregates there at night, so they get to know each other.”

Trevino and his wife Claudia rarely leave the property during their visits to Palm Desert. “We have everything we need on the campus,” he says. “Where have you ever heard of 36 holes with two major restaurants, two driving ranges, and a marketplace for food, coffee, wine, and fresh bread? The Golf House is where the ladies tend to congregate for lunch. It’s the most family-oriented club I have ever seen. And if you have an exotic car, you take it to The Vault! It’s the most amazing thing.”

A golfer at his core, Trevino spends most of his time at either the practice range or one of the two courses. “The whole thing about golf

A winning couple on and off the course, Lee and Claudia Trevino always come home to BIGHORN for the annual Welcome Home Party. clubs, and you see this all the time, is you don’t have anybody to play with,” he says. “Not so at BIGHORN. We have games at eight and 10 in the morning. You bet a little bit, play with your handicap, and then most of them have lunch. It’s fabulous.”

Trevino’s favorite lunch partner, naturally, is Claudia. “I go and get her after the morning golf and we get something to eat,” he says.

“Then we go to the range to hit balls and play nine holes, usually finishing around 3 p.m. We’re a team now for 40 years. I don’t go anywhere without her. I’d get lost if I did.”

They are a successful team on the course, too. At BIGHORN’s 2014 One-Day Member-Member Golf Tournament, the couple’s score of 66 tied for first place with BIGHORN Member and 20time Champions Tour winner Jim Colbert and Robbie Pike Jr. More amazingly, Mr. Trevino won three of the four closest to the pin contests that day. The other winner? Mrs. Trevino herself.

The Trevinos come to BIGHORN from their Dallas home as often as possible, including each November for the Welcome Home Party.

“What other club can feed hundreds of people on a patio? I don’t know of any,” Trevino says incredulously, referring to the Event Terrace at the Clubhouse. “And have you ever seen anything as gorgeous as the dining room [at The Pour House], looking down the 18th fairway of the Mountains Course and down into the Coachella Valley? It doesn’t get any better than that.”

Q&A

Chito Velasquez Director of Golf Course Management

Since joining the BIGHORN Golf Club team in 1997, Chito Velasquez, 65, has risen to the position of Director of Golf Course Management, overseeing 115 employees across four teams who keep the Mountains and Canyons courses and HOA properties looking spectacular.

How has your job changed since you started at BIGHORN?

It has changed tremendously. Technology has made a significant difference. Water conservation has been a constant concern for BIGHORN. We were the first major club in the Coachella Valley to install drip irrigation for all our landscaping, and we limited the amount of turf for our courses. We have only 75 acres of turf on each course. Almost all other clubs in the Valley have at least 100 to 110 acres. In managing our water resources — three wells and a delivery system to pump all our irrigation water from lower elevations — we’ve installed sophisticated analytics to monitor our pumps and wells. We also installed and monitor irrigation and weather detection systems. We are constantly educating ourselves to stay current with best practices. The advanced technology we use is part of our process and progress.

What has kept you at BIGHORN for so long?

No. 1 is our excellent Membership. Our Members treat us like family, and our work environment is exceptional. It’s the envy of all other clubs. BIGHORN is supportive and has been there to support employees in need. There is a sense of stability here, which accounts for some employees being here for more than 30 years. After all these years, I’m still excited to come up here every day. I never get tired of BIGHORN.

How do you know when spring begins at BIGHORN?

When I see the three mesquite trees to the left of the main entrance of the Mountains Course and the mesquite that’s right behind the 15th green begin popping with color. That means the soil temperature has reached 64.7 degrees, the temperature needed for the Bermuda grass to start reactivating. Then, in the next two to three weeks, all the palo verdes and sweet acacias will start blooming, and every plant will explode. The color will be absolutely brilliant. The desert environment comes alive. A beautiful time at BIGHORN.

As Seen on TV

Legends of the game made BIGHORN a star, too.

BY TOM MACKIN

TIMING IS EVERYTHING in golf, including a made-for-TV, match-play event like the 2000 Battle at BIGHORN. Only a year earlier, Tiger Woods edged Sergio Garcia by one stroke to win the PGA Championship, igniting a vivid if short-lived rivalry between the young stars. That passion overflowed to the Canyons Course at BIGHORN the following August, with a match between the two garnering tremendous local and international attention as well as notable television ratings.

“We opened the gates at 2 p.m. with the match starting at 5,” recalls BIGHORN General Manager Tony Ogrodnick. “Right at 2, the cars started streaming in through the gate and into the parking area, and there was a line of cars all the way to Haystack Road! They never stopped coming for about three hours. It was awesome. We filled the parking lot and used 22 homesites for overflow. More than 5,000 people showed up that day. The community just loved it.”

Garcia edged Woods 1-up under lights installed for the occasion in the first of three Battle at BIGHORN events, followed in 2001 when Woods teamed with Annika Sörenstam to face David Duval and Karrie Webb. In the final edition, in July 2002, Woods and Jack Nicklaus defeated Lee Trevino and Sergio Garcia.

Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia and Lee Trevino (left to right) look on at the third Battle at BIGHORN on July 29, 2002. The Club’s late Chairman, R.D. Hubbard (center), hosted the prime-time events in a spectacularly successful bid to promote the elite BIGHORN Golf Club to the world.

“It’s very difficult to beat those guys, but I loved it,” Trevino recalls. “Second place was fine. I won the U.S. Open in 1968 and 1971, and first prize each time was $30,000. For second place at BIGHORN, we each got $200,000. That will buy a lot of tacos!”

The Battles were bookended by other televised events at BIGHORN. The Skins Game was played on the Mountains Course from 1992 through 1995, while Hale Irwin won the 1998 Senior Match Play Challenge. The LPGA Samsung World Championship took place from 2004 through 2007.

“Those Battles at BIGHORN were very purposeful and really put the community on the map nationally,” Ogrodnick says. “There was a ton of real estate sold — an estimated $38 million worth — after the first one. Because of Tiger and Sergio, you knew it was going to be a home run.”

Trevino knows who gets the credit for that. “[Late BIGHORN Chairman] R.D. Hubbard was the man out front with that idea,” he says of the events shown in prime time on the East Coast. “That was the original. They copied him after that.”

The par 3 hole No. 17 on the Arthur Hills–designed Mountains Course.

Dynamic Design

BY LISA MARIE HART

WITHIN BIGHORN Golf Club, spectacular architecture delights the eye and ignites the imagination. A reverence for the land and a cohesive palette enhances the artful variety of residential and community structures — a collection that exudes strength, beauty, and vitality. If the Club is a work in progress, never resting on its laurels, the unmistakable designs by Guy Dreier of Guy Dreier Designs and Kristi Hanson of KHA Architects epitomize that guiding principle.

These foundational designers arrived early, made prolific contributions, and remain highly sought-after and influential within and outside the Club. The reverberating impacts of their masterworks fill a timeline that starts even before BIGHORN was BIGHORN.

Dreier recalls driving around the barren mountainside in an old Wagoneer with developer Bill McComas, who asked him to design the first Sales Office in 1990. “We’re going to do a development here. It’s going to be the best,” Dreier recalls him saying. “I’m looking at that drainage easement and this property cut in half and thought: ‘How are you going to pull this off?’ They were still grading the golf course. There was no paving, but we’re building a house in the middle of it all.”

The design was so attractive that BIGHORN Properties sold Dreier’s finished home to a founding Member for his private residence. The Sales Office was relocated into a fancy double-wide trailer, but Dreier’s cutting-edge aesthetic established a sleek and soaring benchmark that was a springboard to some of the Club’s first home designs.

Hanson began designing homes and Club amenities after working for BIGHORN’s first developer from 1991 to 1994. When R.D. Hubbard took over BIGHORN in 1996, she would return to design some of the Club’s signature amenities. She had already been involved in establishing BIGHORN’s architectural guidelines and designed homes for many Members.

Since their earliest visions for BIGHORN residential and community designs, Dreier and Hanson have continually evolved the aesthetics and uplifted the Club’s legacy with their imagination and creativity.

Their careers developed in lockstep with BIGHORN, and both say they greatly value the longstanding partnerships they forged with R.D. Hubbard, Club President and Director of Sales Carl Cardinalli, and the BIGHORN Properties sales team. These partnerships set the tone for the Club, empower new homeowners to build sophisticated custom homes, and encourage a realm of breathtaking possibilities.

“Guy and Kristi have been catalysts,” says Lorna Ball, a longtime Broker Associate at BIGHORN Properties. “They have made a mark and in turn caused other great artists and leaders to become a part of the community, similar to great Members who bring more great Members.”

Echoes of their design ethos appear throughout BIGHORN, a testament to the respect their work has earned and the gravitas of its sway.

Dreier and Hanson recently joined Ball to reflect on their history together of more than 30 years at BIGHORN.

Guy Dreier’s design for the Evans estate on Summit Cove

“consists of a curved copper roof and an exterior clad in panther slate from India that resembles the surrounding desert mountains.”

The Makings of Greatness

Greatness has no exact formula. Yet Dreier and Hanson share distinct commonalities beyond their standards for excellence and ability to inspire awe through architecture: They complete the interiors of the residences that they design, they engage their clients in the process, they insist on “fun” as a prerequisite, and they believe every spectacular home should be one-of-a-kind.

HANSON: I have a standard line for potential clients: “Are we going to have fun doing this project?”

DREIER: That’s one of mine, too. My clients are very involved, both in the home’s functionality and the aesthetic. They know more about the house than we do by the time it’s done. They’ve done many houses and can articulate what they need and like. About 80 percent of my jobs result in multiple jobs with the same client in different locations. For one of my clients, I’ve done nine houses.

HANSON: If you do a great job, and you do it right, you will generally take on the next one and the next as the relationship develops — as

Above: This Dreierdesigned home was named “the ultimate home of the year” by Robb Report in 2009. Right: Guy, Dreier, Lorna Ball, and Kristi Hanson.

Opposite: Dreier’s design for the rear exterior of 706 Summit Cove.

long as you stay relevant to what clients want and not do the same thing that you’ve always done.

DREIER: I want to do something different every time. I ask potential clients, “Do you want to do something special and unique?” If not, I don’t want to do it.

Turning Point Projects

Dreier and Hanson have collaborated with Members for decades to realize families’ visions for the ideal California desert home. Along the way, extraordinary Club projects have presented opportunities to express their signature artistry.

Since 2002, Hanson’s eye for elevated spaces has been integral to the BIGHORN experience. She imaginatively and functionally designed many of BIGHORN’s iconic buildings, including the Sales Office, The Marketplace, The Vault, The Learning Center, and the Canyons Steak House, the last of which will unveil a remarkable makeover this fall.

After Swaback Partners perfected the new Clubhouse in 2017, Dreier designed the interiors of the four luxury penthouses, three

of which were built out to his stunning specifications, including furniture, furnishings, and spectacular stonework, works of art in and of themselves.

Private custom residences represent the heart and soul of their most meaningful work. Several shine as personal milestones.

DREIER: For me, it was the Hagadones’ [now Evans’] and Jerry Weintraub’s homes, both of which received a lot of media coverage. [The former is a 32,000-square-feet home with a fractured roofline, three-sided aquarium entry, 16 retractable glass walls framed in bronze, and an office integrated into a rocky outcropping. The latter is known for its bed that floats over the pool, a drive-through garage, and an English pub in the style of Claridge’s Bar.]

HANSON: I’ve designed more than 60 homes at BIGHORN, including R.D. and Joan Dale Hubbard’s. I kind of followed Guy’s lead on how to design cool houses. That’s very true! My turning points were Fritzky [with its copper tile roof system] and Butterfield [featuring 550 tons of specially quarried material as abstract forms to divide the living areas]. Both were big projects with unique features.

“Guy and Kristi have been catalysts. They have made a mark and in turn caused other great artists and leaders to become a part of the community...” lorna ball

What Homeowners Want Now

Families in BIGHORN are carving out more time than ever to be in their desert retreats. The Club proves to be an effortless, relaxed, comfortable — yet incredibly exciting — place for togetherness and making memories of a lifetime.

HANSON: Prior to the past several years, people were starting to say, “I don’t want an office, and I don’t want so many bedrooms.” Now it’s, “Six bedrooms or more. I need an office. We need separate spaces for everybody to be able to have their own privacy.”

DREIER: I’ll never forget them saying, “We built all these guest rooms and my kids never come to see me.” Then the kids were always here, and they were staying. Family lifestyles and dynamics have totally changed, and I think it’s a positive.

HANSON: BIGHORN is somewhere where everybody can be together. Now, a lot of my clients are asking for less technical aspects, especially for the guest rooms, so guests can just toggle a switch on and off.

BALL: As the sales team hears from Members, the designs evolve. One example would be a floor plan with two separate guest wings that run on their own systems, providing a flexible footprint that they can maintain, heat, and cool only as needed.

Pushing the Envelope

As the Club continually updates, innovates, and refreshes its dynamic amenities, Dreier and Hanson set the pace on the residential side. Their experience at BIGHORN allows for a receptiveness to emergent ideas that shape the future.

BALL: There are so many architecturally stunning ways to do something and still have it blend in. That’s what both of you are helping to hammer home with the Architectural Committee. You’re trying to bring the land plan up to speed with what people are building. We have so many legacy generations here, even people who are in the same home that their parents built from scratch. But now the next generations live differently, so they want to do something different from those original designs.

DREIER: Initially, there was a desire here for a sameness, a quiet look. When we do a project, we always try to stand out and make a statement. That was hard to do and get away with under the original parameters.

HANSON: Now, there’s openness to new and different design, as long as you generally fit within the parameters of what the guidelines require.

DREIER: Our approach when we were going to push the envelope and do something different was to finish our renderings and kill it with material boards. We’d make the best presentation we possibly could and dump it on Carl [Cardinalli]. He is sensitive about the site and the Club’s well-being. If you show him the whole thing in context, and it makes sense and it fits the site well, he’s open-minded. That’s how we changed a lot of the look up here.

BALL: Carl respects both of you as designers, knowing that your ultimate outcome is for the good of BIGHORN. When he sees something that he knows is good for BIGHORN and one of you is involved, he gets excited and gets behind it.

For the Love of BIGHORN

Dreier and Hanson find inspiration in the Club’s timeless setting and its panoramic views but even more so in its Members and staff.

DREIER: The environment here is unique to the Coachella Valley. The topography has its own personality, and has, at times, given us something architecturally to pull in that becomes part of the house. We did one home where the lot sits right up against the back of the mountain, and the headboard for the bed is the mountain behind it. We just put the bed against it, glazed the whole wall, and took a waterfall straight down it.

HANSON: For me, every project is about bringing the outside in so that you feel that connection with nature all around you.

BALL: When you’re rooted in a place like this, you want to do your best because you truly feel it — BIGHORN — deserves the best. I believe it shows, both in the process and in the outcome.

DREIER: There’s a real sense of community here. It’s a family environment, and people really take pride in it.

HANSON: The clients that I have designed homes for here are some of my favorite people. I get together with them. I have dinner with them. They’re friends in a way that I don’t necessarily experience at the other clubs. That’s unique here. Everybody on staff that I talk to, and every Member agrees: BIGHORN is about the people.

BALL: This chapter of BIGHORN is one of many for me, but one of my most important, as far as relationships are concerned. To think that all three of us have been so entrenched in BIGHORN and its culture for more than half of our lives is crazy! Gratefully, this story will continue as BIGHORN remains relevant and fresh, with the artistic additions from you two, who I am fortunate to call my friends!

Above and left: Kristi Hanson’s designs for Cahuilla Falls and Lantana View.

So more kids ﬁnd their greatness.

Think Together partners with schools to provide academic and enrichment programs so that students have the opportunity to discover their talents, unleash their possibilities and envision their brightest future.

For more information on how Think Together supports the local schools and students in Coachella Valley, visit thinktogether.org or scan the QR code.

Five-Star Cuisine

An elegant atmosphere, exceptional fare and meticulous, attentive service distinguish the dining experience at BIGHORN.

BY ELINA SHATKIN AND BROOKE BEARE

WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME

The tagline of a fictional bar from a 1980s sitcom is the raison d’être for the staff at BIGHORN Golf Club. Wherever you go on the 1,200-acre property, they know not only your name, but also your preferences. And, as is the BIGHORN way, most even anticipate your desires — especially at each one of the Club’s seven distinctive dining venues.

“The personalized service that our Members receive here at BIGHORN, they can’t get that anywhere else,” says Clubhouse Manager Juan Blanchard. “We see our Members so frequently, we are able to cater to an extraordinary level of detail. We know their names, and we know their children’s names. When a particular Member walks in, by the time they get to their table, we have their favorite drink waiting for them, just the way they like it.”

At The Pour House, the scale of menu rivals the scale of the view, a floor-to-ceiling mise en scene of the 18th hole of the Mountains

Course and the San Jacinto and Chocolate Mountains playing out for Members and their guests in an open, expansive and delightfully effervescent restaurant.

Members order just about anything that strikes their fancy at The Pour House — from maple-glazed baby back pork ribs to hiramasa sashimi. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the signature venue at the Clubhouse offers new American cuisine with a sophisticated fusion of international flavors.

Although The Pour House has a virtually unlimited menu, every year during the off-season, Executive Chef Greg Proper reviews the offerings, revamping recipes and removing items to make way for new dishes he hopes will tantalize Members’ palates.

“We have one of the most exhaustive menus in the desert, for sure,” says Proper, who oversees the cuisine at BIGHORN’s Clubhouse and beyond — including the noshes at the Men’s and Ladies Locker Rooms, and even the popular chili at The Marketplace. “Each season,

we change out at least 50 percent of the menu. We also have a secret menu,” he winks cryptically.

In addition to the restaurants, Proper creates customized menus for parties, weddings, Thanksgiving spreads, holiday dinners, seders and a variety of special events.

Given that many Members eat at The Pour House several times a week, he strives to provide a cornucopia of options. Members also relish the convenience of having anything from the menu delivered straight to their homes. “We have a huge to-go program!” Proper enthuses.

The challenges of the job are a perfect fit for his skillset and personality. Proper started working in restaurants when he was eight years old and has spent much of his career at hotels. He was a sous chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, by the time he was 20. He’s perfectly at home with Members and guests who have elevated expectations and five-star culinary demands.

“I know it’s a cliché, but if you love what you do and you like where you work, life is good,” Proper says. “I love BIGHORN, and I love what we do here. It’s very rewarding.”

At BIGHORN, the culinary experience extends far beyond the fork.

Need a wine pairing? Blanchard and Ruan Krugel, Director of Outlets, are masterful sommeliers who astutely tune their selections to the rich flavors of the menu. They will find the perfect varietal for your filet mignon or seafood specialty, share the story of the wine and deconstruct the reasoning behind the selection.

Krugel also curates seasonally specific craft cocktails. The artfully inspired libations often give a cheeky nod to of-the-moment events or personalities, such as the Naked, Almost Famous, a playful mix of Los Vecino Espadin Mezcal, VEP Vegetale Chartreuse, Aperol and Smoking Rosemary, created to pay homage to one of BIGHORN’s own Members, a meat-avoiding, green-eyed chanteuse.

“The personalized service that our Members receive here at BIGHORN, they can’t get that anywhere else. We see our Members so frequently, we are able to cater to an extraordinary level of detail.”

clubhouse manager juan blanchard

caters to every Member’s taste and desire. Center: Perfect meals begin with the finest ingredients.

Right: Ruan Krugel, Director of Outlets and sommelier, brings his masterful touch to Dee’s Cigar Lounge, a new amenity located in the Clubhouse and offering a bird’seye view of the finishing hole on the Mountains Course.

Left: Chef

Cuisine Nick Stendebach

A Remastered Canyons Steak House

Luminous and luxurious, the makeover of the popular venue includes a reoriented bar and rich finishes, elevating the already stunning array of amenities.

BY ELINA SHATKIN AND BROOKE BEARE

WARM, RICHLY HUED WOOD . Custom tailored booths.

Artist Sharon Marston and her team flew in from the U.K. to hand-tie thousands of blown glass bells into a luminous lighting fixture encircling the fireplace at BIGHORN’s Canyons Steak House.

A beautiful, enticing fireplace. The Canyons Steak House is no exception. After almost two decades, renowned architect Kristi Hanson returns to remaster the Club’s crown jewel of cuisine, taking inspiration from the evolution of the space itself and the elevated values and aesthetics of today. The result is a radiant, modern and more luminous venue with an expanded, more dramatic bar, seemingly reimagined in the blink of an eye, or more precisely, in a meticulously choreographed summer.

The awe begins on arrival. To restore the brilliance of the natural stone inside and outside of the venue, the surfaces were sandblasted. The earthy, quartzite interior flooring has been replaced by a soft, large format, light porcelain. At the entry, below a custom, suspended crystal light fixture is a very stylish and chic host station designed in a dramatic composition of illuminated white quartz and black Cambria

stone, a perfect welcoming introduction to the totally refurnished dining room. The gorgeous, always admired, pinwheeling mahogany ceiling and roofline are enhanced and amplified by the dazzling star of the space in the center of it all, an exquisite cylinder of light.

London-based artist Sharon Marston, creator of the 16-foot chandelier affixed above the Clubhouse staircase, also designed the Canyons Steak House’s new fireplace. The heavy staggered metal panels are replaced by a curtain-like chandelier made of thousands of hand-blown glass bells, individually placed on fiber-optic strands, like glowing gossamer threads, brightening or dimming, for the desired mood. The result is an art piece that bathes the dining room in radiant light, creating an aura and ambience like no other and perfectly complementing the venue’s stunning down-valley views.

The bar also changed dramatically. “When we originally designed the restaurant, the bar wasn’t intended to be a focus,”

Hanson says. “But that’s changed. We believe that every great steak house deserves a great bar and that’s what we’ve achieved.” By strategically relocating and re-orienting the bar and doubling the size of the space by designing an elegantly curved banquet wall opposite the bar, she not only improved the flow and functionality, but created an open, romantic aesthetic. Her window placement lightens the area and provides views to the south. Hanson designed a lux banquette wall with ornate brass and black finishes that are highlighted in relief and join a softly textured metal ceiling. The banquette seating gleams with a gemstone bronze fabric with custom made tables and smartly stylish companion chairs. The back bar with all the Steak House’s offerings of spirits is a stunning composition of wavy brass, glass and blackened steel. Between the bar and banquette are custom hightop tables and stylish, tall, custom bar stools upholstered in ostrichlike leather. It’s a bar lounge worthy of being a part of BIGHORN.

The refinished and refurbished intimate booths in the main dining room, preferred by BIGHORN visionary R.D. Hubbard, and all the interior furnishings — new chairs, tables and fabrics — were brought to reality by Hanson’s sister, Jennifer Wilhelmson. Wilhelmson provided her designer’s eye to all the new chairs, inside and out, and well as the new carpet, with its captivatingly fluid, swirling pattern, extending the artful brass, black and white theme. Her airy metal and crystal light fixtures above the booths perfectly complement the glass chandelier ringing the fireplace.

Details of the bar and lounge include a banquette wall with ornate brass and black finishes, gemstone bronze fabric seating, a textured metal ceiling, and swirl pattern carpet.

The private dining area has been expanded and completely redone, seamlessly integrating with the main dining room and providing the flexibility of accommodating private parties, small or large. The ceilings in the new bar and private dining area have come from the genius of Terri Riesenman, of Faux You Designs, who also designed and created the multiple unique walls in the Clubhouse.

Behind the scenes, Chef de Cuisine Nick Stendebach played a crucial role in redesigning the kitchen. Using his extensive knowledge and experience, he ensured the new layout meets current and future dining expectations. The more spacious kitchen includes a dedicated sushi station, updated salad and desert prep areas, a wood-assist grill allowing infusion of hardwood-smoked flavors, and a steaminjection oven to protect against evaporative loss while allowing for high-precision cooking. What every demanding chef needs.

“I want to keep pushing the envelope,” Stendebach says. “When I started nine years ago with Mr. Hubbard, the emphasis was on filling, very hearty meals. Over the years, I’ve worked hard to cater to the essence of cuisine still favored by so many, yet in an innovative and forward-thinking progression.” An example of Stendebach’s progressiveness is his flourishing sushi menu. “I developed our sushi offerings essentially from one roll to now a very expansive program which, last season, allowed us to plate an entire 10-course Kaiseki Ryori dinner for 70 people! That’s 840 plates.”

The popularity of the Canyons Steak House since its opening has only grown.

Having a team that keeps BIGHORN in the forefront of the best clubs and communities in the world will ensure its longevity for another 20 years.

Seeing her vision come full circle after almost two decades, Hanson says, “I’m thrilled I had the chance to do it again. It’s why I’m so grateful and proud to contribute to the BIGHORN experience.”

Top: Artist Sharon Marston’s translucent bells animate the fireplace. Above: Architect Kristi Hanson first sketched the floor plan for the Steak House on a piece of scrap paper over two decades ago.

Raise a Glass

Cheers to the benefits of the BIGHORN Wine Club!

Need a place to store that bottle of 1868 Château Lafite Rothschild? It will be in fine company in the temperature-controlled, personalized wine “lockers” of the BIGHORN Wine Club at the Canyons Steak House. Naturally, a five-star private Club with a five-star restaurant has a five-star Wine Club.

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Screaming Eagle. Château Pétrus. Château d’Yquem. Biondi-Santi. Bryant Family Vineyards. Harlan Estate. All the classified firstgrowth Bordeaux. “It’s a unicorn list,” sommelier Ruan Krugel says. “It’s the who’s who of wine. If you name any wine region in the world and you say, ‘What’s the best?’ We have it.”

The Canyons Steak House makeover has been a boon for oenophiles, increasing the number of wine lockers from 102 to 138. Members on the waiting list should obtain the coveted storage locale this year.

Krugel takes pride in knowing Members’ palates and helping them build their collections. If he spots a bottle that he thinks a Member will like, he’ll buy and hold it for them, creating off-listings for his dedicated supporters.

“If I understand your preferences or you make something known to me, I will cater to that,” he says. “Our entire food and beverage team will bend over backward to accommodate somebody’s specific needs.”

The best place to sample top-shelf vintages is the annual BIGHORN Food & Wine Festival in November. The event features 36 vendors that each bring between 10 and 15 wines. Winemakers and producers come to present noteworthy vintages. Krugel sees it as an opportunity to introduce Members to new and unexpected wines. In concert with delicacies created by chef Greg Proper, Krugel curates the experience for balance, with approximately half of the wines coming from California and the rest originating around the globe.

“The wine should be telling a story that provides a sense of place,” Krugel says. “It’s a journey of discovery. For me, the wine program is a dialogue with the Members where I get to help provide the narration.”

The evolution of the Canyons Steak House mirrors this philosophy, creating a space that enhances the entire dining experience.

The remodel expands the number of wine lockers available to Members in the temperaturecontrolled space adjacent to the

private dining room at the Canyons Steak House.

PARK

AN INCOMPARABLE CLUB WITHIN A CLUB, THE VAULT SHOWCASES

PLACE

MEMBERS’ COLLECTIBLE VEHICLES AND DISTINCTIVE SOCIAL CUSTOMS.

BY RONALD AHRENS

CONFIDENT THE PLACE WILL BLOW THEIR MINDS,

Jay Westman welcomes select visitors to The Vault. To describe it as a garage would be a disservice to the impeccably appointed collectors sanctuary on Metate Place in BIGHORN Golf Club. The glitzy entryway could serve as a stage for John Travolta to sweep Olivia Newton-John into his arms and carry her to the humble Dodge Wayfarer from Grease. But like the priceless Ferrari Monza SP2 the visitors glimpse to the right, in the main gallery, the cars inside are far more exciting.

On even the warmest of afternoons, Westman, President of The Vault and longtime BIGHORN Member, wears a custom-made bomber jacket, a gift to Members of The Vault. Barely able to disguise his jubilance, he tells the story of this one-of-a-kind garage and lounge in a gravelly Alberta brogue.

The late R.D. Hubbard was co-initiator of The Vault, which was designed by architect Kristi Hanson, a frequent and favored contributor to the BIGHORN amenities landscape. It was for “Dee” Hubbard that Westman sketched out the basic plan of an exclusive car and motorcycle sanctuary. In his Kansas drawl, Hubbard responded, “Oh, great, another Member with another damn idea.”

Proof of concept is the 24,000-square-foot space that opened in 2015. Herein reside 51 collectibles on four wheels and eight two-wheelers. There are several Ferraris and other exotics, but another car of immediate note is a wowie-zowie 1958 Chevy Impala with a wild green-and-white paint job that would stop traffic and inspire new dance steps at Pico and La Cienega boulevards in Los Angeles. It belongs to “Farmer” Sam DeKruyf and his wife, Dot, BIGHORN Members for 20 years who split their time with Newport Beach.

Eager to show off the latest improvements, Westman leads the way past the racing simulator that’s in its own studio off the showroom floor. “It’s a hit among Members, and it’s also a hit among their kids,” Westman says. “We get a lot of the grandkids coming in, and they want to try it.”

Grandkids who see the nearby 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, a display item that harkens back to the dawn of the automotive era, will be amazed at the definition of motor vehicle then and now. Westman springs up the steps from the “showroom floor” to the 2,750-square-foot Redline Lounge, where the atmosphere is one of sublime ecstasy. A side table here sensationally reproduces the yellow-and-red tachometer face of Westman’s Ferrari F430. Vibrant Ferrari colors fill the space, with Bentley-inspired stitching on the custom bar seats. The logos of top European marques twinkle overhead, while two new TV screens measuring a whopping 146 and 110 inches wide deliver sporting events to patio-sitters who benefit from a redone, tiered seating arrangement for a theater-style effect with an unmatched down-valley view.

“We get quite the turnout here for Monday Night Football,” Westman says. Thanks to carefully considered airflow management, the cigar area stays almost as fresh as BIGHORN’s upper arroyos.

Hubbard spent his career building up great companies in the automotive glass industry. As a builder of houses and communities in Alberta, Westman developed a theory. “You try to commoditize the exotic,” he says. “When you can create a one-and-only, the brand stands out.”

Longtime BIGHORN

Member Jay Westman, the visionary President of The Vault, visits the Redline Lounge sporting a custommade bomber jacket gifted to Members of the exclusive club within the Club.

“Dot and I were among the first to sign up as Members of The Vault,” says DeKruyf, who stops by every few days to start his car, which has been featured in the vintage and classic car magazine Rod & Custom. When he was 17 and dating Dot, he owned a similar ’58 Impala; they’ve been married for 61 years. “It’s breathtaking — the lounge, the cars. When our large family comes down, that’s the spot. That’s the treat. At night, it really pops. It’s all Jay Westman — he’s a visionary.”

Members enter The Vault through a large bank vault door that opens to the glimmering gallery. And just look over there! A 1974 Jaguar roadster that got a custom-design makeover! Westman steps from the lounge into the sunlight pouring into the gallery and points out a new level of overhead lighting they’re testing. Then he surveys the whole space.

“If you noticed, this isn’t heritage-themed,” he says. Indeed, unlike other car museums and collections, nostalgia items and automobilia such as vintage gas pumps and neon signs are not part of the equation. “This is what we sort of see as new age.”

Each position on the main floor has an electrical supply for tricklecharging, just to keep the battery fresh enough to turn the massive V8 engine in yonder 1956 Ford Crown Victoria — another custom job. And there are lockers to store car covers, polishing supplies and personal accessories for each vehicle. In a room off the gallery, each Vault Member also has a personalized wine locker.

Full Members of The Vault have access to their cars or bikes any time, day or night. “They’re able to come in, grab their car, put another car in if they want — or drive out,” says Brett Haugen, The Vault’s full-time manager. (He evinces an unmistakable awe when talking about the one-of-a-kind Kaiser Sun Goddess that’s part of his flock.) Known as “Crew Chief,” Haugen assists Members as they come and go and facilitates service appointments when mechanics arrive or as cars are loaded onto flatbeds for visits to full-service centers. Members of The Vault can also bring guests to the Redline Lounge, a privilege that comes at a cost for regular BIGHORN Members.

A hierarchy of interested parties are lined up for open gallery spots, in case the 2022 Ford GT, for example, should betake itself to other quarters and leave a spot available. Although those opportunities are almost as rare as the cars themselves. “There are nearly 50 people trying to get their cars in right now,” laughs Westman. A Membership and coveted ‘parking space’ in The Vault comes with an exceptional price tag, but those who invested early saw a payoff. Westman compares each spot to a condominium. The first Members to buy in have doubled their money based on supply versus demand. “The pricing pressure is unbelievable because it’s so popular.”

The Vault has proved an extraordinary realization of the potential of a large, unsold lot that the Club donated as the building site. Coming back to his thought about “commoditizing the exotic,” Westman adds, “It turned out to be ideally suited for a project like this.”

Top: It’s all about the details in the Redline Lounge — right down to the Bentley driving seats.

Bottom: A close-up view of longtime BIGHORN Member

Sam DeKruyf’s 1958 Chevy Impala reveals the meticulous customization of the interior details and the exterior paint job.

2020 Ferrari Monza SP2

By design, this ultra-limited-edition speedster has no windshield or top, but Ferrari’s patented Virtual Windshield manages to gobble up and divert onrushing headwinds to keep the occupants’ coiffures intact. In theory, the faster you drive, the better it works. With a 6.5-liter V12 engine, the Monza SP2 is capable of (hold on to your hat) 186 miles per hour.

1974 Jaguar E-Type

Long and low, this Jaguar E-Type roadster came from the factory in Coventry, England gorging on a 5.3-liter V12 engine. Custom-design legend Chip Foose gave it the resto-mod treatment with a stretched rear deck and large-diameter “wire-look” chrome wheels. For greater practicality, out came the V12; in went a 525 horsepower Chevrolet V8 and automatic transmission. The Palm Copper paint is perfect against a desert backdrop.

2022 Ford GT

Any viewer of Ford v Ferrari knows the genesis of Ford Motor Company’s tradition in mid-engine super-sports coupes. The first production series for the street lasted two years, 2005 to 2006. The most recent series started in 2016 and went through 2022. The GT’s turbocharged V6 engine makes 660 horsepower, and the car can cover 3.5 miles a minute. But this denizen of The Vault shows only 31 clicks on the odometer.

1956 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria Skyliner

“My two favorite cars in here right now are Fords,” Haugen says. “I always call this color ‘root beer.’” This custom build on a rare model (only 603 Crown Victorias with the V8 engine were produced) accentuates the rooftop “tiara.” A Victoria was a certain type of 19th-century carriage ideal for outings in the park. Just in case someone else wants to get down and dirty on an El Paseo cruise night, the Crown Vic’s new 7.0-liter V8 produces 700 horsepower.

Where We

Belong

Multigenerational families weave their lives and stories into the fabric of the Club.

BY MAGGIE DOWNS

BIGHORN has always been more than a premier golf and residential Club. It is a tradition steeped in legacy.

Renowned for its breathtaking scenery and generous amenities, this innovative Club trailblazes above the rest. Yet what truly distinguishes BIGHORN is the profound sense of community and family among its Members. Its allure lies in the warmth and camaraderie of the people who call it home and the bonds that are formed, as much as in the generous offerings.

BIGHORN is a place where families create lasting memories, forge meaningful connections and, in the case of the Corliss, Grinzewitsch and Dulcich families, cultivate legacies that span generations.

Michael and Lauri Corliss made BIGHORN the hub for their family of five adult children and six grandchildren. Their 33-year-old son Eben, who was six when his parents planted roots at the Club, purchased a home and became a Member in 2021.

THE CORLISS FAMILY

Eben Corliss has been coming to BIGHORN long enough that he remembers ordering chocolate milkshakes at the Men’s Locker Room bar, the place where he now sips margaritas.

Eben was only six years old when his dad, Michael Corliss, became a BIGHORN Member, so the Club is intertwined with many of his childhood memories, from swimming at the Clubhouse pool to celebrating the holidays at the Club’s epic festivities.

The story of the Corliss family at BIGHORN begins in 1995 with Michael and Lauri’s first Mountains side homesite and collaboration with developer and late Member Mike Fedderly. Today, they enjoy watching their daughter, Sydney McColl, and her husband, Tom, raise their two granddaughters at the Club.

“The fishing derby was probably the highlight of the year for me,” he says, reminiscing about those early years. “We were so excited about going to the various ponds to see what we could catch.”

The family’s history at BIGHORN began in 1995, when Michael worked with BIGHORN Broker Associate Lorna Ball to invest in his first homesite on the Mountains side, then closely collaborated with developer and late BIGHORN Member Mike Fedderly to bring his vision to life.

“I remember [Michael] telling stories about how he chose BIGHORN, which at the time was a big gamble because it was owned by Westinghouse and there weren’t many homes here,” says Michael’s wife, Lauri Corliss. It was a bold risk, she says, but Michael could already see what this oasis in the desert’s foothills would become.

“And then I remember the very first trip to BIGHORN,” Lauri recalls. “It’s such a magical place. Everyone’s just so happy. You drive through the gate, and everyone’s smiling, and everyone waves.”

Decades later, BIGHORN is now the hub for their bustling family life, with five adult children ranging in age from 28 to 35. All are married, with the recent wedding of Eben and Sarah Corliss. The Corlisses also enjoy six grandchildren, with another on the way.

Their family is closely knit not just personally but professionally too, as nearly all their children work in the family’s diverse business ventures. Starting with real estate, their enterprise expanded to include the Corliss Vineyard in Walla Walla, Washington, which is managed by their eldest daughter and farmed to exacting standards. The vineyard practices sustainable viticulture to produce site-specific wines — cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, malbec, and petit verdot as well as smaller amounts of syrah, grenache, Mourvèdre, and cinsault.

Michael and Lauri grew their businesses into a successful brand. Planting roots at BIGHORN was another opportunity.

The family loved the location of their BIGHORN home, which sits up high and offers magnificent down-valley views, but as their family expanded, they sought a blueprint large enough to accommodate

multiple generations at once. So they purchased another home at BIGHORN to stay on property while the original home undergoes major renovations.

“We’re in it for the future,” Lauri says. “The important thing about this new house is that it has to be big enough for all the grandkids, and to grow with the family.”

When their five children were young, the family alternated weekends between BIGHORN and their home in Washington. Now they stay for long stretches, often for the entirety of the season. Two of their children now own their own homes at BIGHORN, while the others still visit frequently for holidays, family gatherings, or community fun.

In particular, they’re fans of The Vault, where Mike and Lauri keep their 1954 Kaiser Sun Goddess, a one-of-a-kind turquoise hardtop concept car.

“The Vault’s a fun gathering spot,” Lauri laughs. “We find ourselves going there frequently, just popping in for a quick glass of wine and mingling with other people. It’s been a really nice enhancement to our BIGHORN experience.”

Their daughter, Sydney McColl, recently relocated from Hong Kong to the United States with her husband Tom and two children. Upon returning, the family decided to make their home in BIGHORN.

Tom, a talented golfer, even won the Men’s BIGDEAL in 2024.

She fondly remembers digging through the closet to find winter clothes for the Club’s annual Blizzard Blast snow day event, dressing up for the Luau at the original Clubhouse, and winning trophies at junior golf competitions.

“We are really loving living here, bringing our girls here, and making the kind of memories I had growing up,” McColl says.

This multigenerational bond is what makes BIGHORN more than just a golf club.

“There’s a feeling when you come here that you’re at home,” McColl says, “and having my own children here brings that full circle.”

After going away to college and beginning his career, Sydney’s brother Eben, now 33, has realized the value that comes from being part of BIGHORN. He purchased a home and became a Member himself in 2021.

“It’s more of a relaxed community, filled with Members who have done interesting things,” he says. “This is a place that makes you just want to be here to be social and meet other people.”

Generations of families like the Corlisses experience milestones here. From the joy of youthful competitions to the serenity of mature gatherings, BIGHORN provides a backdrop for life’s most cherished moments.

“To me, one of the biggest things is having the BIGHORN family here,” Eben says. “Many of the employees have been here for 10, 20, 30 years, and seeing the same faces every year and having people know your name, that’s something rare and special.”

Top: Michael and Lauri Corliss revel in the natural beauty of the BIGHORN landscape.

THE GRINZEWITSCH AND DULCICH FAMILIES

George Grinzewitsch Jr., the affable owner of the Von Housen Automotive Group in Sacramento, believes every club has its own DNA and that BIGHORN is infused with a strong sense of connection, forging close-knit relationships and a welcoming atmosphere for all Members.

“It’s a place without all the pretense,” he says. “I recall looking at other clubs, and nothing against them, but I just liked the culture and ethos of BIGHORN. This is where you can be yourself.”

The Grinzewitsch family’s BIGHORN story began about 20 years ago when George Jr. joined friends at the Club for a round of golf. He was instantly smitten with the dramatic mountain setting, the friendliness of the Members and the first-class amenities, including the impressive Canyons Steak House. (“Not too many country clubs have a world-class steakhouse, you know,” he says as an aside.) It wasn’t long before George Jr. became a Member, purchasing a villa on the Canyons side and making frequent trips from Sacramento to BIGHORN.

The passing of George Jr.’s father in 2007 was the impetus for bringing his Northern California–based family to the desert. First, he facilitated his mother’s move to BIGHORN. Eventually, to keep the family unit close together, George Jr. purchased the home next door.

Left: George Grinzewitsch Jr. became a BIGHORN Member shortly after visiting the Club to play a round of golf with friends 20 years ago. His son, George III, convinced his in-laws, including Peter Dulcich (right), to join the Club in time to welcome George IV.

He describes the property as “an ultra-modern space, and it’s filled with sunlight.” George Jr. appreciates that the home overlooks the 4th tee box — a reminder to take things easy and maintain work-life balance. “It feels like a vortex of some sort. It’s good for the attitude.”

In December 2022, George Jr. sold three of his Greater Sacramentoarea Mercedes-Benz dealerships. That allowed for more frequent, and much appreciated time at BIGHORN over the past couple of seasons. Now, he’s at work on another dealership project.

“The good thing for me about being at BIGHORN is that it’s a very relaxed atmosphere,” he says. “From the top down, the employees are so welcoming, and everybody makes this a fun and friendly place.”

A single father, George Jr. spent valuable time with his two children at BIGHORN. His son, George Grinzewitsch III, developed a passion for golf and was junior player of the year at 14. Now a BIGHORN Member himself, George III has continued to excel, becoming the Club’s Golf Champion two of the last four years.

The sense of family and community at BIGHORN has extended even further. In anticipation of the birth of his first child, George III encouraged his in-laws to join — and they did earlier this year. “It’s quite the family affair,” George Jr. says with pride, eager to introduce new grandson (George IV) to his first season at BIGHORN.

Peter Dulcich is the co-owner of Delano, California–based J. Dulcich & Sons, which grows its proprietary Pretty Lady grape variety, one of the most beloved grape brands in the world. He’s also the father of George III’s wife, Antoinette, and shares their enthusiasm about BIGHORN.

“I just fell in love with the place,” Dulcich says. “I thought it would be a great place for our family and the Grinzewitsch family to be united. I could envision us sharing holidays together, going out to dinner, playing golf and keeping everyone together.”

Dulcich recalls how he looked at three houses, selected one and joined that evening.

“It was one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever made,” he says. “When I got to BIGHORN, there was so much energy and light. You pick up on everybody’s joy and happiness. It’s like there’s a great sense of peace that surrounds the property.”

For the extended Grinzewitsch family, BIGHORN is a sanctuary that bridges joy across generations. George Jr.’s initial attraction to BIGHORN’s culture and ethos has grown into a multigenerational legacy. His mother, children, and now his son’s in-laws all find comfort and community within BIGHORN’s welcoming embrace — where every visit feels like coming home.

“Every time I go, I feel like this is where I belong,” Dulcich says.

A fixture at the Club for two decades, George Grinzewitsch Jr. keeps the family unit — his mom, his son, daughter-inlaw and her parents — happy together at BIGHORN.

McCALLUM THEATRE

Just minutes away from BIGHORN Golf

The McCallum Theatre is the cultural jewel of the Coachella Valley, bringing worldclass artistry to its beautiful 1,100 seat venue and providing performing arts educational experiences to local youth.

Club

Our visionary Board of Trustee includes BIGHORN members: Robert Archer, Alan Bender, Harold Gershowitz, Henry Levy, Harold Matzner, Barbara Hankey Rogers, Robert Stonehill

Thirty-nine BIGHORN Members are McCallum Theatre Founders and Benefactors

Our generous members at this level enjoy:

• Personally-handled priority ticketing

• Access to the Gerald R. Ford Founders Room

• Recognition on the Circle of Friends Wall

• Complimentary valet parking

• Invitations to Exclusive Founder Events

The 2024-2025 McCallum Season boasts a stellar line-up of artists, including: Brian Stokes Mitchell, Judy Collins, Leslie Odom Jr., Kelli O’Hara as well as Broadway Shows.

Yvonne Bell, Senior Vice President of Development (760) 346-6505, Ext. 136 ybell@mccallum-theatre.org

For the full 2024-2025 season schedule, visit the McCallum Theatre website at www.McCallumTheatre.org

Seen at the Club

Memorable moments from our most recent season.

BIGHORN Golf Club presents more than 100 special events throughout the year — from golf, tennis and pickleball tournaments and clinics, to performances by GRAMMY AWARD®–winning artists, and masterclasses in “wining” like a Somm! Members, their families and friends play, socialize and even pick up a specialized skill or two.

“We have something for everybody in the family!” shares BIGHORN Director of Events Claudia Vasquez. Along with Banquets Manager Arturo Perez and Catering Sales Manager Diana Luna, the BIGHORN events teams produce an elaborate array of unforgettable experiences for the Club, as well as private events for Members, such as weddings, birthday and anniversary parties and even Super Bowl soirees.

“Events in BIGHORN always surpass our expectations,” says Joo Yu, a Golf Member since 2017. “The production and creativity are sophisticated and refined down to the smallest details.”

Here, we showcase social highlights from our most recent season.

WELCOME HOME PARTY

The lively and unforgettable evening affair celebrates the homecoming of Members with eye-popping entertainment and captivating cuisine that sets a spirited tone for the entire season.

BIGHORN GOLF CLUB CHARITIES

Events throughout the season support BIGHORN Golf Club Charities, which encourage education through scholarships (BIGHORN Scholarships), advance cancer care (BIGHORN Behind A Miracle) and uplift local nonprofit organizations (BIGHORN Cares) in the Coachella Valley and beyond. Together, Members help empower our community, enhance lives, and foster hope.

FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

Members look forward to the world-class BIGHORN Food & Wine Festival, featuring hundreds of wines from around the globe and gourmet delicacies curated by BIGHORN’s talented Chef Greg Proper. Cheers!

WINE DINNERS

BIGHORN’s famous wine dinners are a masterclass in pairing, with the world’s best winemakers serving as hosts alongside our talented sommelier.

MEN’S BIGDEAL

Spirited competition, fabulous food, and three days and nights of unforgettable entertainment come together for the Men’s BIGDEAL, one of the most anticipated events of the year. This Member-guest extravaganza fosters friendship, rivalry and often an investment in BIGHORN.

LADIES BIGDEAL

The Ladies BIGDEAL combines all the best of BIGHORN. This multi-day event includes a competitive three-day golf tournament, popular pairings party and post-horse race Champagne celebration.

WINTER HOLIDAYS

BIGHORN produces 150 tons of snow to carve Blizzard Blast’s toboggan trails — part of a winter carnival on the Mountains Driving Range. The Club’s Holiday Tree Lighting has also become a family favorite, as carolers, sweet snacks and dazzling lights delight!

SPRING BREAK

Springtime at BIGHORN brings candy-coated fun to the Easter Eggstravaganza, spirit to the party at Family Fiesta, and groovy vibes to the Neon Family Festival, the Club’s own music festival, replete with games and a giant Ferris wheel.

The Kids Are Alright

Families take center stage at BIGHORN, where amenities and events make children and grandchildren feel right at home.

BY STEVEN BILLER

IT’S HARD TO PICTURE kids having the time of their lives at most golf clubs, but BIGHORN offers more than the glorious game — it’s a Club and community focused on the whole family. The dynamic environment at BIGHORN encourages families to grow and create enduring friendships and memories, with events and programs that enhance a terrific childhood experience.

One event that’s always snowballing in popularity is the annual Blizzard Blast. The Club produces 150 tons of snow to create a winter wonderland and carnival for kids. Even adults revert to childhood. Members toboggan down five trails on the Mountains Driving Range, zipline across the beautiful setting, play laser tag and revel in the games and carnival rides in an atmosphere created for the kid in everyone.

The holidays become brighter, as everyone sees through the eyes of a child. BIGHORN makes it happen. Scrooges, don’t even think about it.

Sports-minded young ones enjoy the golf and tennis programs, particularly when they’re on vacation from school.

The BIGHORN Junior Golf Program is one of the best in the nation at the private club level. The Club’s dedicated Director of Junior Golf Instruction Bill Madonna is recognized by U.S. Kids Golf as a “Top 50 Kids Teacher in America” for his natural gift in instructing young golfers — many of whom have played at collegiate and professional levels over his tenure.

The Junior Golf Program accommodates players of varying skill levels, providing a package that includes 15 hours of lessons, complimentary play and BIGHORN Bucks, awarded for winning competitions and for their effort and attention during lessons and activities. The kids save or spend their prize money around the Club, usually at The Marketplace.

“Bill makes golf fun,” says Geeman Yip. Yip and his wife, Magdalena, became Golf Members in 2021. Their children, Ella, 10, and Sofia, 13, have been part of the Junior Golf Program for the last three years. “They love playing golf. None of us had ever touched a golf ball until we became Members. I never thought any of us would ever like golf!”

Director of Racquet Sports Andrew Minnelli organizes junior tennis and pickleball events during the holidays and spring break. Serious players can also take private lessons and participate in interclub competitions.

In addition to the range of events and sports pursuits, young ones also enjoy amenities such as the Kiddin’ Around Play Park, located next to The Marketplace and Mountains Dog Park. The kids park offers a shaded jungle gym with a junior putting green and other games and rides surrounded by soft, water-efficient artificial turf. Kids often arrive on their bikes and scooters, then gather on the back patio with ice cream, soft-serve frozen yogurt and other snacks from The Marketplace.

Young ones look forward to participating in the Parent-Junior Golf Tournament as well as the Club’s annual, fun-loving Blizzard Blast.

“We always want our Members to have activities with their families,” says Director of Events Claudia Vasquez, a veteran planner with a sharp sense of how to entertain families and kids. Vasquez created the Neon Family Festival, the Club’s own version of the annual music festivals in the Coachella Valley, garnished with all the festive flourishes, including a Ferris wheel and giant slide.

“Younger couples help create a lively, energetic community,” offers Chairman John H. Beury III, noting that 120 school-aged children call the Club home at least part of the year. “The programs, activities and events for children create a sense of belonging.”

BIGHORN also makes the 21- to 40-year-old children of Members feel at home, designating special tables for them at the Club’s annual Welcome Home Party and hosting annual “next-gen” parties — including one at The Vault — where they can mingle and meet new friends. An unofficial group text is also active, where younger Members check in to see who’s at the Club at any given time.

Serving up strong tennis and golf programs, the jam-packed calendar of events, and a smorgasbord of activities is all part of the BIGHORN family experience, and guess what? Kids are not only welcome — they’re the stars of the show!

BOOK GROUP

BIGHORN’s Book Group brings Members together for engaging discussions on captivating titles and authors. With lively conversations and shared insights, this gathering celebrates the joy of reading and the bonds formed over a love for literature.

COURT SPORTS

Tennis and pickleball players come together for instructional clinics, round-robin and interclub competitions and even star-studded annual fantasy camps on the courts at BIGHORN.

ROUNDUP

Stetsons, westernwear and down-home country vibes prevailed at the Club’s hoedown on the eve of the last round of the BIGHORN RoundUp MemberMember Golf Tournament. Drinks, music from The Frontmen and line dancing whipped Members into the spirit of the occasion.

BIGHORN Abroad

Members take to the high seas for an international travel experience.

BY STEVEN BILLER

THE LONGTIME TRADITION of BIGHORN Members traveling abroad is back! BIGHORN Abroad brings Members together for an off-season cruise, reigniting the fun-loving camaraderie they experience in the desert.

“I love getting together with our friends off campus,” Carmen Nokes says of her trips with fellow BIGHORN Members. “It’s lovely to see our favorite people and make new friends. It’s a more personal experience to bond with each other. When you’re on the cruise

together, you discover even more things that you have in common.” Nokes, a Golf Member since 2003, has traveled to Africa and Amsterdam with fellow Club Members.

“We’ve done many BIGHORN trips,” reminisces Chairman John H. Beury III, recalling visits to South America, the Black Sea, Italy and Croatia. “The Black Sea was very interesting. That was right before the Winter Olympics. Our most recent cruise went from Malta to Rome. This next one will start in France and go down the coast of Spain, including Monte Carlo to Mallorca.”

Members learn authentic cooking during one of the many enrichment classes and activities available to guests on the cruise.

This summer, Members will board a new cruise liner with 50 cabins, eight of which are suites. The yacht accommodates 100 guests and almost as many staff.

“We charter the ship,” Beury continues, “so it’s filled with all of our BIGHORN Members. Of course, everybody will want their pick of rooms, with the suites in high demand! We’ll find a great way to get everyone what they want.”

Once onboard, Members have many choices to fill their itinerary — from authentic cooking classes to shopping and golf outings. Additionally, the staff’s service and attention to detail measures up to the standard set at BIGHORN. “It’s not just another cruise,” Beury says.

“Indeed,” Nokes confirms, “we know that anything organized by BIGHORN is going to be carefully considered in every aspect.”

This is How

Members realize their dreams in residences tailored to their unique lifestyles.

BY LISA MARIE HART

We Live

WHAT’S ON YOUR WISH LIST? That is one of the first, and most important, questions that each member of the sales team with BIGHORN Properties will ask a prospective buyer of a BIGHORN home. The answer is always revelatory and provides the sales associate with almost everything needed to identify a property that both excites and exceeds the buyer’s expectations.

Inasmuch as BIGHORN sales associates exclusively sell homes within the BIGHORN community, their knowledge base is unsurpassed, and they are intimately familiar with every home at BIGHORN. When they understand the buyer’s preferences for size, number of bedrooms, location, view and price range, they’re adept at matching the buyer to the ideal home and describing how a property could be modified or remodeled to exactly meet their needs. Understanding a buyer and his or her preferences is typically only the starting point in a buyer’s real estate investment

and long-lasting relationship with BIGHORN, its vaunted lifestyle and the sales associate who brought them together.

Associates Lorna Ball, Jacquie Burns, and Trevor Printz — led by Carl Cardinalli, Director of Sales — are so appreciative and pleased to represent and present so many residential options within BIGHORN that are tailored to different lifestyles and stages of life. This manifests at BIGHORN in the many families that have purchased multiple homes over their years in residence as they experience and adapt to the evolving needs of their lives.

“We are a generational Club with a commitment to legacy,” Ball says. “The availability to choose between a villa, a custom home or a homesite continues to drive the multigenerational legacy of our homeowners. Plus, all of us have been here long enough to experience the changes of our homeowners’ needs and have assisted in finding them their next opportunity within BIGHORN.”

CUSTOM HOMES

Custom homes awaken the thrill of discovery and limitless possibilities. These sprawling estates represent a vision fulfilled. Homes in an array of styles may resonate with a buyer at first sight, from move-in-spectacular to those yearning for a dramatic transformation.

Built from the ground up, and typically conceptualized by renowned architects, these larger homes with expansive grounds lend themselves to all the “bells and whistles” associated with luxury. Custom wet bars and wine rooms, theater rooms, detached guest houses and integrated outdoor living that blurs the space between inside and out find their rightful places in this style of home.

“Once you enter the custom realm, whatever you can imagine can most likely be achieved,” Burns says. “Consider the quality time spent in your own movie theater or exciting game room with custom pool table and golf simulator adjacent to a bar or separate kitchen — the perfect setting for family get-togethers.”

Members who initially invest in a villa and start enjoying the lifestyle the community and Club offer often find that their frequency and duration of visits significantly increase. Mix in the frequency of family and guest visits, and villa owners are soon looking to be custom homeowners.

Custom homes range from approximately 3,500 to well over 20,000 square feet.

Members pursue custom homes to realize their wildest fantasies in architecture and interior design. Luxurious wet bars, wine rooms, home theaters, detached guest accommodations and glorious outdoor living spaces distinguish these stunning properties.

The freestanding villa homes, available on the Mountains and Canyons sides, offer the full BIGHORN Golf Club experience in a more intimate footprint that ranges from 2,300 to 4,400 square feet.

VILLAS

These freestanding, semi-custom homes offer the total BIGHORN experience of outdoor living and entertainment in a more intimate layout. In some cases, less landscape and square footage to maintain ensures an easy level of manageability, appealing to those who might plan shorter visits.

The villas also exemplify the Club’s origin story. BIGHORN was conceived by its previous owner as a homesite development. That changed when R.D. Hubbard, BIGHORN’s recognized and revered founder, bought the development and promoted and invested in a series of neighborhoods of luxurious villas. The villas, designed by

a variety of architects and offering rich appointments and finishes, gave BIGHORN buyers an immediate entrée into enjoying the Club’s golf courses, amenities, and surroundings. “It’s amazing to see how some of these homes have been beautifully updated,” Printz adds. Some buyers find the villas a perfect complement to their lifestyle and enjoyment of BIGHORN. Others enjoy the experience for a while and then decide to springboard into larger homes or enjoy villa-living while they build their custom home.

Integrated on both the Mountains and Canyons sides, villas range from approximately 2,300 to 4,400 square feet.

HOMESITES

For those excited and motivated by a blank canvas of pristine BIGHORN terrain, creating a masterpiece on a homesite promises a unique adventure of bold and epic proportions. These homesites can offer an assortment of locations and views, including golf course frontage, lake frontage, or, in rare cases, both. For the more adventurous “developer at heart,” the perch of a mountain estate homesite benched into the Santa Rosa Mountains offers unparalleled views and a backdrop like no other.

“These homesites took years to develop through relationships with the city of Palm Desert and various conservancy organizations,” Cardinalli offers. “These sites cannot be duplicated anywhere else in the Coachella Valley, making them the true gems of the desert.”

As BIGHORN continues its ascent in stature and prestige, fewer undeveloped homesites remain available. The discerning investor or individual seeking a one-of-a-kind location and setting to build a custom living environment better strike quickly.

In BIGHORN, the potential awaits around every corner whether a buyer seeks a large home, a more accommodating floor plan, a different architectural style, or the simple change of scenery inherent in a new view. A variety of BIGHORN’s existing homes offer an extraordinary opportunity for renovation and innovation. These homes have great “bones,” finished with high quality materials in desirable locations around the community. Many current residents have taken advantage of this opportunity. As a result, after minimal or significant renovation, they have realized the home of their dreams. Although the properties themselves are limited, opportunities to create are endless.

Discerning and adventurous individuals seeking one-of-a-kind location can identify sites with golf course or lake frontage to develop a custom home with almost any amenity imaginable.

Left: Carl Cardinalli, Director of Sales, and Associates

Jacquie Burns, Lorna Ball, and Trevor Printz.