Pro Golf Now
Fansided

Golf Courses: A look at the Most Exclusive in America

By Eric Sedransk

AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 09: Amateur Bryson DeChambeau hits his tee shot on the 12th hole during the third round of the 2016 Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2016 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images for Golfweek)
AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 09: Amateur Bryson DeChambeau hits his tee shot on the 12th hole during the third round of the 2016 Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2016 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images for Golfweek) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 11
Next
JERSEY CITY, NJ – SEPTEMBER 28: (L-R) Former U.S. President Barack Obama, Former U.S. President George W. Bush and former U.S. President Bill Clinton attend the trophy presentation prior to Thursday foursome matches of the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club on September 28, 2017 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
JERSEY CITY, NJ – SEPTEMBER 28: (L-R) Former U.S. President Barack Obama, Former U.S. President George W. Bush and former U.S. President Bill Clinton attend the trophy presentation prior to Thursday foursome matches of the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club on September 28, 2017 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Sunnylands,

Rancho Mirage, California

The Greater Palm Springs area is a golfing paradise. As of this writing there are 121 golf courses to choose from. Among the abundance of golf courses available there are many highly ranked super exclusive courses that most of us will never have the opportunity to play.

But one of the 121 stands alone for being one of the most exclusive golf course in the country.

Sunnylands Golf Course in Rancho Mirage, CA is within The Annenberg Retreat, or as most people like to call it, Camp David West.

There are few ways of getting a tee time at Sunnylands. For one you could become President of the United States or even a member of his cabinet. For everyone else, you’ll have to know one.

Even the most exclusive courses will open their doors through reciprocals from your home club, but Sunnyland’s doesn’t have members, a head professional or even a golf staff. So getting an invite is difficult to say the least.

The course was built in 1964 by Dick Wilson (Pine Tree, Bay Hill, Bidermann) for media mogul Walter Annenberg and his wife as part of their private estate.

Superintendent Drew Kerr is the man in charge. However when players come to town Kerr supplies the course with caddies, as well as a Head Professional.

The course only has 8 corridors and 8 green complexes. However, Wilson designed the layout to be played 3 different ways, each of which replicating an 18 hole round. A player will likely hit into the same green 2-3 times, but from such varied angles and lengths that the green complexes can feel completely different.

“The Historic Experience” favored by the Annenberg’s measures a modest 5869 yards. However, the course can stretch to a championship length of 7228 yards. The course is typical Wilson, with immensely challenging, sloping greens surrounded by deep sand bunkers.

So if you’re keen on getting a tee time at Sunnylands you better prepare for the 2020 election!

Home/Courses