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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) /
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COACHELLA VALLEY, CA – AUGUST 10: A Golf course in the Palm Desert district which is utilising the natural desert landscape alongside its greens in an effort to save water by having less grass to sustain, on August 10, 2009 in the Coachella Valley, California. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images)
COACHELLA VALLEY, CA – AUGUST 10: A Golf course in the Palm Desert district which is utilising the natural desert landscape alongside its greens in an effort to save water by having less grass to sustain, on August 10, 2009 in the Coachella Valley, California. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images) /

Porcupine Creek, Rancho Mirage, California

In the early 2000’s billionaire Tim Blixseth decided to build his own private golf course just outside Palm Springs, CA. A mere 3.8 mile drive southwest of Sunnylands lies this immensely private track.

With the help of friends Annika Sorenstam, Tom Weiskopf and Dave Stockton (and apparently several U.S. President’s), Blixseth built a championship golf course that as the round progresses evokes the feel of different places in the country. The start is similar to many courses in the Coachella Valley, however the course unfolds like a storybook, taking its players to Hawaii, Arizona and even to the Pacific Northwest through creative design.

Rumor has it that Porcupine Creek allowed golf course raters to see the course during its 2004 opening, however when word got out that the course was rated outside of the top 10 in the state (a tall order considering the wealth of great golf courses in California) Porcupine Creek banned all outside play. However the course was rated as high at #13 in the state; an accomplishment that should not be taken lightly.

Blixseth was also the founder of the famed Yellowstone Club, however after failing to pay $57 million in state income taxes he was forced to declare bankruptcy. His once estimated net worth of $1.3B in 2007 was all but wiped away by 2014.

In 2011 Larry Ellison (Oracle) purchased the property for $42.9 million.

Not much is known about the golf course these days as very few people (outside of Barack Obama) are known to have played it. However, if you’re looking to catch a glimpse while you’re in town consider hiking up the Bump and Grind Trail that rises into the mountains overhanging the golf course for a bird’s-eye view of one of the country’s most exclusive tracks.

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