Arnold Palmer

Arnold Palmer’s extraordinary vision for this majestic setting created one of the finest courses in the world.

The California desert was always a special place for Arnold Palmer. Nowhere else in the world did The King have more success in golf than in the desert, including his five victories in the Bob Hope Desert Classic.

When a special site in La Quinta became available in the mid-1990s, Palmer knew it was a unique opportunity to design a remarkable course. Upon its completion in 1997, Palmer proclaimed Tradition a crown jewel, and explained:

“The majestic setting is so special. The topography is excellent. There are dramatic elevation changes, and I like how many of the holes flow along the base of the mountains. We built a strategic, championship-caliber course which presents a very exciting test of golf. It’s fun and challenging, but it’s not overly challenging. And it’s absolutely beautiful, especially the flowers and water features. It’s the kind of course you never tire of playing. The fairways are reasonably wide, the greens receptive and fast, and the views are spectacular.”