Destinations
New Energy at Classic Club
Premier Venue Bustles with Putts, Pucks, and AWARD-WINNING Dining
By Judd Spicer
Situated in sunny Palm Desert, Calif., Classic Club is on a serious upswing. Nearing its 20th anniversary, the Arnold Palmer Signature design and former co-host of the PGA Tour’s annual American Express desert stop, one major reason is the facility’s public-access grounds continue to maintain a private club feel.
“It’s about exceeding that expectation for the guest,” said Head Golf Professional Derek Mazzoni. “When I arrived three years ago, Classic Club had already established itself as one of the top public courses in an area with a lot of great golf options. Continually elevating the expectations of the guests, I was tasked with enhancing the experience even further, ensuring each guest felt that impact.”
Along with shepherding the founding philanthropic mission of nonprofit owner, the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, which sees the course host thousands of charitable rounds a year, the game’s post-pandemic popularity isn’t lost on the head pro.
“Obviously, golf has been booming in the past three years,” enthused Mazzoni. “And as we’ve come out of the pandemic, that has also found people traveling again and people coming back out to the valley. And with golf on such a high, it’s about figuring out what we can do to provide that little bit extra.”
With its 63,000-square-foot, tri-story Tuscan-inspired clubhouse standing sentry over a championship golfscape of flora unlike any other across the golf-rich Coachella Valley, Classic Club’s accolade as 2022 GreensKeeper.org winner for “Best Playing Conditions in Southern California” is well deserved. Equally impressive is a focus on offering premier instruction.
“With the talented PGA professionals on staff, a goal of ours is to put Classic Club on the map when it comes to specialized instruction at a world-class facility,” Mazzoni said. “Being a public facility, many people aren’t aware of the expansive player development programs we offer, which include a three-day golf school that features 10-plus hours of personalized instruction on and off the course, lunch at the awarded Bellatrix Restaurant, and daily afternoon tee times.”
Part of the accredited staff is David Curtis, a sought-after instructor who works at multiple Troon facilities in Northern and Southern California throughout the year. “Classic Club’s expansive practice facilities offer the ability to practice each and every shot you’ll be exposed to on course, and is an invaluable asset to be able to provide the student during instruction,” Curtis said.
Classic Cuisine and More
Whether it’s finishing a playing lesson on course or the final putt falling on the 18th green capping a tense wager, “The player coming off the course is going to feel right at home in the bar, counting up the scores and having a drink with a game on in the background,” Mazzoni said. “And Bellatrix Restaurant has long gone under par with its wine list.”
Director of Food and Beverage Anthony Nespoli shared, “Bellatrix has been awarded ‘Best of Award of Excellence’ by Wine Spectator each of the past four years. I’m not aware of any other golf-related property in the area which also has this recognition.”
Be it a post-round snack or an evening of upscale casual, the dining diversity at Bellatrix continues to be among the most unique clubhouse menus in all of SoCal.
“For those guests who come back for an evening meal, it is an elegant, elevated dining experience which most golf facilities, public or private, aren’t going to be able to offer,” Nespoli conveyed. “It’s very unique for a golf property to offer the public a stand-alone restaurant with such elevated quality of steaks, seafood, and seasonal fare that rivals the equally high expectations as that of the golf on property.”
Bellatrix Restaurant not only attracts those in search of a memorable dining experience but also excels in event hosting. With its expansive grounds and multiple banquet facilities, hosting events in style, from small business luncheons to large outdoor weddings, comes naturally to Bellatrix and its team.
Such singularity of scope has enjoyed heightened popularity across the past year with the unveiling of Classic Club’s new neighbor, state-of-the-art Acrisure Arena.
Debuted at the close of 2022 and built on land owned by the Berger Foundation, the bustling arena schedule has brought to Palm Desert a full slate of games for the Acrisure’s regular tenant, the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the American Hockey League, along with an ongoing marquee of events and concerts including the likes of Chris Rock, Dave Chapelle, Adam Sandler, The Eagles, Harry Styles, Madonna, Peter Gabriel, and Lizzo.
Enhancing the half-billion-dollar arena’s debut season, the Firebirds were crowned 2022-23 Western Conference Champions and came within a goal of an AHL title. The burgeoning vibe has created an entirely new clientele for Classic Club, both day and night.
“Classic Club is a sports and entertainment facility,” commented Greg Rubino, the club’s GM/COO. “So now, with our new neighbors and all the great concerts and events — and all the success the Firebirds had in their inaugural season — people are coming in for a few drinks, a nice bottle of wine, or a great dinner before a concert, or a hockey game.
“It’s been incredible to see what they’ve brought to the arena, which has been very exciting for the area and for us,” Rubino concluded. “We’re staffed and ready around game or concert nights, excited to welcome those to enjoy our property before heading to Acrisure.”
AT-A-GLANCE
Classic Club | Palm Desert, Calif. | (760) 601-3600 | www.ClassicClubGolf.com
