Our History
"HISTORY AT PLAY"
Ernie Dunlevie and Ray Ryan developed Bermuda Dunes. The name "Bermuda Dunes" was selected in an attempt to create a "different" name among places in the desert. Mr. Ray owned property in Jamaica, and they chose the name "Bermuda" to celebrate the island culture. Construction started on February 14, 1958. The instruction to the famous golf course designer, Billy Bell Jr. was as follows: “Make the course long enough to test the professionals but make the fairways wide enough so that the average golfer will not always be out of bounds or in hazard.”
A lot of history has been made at Bermuda Dunes. The Club has participated in 50 of the Bob Hope Classic Tournaments. It was the site of Arnold Palmer’s first Classic win in 1960 as well as his last PGA Tour win in 1973. Celebrities and professionals from around the world have played the “traditional classic” style course, but true to Billy Bell’s instructions for design, it is also a course that is ideal for all kinds of golfers.
Hollywood celebrities Clark Gable, Cary Grant, William Holden, Eddie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds, Patti Page and Bill Gargan were among the first property owners in the Bermuda Dunes home development, no doubt drawn like others to the views of towering palms, sparkling freshwater lakes, desert terrain and the snow-capped peaks of the San Jacinto Mountains.
What the Pros say about Bermuda Dunes Country Club:
“This is a great course. It makes you play every shot.” - Phil Mickelson
“I could play this course every day.” - Davis Love III
“I always look forward to playing Bermuda Dunes. The classic design is one of the best anywhere.” - Fred Couples