Travel: La Quinta Means Luxury Golf Retreat

La Quinta Resort & Club is Palm Springs area's oldest resort having opened in 1926. There is nothing antiquated, however, about this beautiful and luxurious facility.

Nestled in a natural cove created by the Santa Rosa Mountains, the resort is located in the Coachella Valley within minutes of Palm Springs. "La Quinta" means essentially the Country Retreat--a name, which accurately connotes the serene and hospitable atmosphere.

The classic mission style architecture has been maintained throughout the evolving additions and enhancements. Accommodations are provided by guest casitas, a Spanish style cottage, many complete with fireplaces and private patios. The casitas are located around courtyards with each courtyard having its own swimming pool and hot spa.

Resort guests receive preferred access to the four resort courses, two at La Quinta and two at PGA West.

The La quinta courses are the Mountain Course and the Dunes Course, both Pete Dye designs. The Dunes Course is the original La Quinta course, the 17th hole of which is rated one of the 18th toughest holes in golf by the PGA of America. The Mountain Course, a venue for the Senior Skins Game, is stunningly picturesque. The fairways extend to the feet of the Santa Rosa Mountains, which rise immediately, and abruptly to form an unforgiving perimeter.

The PGA West courses are the Jack Nicklaus-designed TPC Stadium Golf Course at PGA West, the original home of the Skins Game. Both of these courses use the convention of nameing holes. Examples at the TPC Stadium Golf Course are Craters, Quarry, Moat, Cavern, San Andreas Fault and Alcatraz, the site of Lee Trevino's dramatic hole-in-one during the Skins game. Holes to be found at the Jack Nicholas Tournament Course include Jacks or Better, Jack's Revenge, Fatal Attraction and Bear Trap.

All of the courses are immaculately groomed and, while challenging, can be played and enjoyed by golfers of disparate skill and experience. While Michigan golfers are not unaccustomed to great natural beauty on their courses, the mountains, palm trees, cacti, road runners, coyotes and distinctive southwestern architecture of the condominium developments all add up to a captivating environment.

In addition to the golf facilities the Resort offers a tennis club with 30 courts featuring hard, grass and clay surfaces, 10 of which are lighted for night play.

Completing the retreat experience, Spa La Quinta, a 23,000 square foot facility, opened in 1998. It is a spa that is state-of-the-art in terms of amenities and guest services.

La Quinta Resort is owned and operated by KSL Recreation Corporation that owns, among others, the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City. In sum, the Resort's well-appointed accommodations, excellent golf venues, fine dining and energetic service all makes the La Quinta experience the La Quintassential retreat.

For more information, call 1-800-598-3828.