Opening of Palm Springs golf course delayed

Public Record, The, Jun 07, 2005

The opening of Escena, the first new golf course in Palm Springs in 10 years, has been pushed back six months, according to Cheryl McCune, a spokeswoman for the project developer.

The 18-hole, Nicklaus Golf-designed layout originally was to open this month, but McCune said immaturity of the turf prompted officials to make the change. Escena. is located east of Palm Springs International Airport in a largely undeveloped area south of Vista Chino and east of Gene Autry Trail.

"By waiting until November to open the course, the grass will be established in all areas and the timing will be perfect for the start of the [tourist] season," said McCune. "That was the reasoning behind the decision."

The course is part of a larger project being develop, by two home builders, Lennar Communities and Empire Companies, with some 1,200 homes scheduled for construction in several phases at the site. McCune said model homes for the first residential phase are scheduled to open in March 2006. The first wave of homeowners will move in by June, according to McCune.

The par-72 course encompasses 125 acres with total yardage of about 7,200 yards when played from the back tees. The par-35 front nine will consist of three par-3 holes, four par-4s and two par-5s. The par37 back nine has two par-3s, four par-4s and three par-5s.

Escena is to remain a daily-fee operation open for public play even after homes are completed and occupied in areas around the course. The facility was to include a driving range when opened, but winter rain storms delayed that aspect with no opening date firmed up at this point.