Desert Princess Country Club and Resort

 Quorum Article - June 2002

Desert Princess is a walled and gated community lying on approximately 500 acres at the southwest corner of Vista Chino and Landau Blvd in Cathedral City. It is centrally located near Palm Springs Airport and convenient shopping is only a short drive in any direction. Construction started in 1984 and is expected to continue through 2008.

Between 1984 and 1990 Watt Development built 678 condos, 104 single-family homes, a clubhouse, a tennis facility and what is now the Doral Hotel. When Watt fell on financial hard times and declared bankruptcy, the Doral Hotel and the Desert Princess Country Club were sold. The Desert Princess Homeowners Association purchased the Country Club and golf course, which it now operates. In 1998 Laguna Landmark built 27 single-family homes at Desert Princess. Cornerstone Development has completed building 109 homes in "The Master Series" and is now building a further 156 homes in "The Master Series II." There are currently 934 completed units at Desert Princess. There is also a forty-acre undeveloped tract within the property that could bring the total units to approximately 1184 at full build-out.

The one, two and three bedroom condos range in size from approximately 850 to 1,300 square feet. Their prices range from about $41,000 to $190,000. The single-family homes (The Villas) have two or three bedrooms and range in size from 1,400 square feet to 1,800 square feet. Their prices range from $170,000 to $300,000. Except for 109 of the Masters Series units, which are on fee simple land, all units are on leased land with 40 years of the term remaining with a negotiable 25-year extension.

Indoor clubhouse facilities, offering approximately 30,000 square feet of total space include a full service dining room, bar, fitness center and spa, and two racquetball courts. A 4,000 square foot homeowner association office is located within the gates of the Association. Additional facilities include 2 tournament tennis courts, 8 additional courts (five lighted), lap pool, and 30 swimming pool/spa sets. The Clubhouse is available for member and non-member weddings and banquets.

At the Desert Princess all homeowners live and play on a David Rainville designed championship Golf Course. There are 27 holes of friendly but challenging golf, set among many lakes, bunkers, and trees. Included are a driving range, private teaching tee, two putting greens, and a practice bunker area.

To make the Golf Course even more appreciated, summer plans are in place to renew all 27 greens with Tiff Dwarf grass. Homeowners and golfers alike enjoy the Coachella Valley's most spectacular views of the San Jacinto Mountains.

A Desert Princess owner may join the Country Club for unlimited golf, tennis, and/or fitness. Country Club members enjoy free trail fees for personal golf carts and monthly scheduled golf tournaments presided over by a full service pro shop. Individual or group play is by tee times starting on any one of the three nines.

All Homeowners enjoy Friday night dinners, weekend brunches, and special occasions with entertainment. Food preparation by Chef Juan has to be some of the best in the Coachella Valley and is the most appreciated amenity during Season. Additional programs of enjoyment include Dinner and Bingo, Bridge playing, Crafters Club Workshops, and Cooking Classes. The Doral Hotel adjoins the Desert Princess property to the north and is an obvious benefit to the Resort atmosphere enjoyed by all owners and guests.

Homeowners at Desert Princess are from all walks of life and really enjoy a high level of camaraderie. About one third hold golf memberships. Some reside full time, others part time, and with many preferring weekends only. In addition, there is a fairly large rental inventory. HOA dues are $409 for the condos and $369 for the villas.

General Manager, Lynn Gilliam, directs the operation of both the homeowners association and the country club. The Homeowners Association is the single governing body for the whole complex. There are no sub-associations. The Resort maintains a staff of 130 friendly and capable folk that do practically everything from golf course maintenance, gardening, repairs to minor construction. The size of the staff necessitates a dedicated human resources department.

The Architectural and Landscape, Security, Finance, Social Events, and Tournament and Greens Committees support the seven-member Board of Directors. Roy Holt, the in-house association manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the association, including landscape and maintenance staff, security and other outside vendors. Most services are provided in-house. However, Lincoln Security Services provides 24-hour security and Valley Pools provides pool service.

The principal daily challenges facing the Association are the maintenance of a large organization, managing the interface between homeowners and the Country Club and golf course, keeping costs down, and keeping everybody happy. To help in the latter area, the Social Events Committee organizes 5 or 6 special functions a year.

In managing its facilities, the Association tackled the recent energy crisis head on by installing solar heating on all pools and spas. Additionally, it is in the midst of a six-year re-roofing project assisted by Western Pacific Roofing. And the summer of 2002 begins a two-year project to repaint all the condo units.

Aside from the extensive green belts and the spectacular views, the Desert Princess homeowners most appreciate the consistently high standard of maintenance and service achieved by the Association's management and staff. In return, the Board of Directors and the Association are strongly committed to the support and development of all personnel.