ELDORADO COUNTRY CLUB Indian Wells, CA
Inside: 1. Universal Recognition
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2. A Respectful Membership
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3. Excellence in Amenities & Facilities 04 4. Exceptional Service Standards
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5. Adapting to Changing Times
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6. Management and Operations
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7. The Overall Experience
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2021
1. Universal Recognition
Since 1957, Eldorado members have enjoyed world-class facilities, camaraderie, and impeccable service.
Eldorado was founded in the late 1950s and has transformed into one of America's great social and sporting facilities. The founders chose a unique site, an almost windless cove sheltered in the foothills east of Palm Springs, and chose golf course architect Lawrence Hughes to construct 18 holes, which Tom Fazio later redesigned in 2003. The mid-century clubhouse, designed by William F. Cody, was finished just in time to host the Ryder Cup matches in 1959. As a result, the Club was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated Magazine. That same year, President Dwight D. Eisenhower (who preferred to be called "General" by members) first visited Eldorado. He and Mrs. Eisenhower maintained a winter home on the 11th fairway.
In addition to hosting the Ryder Cup, between 1961– 1989, Eldorado was a host site for the Desert Classic, which became the Bob Hope Desert Classic, and later the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. In 1962, it was the richest golf tournament at the time and was used to raise money to build an emergency medical facility. The completed Eisenhower Medical Center, a beneficiary of generous donations and efforts by Eldorado Members and others, was dedicated in 1971 by President Nixon, Mamie Eisenhower, the Hopes, and the Reagans. Eldorado Country Club
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2. A Respected Membership
The Ryder Cup and The Eisenhower Years are but two moments in time that contribute to a sense of pride and heritage that is ingrained in the Eldorado experience. While Eldorado has counted five United States Presidents among its membership and numerous U.S. Ambassadors, all members of Eldorado contribute to the Club's unique culture and social fabric. Current members represent 39 states, three Canadian provinces, Europe, and Asia, and membership is strictly by invitation. Membership is not tied to real estate in any way. Candidates for consideration must be personally known and supported by a minimum of five to seven members. Part of what makes Eldorado unique are the close relationships established with several members even before joining the Club. Both members and staff pride themselves on living up to the Club's common saying – "We are not looking for new members, but we are looking for new friends." Members at Eldorado are quick to act should opportunity for philanthropic endeavors arise. Whether it's giving to the Eldorado Employee Scholarship Fund, which was established for dependents of staff members, or supporting fundraising efforts for the local Eisenhower Health Foundation, members of Eldorado are known to give generously, quietly, and anonymously. Although countless captains of industry, prominent political figures, and other luminaries maintain memberships at Eldorado, mention of their accomplishments seldom come up in conversations around the Club, which is precisely why these kinds of individuals seek to obtain memberships in the first place and why they treasure them so dearly." – June Allan Corrigan, Palm Springs Life. CLICK HERE TO READ ADDITIONAL EDITORIAL FROM PALM SPRINGS LIFE
Members value their privacy and the seclusion that Eldorado provides, and thus, the Club refrains from participating in any social media. Eldorado Country Club
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3. Excellence in Amenities and Facilities
In 2003, the membership turned to America's premier golf course architect, Tom Fazio, to complete an 18-hole golf course renovation. The bunkers later underwent a restoration in 2019, and all greens were fully renovated in 2020. Seasonal flowers surround the impeccably manicured and award-winning golf course. Since the time the Clubhouse was first built in 1959, Eldorado has prided itself in being one of the masterful works designed by influential architect William F. Cody who worked in Palm Springs during the peak of the Modern Architectural Movement. In addition to the Clubhouse, Cody also designed 50 residential cottages on the property, which were later sold to members. Members have the option to rent their cottage to other members and guests through the Club's Cottage Services.
Eldorado Country Club
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3. Excellence in Amenities and Facilities
Over the years, though the Clubhouse has evolved to keep pace with the membership's desires, the essence of Cody's original design has been maintained. The Clubhouse features a variety of dining amenities for members and guests, including a newly renovated card room scheduled to open in fall 2021.
Eldorado members enjoy four distinctive dining options with breakfast, lunch, and dinner service seven days a week. The Eldorado Room provides world-class formal dining. Its popular Terrace provides an elegant outdoor dining experience with dramatic panoramic views of the golf course and Santa Rosa Mountains. "Ike's," (President Eisenhower's informal nickname,) is a vibrant casual dining venue that provides a sense of place, features a community table, a wine wall, and is open daily for happy hour. The Grille is a fast-casual dining venue conveniently located between the 9th green and the 10th tee. For a quick takeaway option, members and guests may also take advantage of "The Turn," which provides grab-and-go items, including unlimited complimentary frozen yogurt donated anonymously by a member. Eldorado residents also have the option of delivery service through EldoA-Go-Go.
Eldorado Country Club
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3. Excellence in Amenities and Facilities
The Sport & Fitness complex includes swimming, tennis, pickleball, paddleball, bocce, and a 8,000 sq. ft. health and fitness center which includes treatment rooms for massage, facials, hair and nails, a designated strengthtraining room, a cardio room, and a group exercise room. A planning committee is currently working with architects to develop a conceptual design to renovate and expand the excellence of its athletic facilities to provide additional indoor/outdoor equipment and incorporate expanded spa services that will serve Eldorado Members well and long into the future. Additional amenities for Members include complimentary bike and sports equipment rental, a sand volleyball court, a children's playground, and the Village Green, used as a multi-purpose outdoor area for fitness classes, parties, croquet, grass tennis, badminton, outdoor movie theatre, and more.
Eldorado Country Club
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4. Exceptional Service Standards
Service standards at Eldorado begin with the amazing staff, many of which have dedicated over twenty, even thirty plus years of service to the membership. The team takes great pride in their service to the membership, and the membership takes great pride in the staff. So much so that twenty-two years ago, Eldorado leadership decided to start the Eldorado Scholarship Fund benefitting the children of Eldorado employees. Through the generous support of the Eldorado members, the total scholarship program has awarded over 350 scholarships totaling more than $3.4 million since its inception.
In addition, Eldorado uses the following Ten Keys to Maximize Member and Guest Service. These keys help deliver the Gold Standard of Eldorado and are provided to all new and returning staff members on a pocket sized card each and every season. 1. Have Passion 2. Take care of your teammates 3. Instill Pride 4. Encourage employee development 5. Make positive, lasting impressions 6. Turn little courtesies into big memories 7. Customize your service 8. Find a way to say "yes” 9. Be a problem solver 10. Under Promise, Over Deliver
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5. Adapting to Changing Times
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS With an increase in membership, Eldorado's Strategic Planning Committee continues to develop its comprehensive long-range plan consisting of several capital improvements that will cater to the existing membership and attract future members. Among the list of recent projects added were two newly constructed and lighted outdoor sports courts used for Pickleball, POP tennis, and occasional basketball. Anticipating that fall 2020 dining would be restricted to "outdoors only," management developed a plan to carve out a new and unexpected gathering area, what is now called The Terrace Lounge. The Terrace Lounge is located off the main Terrace and is an outdoor area furnished with inviting and comfortable seating. Now, specialty cocktails and a casual menu of hors d'oeuvres and smallbite favorites are available for members' pre- and post-dining pleasure.
This summer, a Clubhouse facilities restoration project will update the Eisenhower Room and Golf Pro Shop and renovate the Men's Locker Room, Member Services office, the Conference Room, and the Employee Breakroom, all scheduled to be completed fall 2021. A Spa & Fitness recreational rebuild is also proposed for 2023.
Eldorado Country Club
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5. Adapting to Changing Times
COVID-19 – PROGRAMMING With the Pandemic onset, Eldorado Staff incorporated various new programming to engage, protect, and serve its membership. A sampling of added or alternative services included: Grocery Services (2x per week pick up or delivery) Food and Beverage delivery services including signature margaritas to-go New Easter family programming including socially distanced entertainment such as a Fishing Derby, Slip and Slide, outdoor Scavenger Hunt, Golf Cart Decorating Competition, Family Glow Putting, Easter Baskets To-Go, and more Interactive Zoom Events: Cooking Demos, Scavenger Hunts, Book Clubs, Guest Speakers, and more Zoom and outdoor exercise classes, converting the outdoor patio into an outdoor gym
Eldorado Country Club
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5. Adapting to Changing Times
TECHNOLOGY With a notable increase in a younger demographic joining the Club and the growing popularity and comfort level with using smartphones among older generations, Eldorado implemented a Mobile App in 2019. The app ties into the website and allows members the convenience of registering for events and tournaments, accessing the membership directory, event calendar, dinner menus, receiving daily dining notifications, and much more. Furthermore, in an effort to go green, the Club also added a digital version of the Club's newsletter, providing members with a paperless option. Online dining reservations are being implemented for this fall, along with exploring an interactive digital menu board option in The Grille.
CLICK TO VIEW FALL 2020 DIGITAL NEWSLETTER
Eldorado Country Club
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6. Management and Operations BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Board is made up of eight voting members, including the President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Board has the exclusive right to exercise all rights and powers of the Club. Each Board Member serves for a term of three years. Each year, the membership votes in two new members during the Annual Meeting. STANDING COMMITTEES The President nominates and the Board appoints the Chairmen of all committees. The Chairman of each committee nominates the members of their committee and the members are appointed by the Board. Every year, all committees including the Chairs are excused of their duties, and the nomination and appointment process repeats itself. The following Committees are in place at Eldorado: Bylaws and Rules Committee Capital Priorities/Strategic Planning Committee Finance Committee Golf and Green Committee House Committee Membership Committee Social Activities Committee
The Speaker Series Committee attracts and engages notable guest speakers gratis (no fees are ever paid).
Speaker Series Committee Sport & Fitness Committee Wine Committee
CLICK HERE TO A VIEW LIST OF NOTABLE DISTINGUISHED GUESTS
There is also an active Women's Association of Eldorado, with their own Executive Board and bylaws, which oversees the programming for their 330+ active participants. GENERAL MANAGER The General Manager of the Club also serves as the Chief Operating Officer and is in administrative charge of all departments and staff. All details concerning the Club's operations are referred to the General Manager. The General Manager reports to and serves the Board of Directors. In addition, the General Manager also oversees the onsite Real Estate team and acts as General Manager for the two Home Owner Associations within the 300-home gated Eldorado community.
Eldorado Country Club
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6. Management and Operations
DEPARTMENT HEADS Eldorado has eleven established Department Heads whom report to the General Manager and work closely with various Committee Chairs. Each and every senior level manager has 20+ years of professional experience within their departments. Controller Director of Agronomy and Landscaping Director of Golf Clubhouse Manager Executive Chef Director of Sport & Fitness Director of Facilities Director of Security, Safety and Property Services Director of Membership and Communications Director of Member Services Director of Cottage Services
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7. The Overall Membership Experience
The best way to describe the Membership Experience is to hear from the members directly. The following are a few quotes from the recent 2021 Member Survey followed by a link to a video recently created by the Women's Association of Eldorado in celebration of what would have been the 10th Anniversary of the Oscar de la Renta/Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show Presentation which benefits the Eldorado Employee Scholarship Fund. "It is such a pleasure to spend time here where the member experience is so obviously the first priority!" "Management and all the staff deserve high praise and accolades for the amazing job they did during this difficult and trying season." "The Staff gives the best service in all the Desert... I am so proud to be a member of such a wonderful Club!" "Everybody who works at EDCC treats you like family. We really enjoy interacting with all the staff. They make you feel special!" "This is the best of all the 10 clubs I have belonged to over the years. The culture, the staff, and membership is first rate." "We have a great Club here at Eldorado and I am grateful for the conscientious work of the Board and the entire staff. Love that we are always trying to improve. Obviously the success of the Club over the last couple of years is proof that we are doing things right."
Eldorado Country Club
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7. The Overall Membership Experience
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2021 RETROSPECTIVE VIDEO
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