INTRODUCTION
There are private clubs in the Coachella Valley and then there is Eldorado Country Club. Few addresses in the American West carry the history, prestige, and quiet distinction of this legendary Indian Wells institution. Since 1957, Eldorado members have enjoyed world-class facilities, camaraderie, and impeccable service in what remains one of the most celebrated private clubs in the country.
The club was created by Johnny Dawson, a 2007 SCGA Hall of Fame inductee, and Jimmy Hines, a nine-time PGA Tour winner. Both men played key roles in the development of nearby Thunderbird Country Club six years earlier, Dawson as a founder and Hines as that club's first head professional. They chose a unique site, an almost windless cove sheltered in the foothills east of Palm Springs, and the land itself has an extraordinary backstory.
Farmer Page, despite his name not a grower but a gambler who owned the Pioneer Club in Las Vegas, had won the deed to a 792-acre fruit-growing ranch in a sheltered cove in Indian Wells in a poker game. That ranch, once home to date palms, seedless grapes, and grapefruit orchards, would become Eldorado Country Club. The first round of golf was enjoyed on November 22, 1957, and Eldorado has never looked back.
The course and clubhouse were finished just in time to host the 1959 Ryder Cup, an event that landed Eldorado on the cover of Sports Illustrated on November 2, 1959, and firmly established the club as one of America's great golf institutions. The American team captained by Sam Snead defeated the British team 8.5 to 3.5. It was the last time the Ryder Cup was played west of Texas. It is currently scheduled to return to California in 2032 at The Olympic Club in San Francisco.
That same year, President Dwight D. Eisenhower first visited Eldorado. When Eisenhower left the White House after his two terms, he accepted an invitation to spend winters at Eldorado and became an honorary member of the club, requesting to be called "General" rather than "Mr. President." He and Mamie lived in a home on the left side of the 11th fairway, where a bust of the former president still stands outside today. Photos of Presidents Kennedy and Nixon landing on that same fairway by helicopter to visit Eisenhower are displayed in the clubhouse. The mountain visible in full view of the club is named Eisenhower Mountain in his honor.
The club also hosted the Bob Hope Desert Classic 17 times between 1963 and 1989, one of the most beloved tournaments in the history of professional golf.
With approximately 200 homes, a Tom Fazio-redesigned championship course, and a membership capped at 425 by invitation only, Eldorado remains one of the most exclusive and storied addresses in Indian Wells.
Billy and Stacy Thoman are your Coachella Valley specialists for Eldorado Country Club real estate. Call today or visit MyHomeInTheDesert.com.
THE COURSE
Tom Fazio Championship Course
18 holes | Par 72 | 6,634 yards | Originally designed by Lawrence Hughes (1957) | Redesigned by Tom Fazio (2003)
The original golf course was designed by Lawrence Hughes, an apprentice of the legendary Donald Ross. Hughes also designed original courses at La Quinta Country Club and Thunderbird Country Club in the same era, establishing the foundational golf layouts of the Coachella Valley.
In 2003, the membership turned to America's premier golf course architect, Tom Fazio, for a complete renovation. Fazio transformed the landscape, creating enough mounding to ensure that members and guests never see another hole from the one they are playing. He added water hazards throughout while keeping the original routing intact. Playing to just 6,634 yards from the back tees, the course rewards precision and shot-making over raw power.
Memorable holes include the par-3 fifth, where multiple bunkers around the green were modeled after similar bunkering on the second hole at Cypress Point Club in Monterey. The closing hole is a stellar 466-yard par-4 where the entire left side is guarded by a water hazard brought further into play by a fairway that slopes from right to left.
The course is open for play from November through May. A driving range, pro shop, short game area, and putting green are on site. Membership is capped at 425 members, by invitation only with sponsorship by a current member required.
Golf membership initiation: approximately $150,000.
Golf membership annual dues: approximately $44,040/year.
Social membership initiation: approximately $60,000 with annual dues of approximately $22,500/year.
THE RESIDENCES
Eldorado Country Club offers approximately 200 homes built between 1957 and 2018 across a collection of Custom Estates and Cottages nestled throughout the windprotected cove. Homes range from 1,738 to 11,841 sq ft with 1 to 8 bedrooms on lots averaging 19,230 sq ft.
The community features a wide range of architectural styles from original mid-century desert modern to contemporary custom estates, reflecting the seven decades of home construction within the gates. All properties sit on fee simple land. Approximately 33% of homes sell furnished.
The community sells approximately 17 homes per year on average, making it one of the more active ultra-luxury markets in the Coachella Valley. Prices range from approximately $950,000 to $9,350,000+ with an average community price of approximately $2,800,000.
REAL ESTATE AT A GLANCE
Founded: 1956 to 1957 by Johnny Dawson and Jimmy Hines
First round of golf: November 22, 1957
Total homes: Approximately 200
Built: 1957 to 2018
Home sizes: 1,738 to 11,841 sq ft
Bedrooms: 1 to 8
Average lot size: 19,230 sq ft
Price range: Approximately $950,000 to $9,350,000+
Average sale price: Approximately $2,800,000
HOA dues: Approximately $7,168/year (includes cable TV and security)
Golf membership initiation: Approximately $150,000
Golf membership annual dues: Approximately $44,040/year
Social membership initiation: Approximately $60,000; annual dues approximately $22,500/year
Membership cap: 425 golf members. By invitation only with sponsorship required
33% of homes sell furnished
Approximately 17 homes sell per year on average
Architecture: Mid-century desert modern through contemporary custom estates
Course yardage: 6,634 yards from the back tees. Open November through May
Location: 46000 Fairway Drive, Indian Wells, CA 92210
Ryder Cup host: 1959. Sports Illustrated cover November 2, 1959
Bob Hope Desert Classic host: 17 times between 1963 and 1989
Notable former resident: President Dwight D. Eisenhower, honorary member who lived on the 11th fairway
AMENITIES
Tom Fazio 18-hole championship course, one of the finest and most beautifully situated private layouts in the Coachella Valley
Driving range, pro shop, short game area, and putting green
Clubhouse with 4 dining options and extraordinary Santa Rosa Mountain views
Ike's, a casual dining and bar area dedicated to President Eisenhower, unveiled in recent years
Clubhouse room dedicated to President Eisenhower with historic photographs and memorabilia
Replica Ryder Cup trophy on display in the clubhouse along with signed bags from the 1959 teams
Spa and fitness complex including 2 swimming pools, bocce courts, treatment rooms, retail, and a salon
Cafe adjacent to the driving range
4 tennis courts
2 pickleball courts
Dog park
24-hour guard-gated security
Membership capped at 425, invitation only, creating a genuinely intimate and multigenerational club atmosphere
HISTORY
Eldorado Country Club was conceived in 1956 by longtime friends and business associates Johnny Dawson and Jimmy Hines. Dawson had developed Thunderbird Country Club in 1951 as the first true country club in the Southern California desert. Hines had served as Thunderbird's first head golf professional.
The land they chose had been won in a poker game. Farmer Page, a gambler who owned the Pioneer Club in Las Vegas, had won the deed to a 792-acre fruit-growing ranch in a sheltered cove in Indian Wells. Dawson and Hines recognized the site's potential immediately. An option was purchased, investors were secured, and construction began in early 1957. The first round of golf was enjoyed on November 22, 1957.
Less than two years later, Eldorado announced it would host the 1959 Ryder Cup. The American team captained by Sam Snead defeated Great Britain and Ireland 8.5 to 3.5. The event landed Eldorado on the cover of Sports Illustrated on November 2, 1959. A replica Ryder Cup trophy created in England at a cost of $10,000, along with signed bags from each team, remains on display in the clubhouse today. A memorable 50th anniversary celebration in 2009 brought together many former Ryder Cup players including several from the original 1959 teams.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower first visited Eldorado in 1959. After leaving the White House he and Mamie spent many winters living in a home on the left side of the 11th fairway, requesting to be called "General" rather than "Mr. President." Photos of Presidents Kennedy and Nixon landing on that fairway by helicopter to visit Eisenhower are among the club's most prized historical artifacts. The mountain in full view of the club was named Eisenhower Mountain in his honor.
The club hosted the Bob Hope Desert Classic 17 times between 1963 and 1989. In 2003, Tom Fazio completed a full renovation of the championship course, transforming the landscape while preserving its beloved character and routing.
LOCATION
Eldorado Country Club is located at 46000 Fairway Drive in Indian Wells, nestled in the windprotected cove at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains.
The BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden is minutes away, one of the premier tennis tournaments in the world. El Paseo, the Rodeo Drive of the desert, offers world-class dining and shopping a short drive away. Palm Desert, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, and Palm Springs are all within easy reach via Highway 111. Palm Springs International Airport is approximately 30 minutes away.
WHY WORK WITH BILLY AND STACY THOMAN
Eldorado Country Club is one of the most storied and sought-after addresses in the Coachella Valley. With approximately 200 homes and a history that includes US presidents, Ryder Cup champions, and Hollywood legends, the club operates at a level of discretion and exclusivity that rewards buyers who come prepared with the right representation.
Billy and Stacy Thoman specialize in Coachella Valley luxury real estate with deep knowledge of Eldorado Country Club, The Vintage Club, Toscana, The Madison Club, The Hideaway, PGA West, and the full range of desert country club communities.
Whether you are searching for a historic mid-century estate, a contemporary custom home, or a cottage steps from one of America's most celebrated clubhouses, Billy and Stacy bring the expertise, relationships, and discretion to make it happen.
Call Billy and Stacy Thoman today or visit MyHomeInTheDesert.com to explore current Eldorado Country Club listings.
SHORT DESCRIPTION
One of America's most storied private clubs, Eldorado Country Club in Indian Wells was founded in 1957 on land won in a poker game. Host of the 1959 Ryder Cup and the Bob Hope Desert Classic 17 times, former winter home of President Eisenhower, Tom Fazio championship course, approximately 200 homes from $950K to $9.35M, membership capped at 425 by invitation only.
BUILDING ADDRESS
46000 Fairway Drive
Indian Wells, CA 92210
City: Indian Wells
State: California
GEO COORDINATES
Latitude: 33.7197
Longitude: -116.3394
YEAR COMPLETED: 2018
RESIDENCES: 200
AVAILABILITY: Resale
BED RANGE: Min 1 Max 8
LIVING SPACE RANGE: Min 1,738 Max 11,841 sq ft
PRICE RANGE: Min $950,000 Max $9,350,000
DEVELOPER: Johnny Dawson and Jimmy Hines (1957)
ARCHITECT (Golf): Lawrence Hughes (1957). Redesigned by Tom Fazio (2003)
INTRODUCTION
There are private clubs in the Coachella Valley and then there is Eldorado Country Club. Few addresses in the American West carry the history, prestige, and quiet distinction of this legendary Indian Wells institution. Since 1957, Eldorado members have enjoyed world-class facilities, camaraderie, and impeccable service in what remains one of the most celebrated private clubs in the country.
The club was created by Johnny Dawson, a 2007 SCGA Hall of Fame inductee, and Jimmy Hines, a nine-time PGA Tour winner. Both men played key roles in the development of nearby Thunderbird Country Club six years earlier, Dawson as a founder and Hines as that club's first head professional. They chose a unique site, an almost windless cove sheltered in the foothills east of Palm Springs, and the land itself has an extraordinary backstory.
Farmer Page, despite his name not a grower but a gambler who owned the Pioneer Club in Las Vegas, had won the deed to a 792-acre fruit-growing ranch in a sheltered cove in Indian Wells in a poker game. That ranch, once home to date palms, seedless grapes, and grapefruit orchards, would become Eldorado Country Club. The first round of golf was enjoyed on November 22, 1957, and Eldorado has never looked back.
The course and clubhouse were finished just in time to host the 1959 Ryder Cup, an event that landed Eldorado on the cover of Sports Illustrated on November 2, 1959, and firmly established the club as one of America's great golf institutions. The American team captained by Sam Snead defeated the British team 8.5 to 3.5. It was the last time the Ryder Cup was played west of Texas. It is currently scheduled to return to California in 2032 at The Olympic Club in San Francisco.
That same year, President Dwight D. Eisenhower first visited Eldorado. When Eisenhower left the White House after his two terms, he accepted an invitation to spend winters at Eldorado and became an honorary member of the club, requesting to be called "General" rather than "Mr. President." He and Mamie lived in a home on the left side of the 11th fairway, where a bust of the former president still stands outside today. Photos of Presidents Kennedy and Nixon landing on that same fairway by helicopter to visit Eisenhower are displayed in the clubhouse. The mountain visible in full view of the club is named Eisenhower Mountain in his honor.
The club also hosted the Bob Hope Desert Classic 17 times between 1963 and 1989, one of the most beloved tournaments in the history of professional golf.
With approximately 200 homes, a Tom Fazio-redesigned championship course, and a membership capped at 425 by invitation only, Eldorado remains one of the most exclusive and storied addresses in Indian Wells.
Billy and Stacy Thoman are your Coachella Valley specialists for Eldorado Country Club real estate. Call today or visit MyHomeInTheDesert.com.
THE COURSE
Tom Fazio Championship Course
18 holes | Par 72 | 6,634 yards | Originally designed by Lawrence Hughes (1957) | Redesigned by Tom Fazio (2003)
The original golf course was designed by Lawrence Hughes, an apprentice of the legendary Donald Ross. Hughes also designed original courses at La Quinta Country Club and Thunderbird Country Club in the same era, establishing the foundational golf layouts of the Coachella Valley.
In 2003, the membership turned to America's premier golf course architect, Tom Fazio, for a complete renovation. Fazio transformed the landscape, creating enough mounding to ensure that members and guests never see another hole from the one they are playing. He added water hazards throughout while keeping the original routing intact. Playing to just 6,634 yards from the back tees, the course rewards precision and shot-making over raw power.
Memorable holes include the par-3 fifth, where multiple bunkers around the green were modeled after similar bunkering on the second hole at Cypress Point Club in Monterey. The closing hole is a stellar 466-yard par-4 where the entire left side is guarded by a water hazard brought further into play by a fairway that slopes from right to left.
The course is open for play from November through May. A driving range, pro shop, short game area, and putting green are on site. Membership is capped at 425 members, by invitation only with sponsorship by a current member required.
Golf membership initiation: approximately $150,000.
Golf membership annual dues: approximately $44,040/year.
Social membership initiation: approximately $60,000 with annual dues of approximately $22,500/year.
THE RESIDENCES
Eldorado Country Club offers approximately 200 homes built between 1957 and 2018 across a collection of Custom Estates and Cottages nestled throughout the windprotected cove. Homes range from 1,738 to 11,841 sq ft with 1 to 8 bedrooms on lots averaging 19,230 sq ft.
The community features a wide range of architectural styles from original mid-century desert modern to contemporary custom estates, reflecting the seven decades of home construction within the gates. All properties sit on fee simple land. Approximately 33% of homes sell furnished.
The community sells approximately 17 homes per year on average, making it one of the more active ultra-luxury markets in the Coachella Valley. Prices range from approximately $950,000 to $9,350,000+ with an average community price of approximately $2,800,000.
REAL ESTATE AT A GLANCE
Founded: 1956 to 1957 by Johnny Dawson and Jimmy Hines
First round of golf: November 22, 1957
Total homes: Approximately 200
Built: 1957 to 2018
Home sizes: 1,738 to 11,841 sq ft
Bedrooms: 1 to 8
Average lot size: 19,230 sq ft
Price range: Approximately $950,000 to $9,350,000+
Average sale price: Approximately $2,800,000
HOA dues: Approximately $7,168/year (includes cable TV and security)
Golf membership initiation: Approximately $150,000
Golf membership annual dues: Approximately $44,040/year
Social membership initiation: Approximately $60,000; annual dues approximately $22,500/year
Membership cap: 425 golf members. By invitation only with sponsorship required
33% of homes sell furnished
Approximately 17 homes sell per year on average
Architecture: Mid-century desert modern through contemporary custom estates
Course yardage: 6,634 yards from the back tees. Open November through May
Location: 46000 Fairway Drive, Indian Wells, CA 92210
Ryder Cup host: 1959. Sports Illustrated cover November 2, 1959
Bob Hope Desert Classic host: 17 times between 1963 and 1989
Notable former resident: President Dwight D. Eisenhower, honorary member who lived on the 11th fairway
AMENITIES
Tom Fazio 18-hole championship course, one of the finest and most beautifully situated private layouts in the Coachella Valley
Driving range, pro shop, short game area, and putting green
Clubhouse with 4 dining options and extraordinary Santa Rosa Mountain views
Ike's, a casual dining and bar area dedicated to President Eisenhower, unveiled in recent years
Clubhouse room dedicated to President Eisenhower with historic photographs and memorabilia
Replica Ryder Cup trophy on display in the clubhouse along with signed bags from the 1959 teams
Spa and fitness complex including 2 swimming pools, bocce courts, treatment rooms, retail, and a salon
Cafe adjacent to the driving range
4 tennis courts
2 pickleball courts
Dog park
24-hour guard-gated security
Membership capped at 425, invitation only, creating a genuinely intimate and multigenerational club atmosphere
HISTORY
Eldorado Country Club was conceived in 1956 by longtime friends and business associates Johnny Dawson and Jimmy Hines. Dawson had developed Thunderbird Country Club in 1951 as the first true country club in the Southern California desert. Hines had served as Thunderbird's first head golf professional.
The land they chose had been won in a poker game. Farmer Page, a gambler who owned the Pioneer Club in Las Vegas, had won the deed to a 792-acre fruit-growing ranch in a sheltered cove in Indian Wells. Dawson and Hines recognized the site's potential immediately. An option was purchased, investors were secured, and construction began in early 1957. The first round of golf was enjoyed on November 22, 1957.
Less than two years later, Eldorado announced it would host the 1959 Ryder Cup. The American team captained by Sam Snead defeated Great Britain and Ireland 8.5 to 3.5. The event landed Eldorado on the cover of Sports Illustrated on November 2, 1959. A replica Ryder Cup trophy created in England at a cost of $10,000, along with signed bags from each team, remains on display in the clubhouse today. A memorable 50th anniversary celebration in 2009 brought together many former Ryder Cup players including several from the original 1959 teams.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower first visited Eldorado in 1959. After leaving the White House he and Mamie spent many winters living in a home on the left side of the 11th fairway, requesting to be called "General" rather than "Mr. President." Photos of Presidents Kennedy and Nixon landing on that fairway by helicopter to visit Eisenhower are among the club's most prized historical artifacts. The mountain in full view of the club was named Eisenhower Mountain in his honor.
The club hosted the Bob Hope Desert Classic 17 times between 1963 and 1989. In 2003, Tom Fazio completed a full renovation of the championship course, transforming the landscape while preserving its beloved character and routing.
LOCATION
Eldorado Country Club is located at 46000 Fairway Drive in Indian Wells, nestled in the windprotected cove at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains.
The BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden is minutes away, one of the premier tennis tournaments in the world. El Paseo, the Rodeo Drive of the desert, offers world-class dining and shopping a short drive away. Palm Desert, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, and Palm Springs are all within easy reach via Highway 111. Palm Springs International Airport is approximately 30 minutes away.
WHY WORK WITH BILLY AND STACY THOMAN
Eldorado Country Club is one of the most storied and sought-after addresses in the Coachella Valley. With approximately 200 homes and a history that includes US presidents, Ryder Cup champions, and Hollywood legends, the club operates at a level of discretion and exclusivity that rewards buyers who come prepared with the right representation.
Billy and Stacy Thoman specialize in Coachella Valley luxury real estate with deep knowledge of Eldorado Country Club, The Vintage Club, Toscana, The Madison Club, The Hideaway, PGA West, and the full range of desert country club communities.
Whether you are searching for a historic mid-century estate, a contemporary custom home, or a cottage steps from one of America's most celebrated clubhouses, Billy and Stacy bring the expertise, relationships, and discretion to make it happen.
Call Billy and Stacy Thoman today or visit MyHomeInTheDesert.com to explore current Eldorado Country Club listings.
SHORT DESCRIPTION
One of America's most storied private clubs, Eldorado Country Club in Indian Wells was founded in 1957 on land won in a poker game. Host of the 1959 Ryder Cup and the Bob Hope Desert Classic 17 times, former winter home of President Eisenhower, Tom Fazio championship course, approximately 200 homes from $950K to $9.35M, membership capped at 425 by invitation only.
BUILDING ADDRESS
46000 Fairway Drive
Indian Wells, CA 92210
City: Indian Wells
State: California
GEO COORDINATES
Latitude: 33.7197
Longitude: -116.3394
YEAR COMPLETED: 2018
RESIDENCES: 200
AVAILABILITY: Resale
BED RANGE: Min 1 Max 8
LIVING SPACE RANGE: Min 1,738 Max 11,841 sq ft
PRICE RANGE: Min $950,000 Max $9,350,000
DEVELOPER: Johnny Dawson and Jimmy Hines (1957)
ARCHITECT (Golf): Lawrence Hughes (1957). Redesigned by Tom Fazio (2003)
We will be able to provide you with the most advantageous and up to date knowledge of the desert. Buyers and Sellers alike will tell you that they received the highest level of customer service and care.
