Dreams begin big but seem to dwindle smaller as we grow older. Golf is no exception. One name that perhaps is the most known or should be known in the world of golf is the Thunderbird Country Club.
Ben Hogan once stated that golf would never work in the California desert (Golfcalifornia.com). Not only would Mr. Hogan be wrong about that, but he would come to eat his words later when he would actually play at the very golf course he claimed could never exist.
This wonderfully exclusive golf club was first opened on January 9, 1951 from formerly being a 750 acre farm, and attracted movie stars, the upper class of American society including Presidents Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, and professional golfers. This golf club inspired its own golf carts and Ford’s Thunderbird car (Golfcalifornia.com) (Thunderbirdonly.com). It seemed as though this golf course created itself as well as its legacy, but the real man behind the scenes was Johnny Dawson.
Johnny Dawson was the man with the dream and played a vital role in establishing the soon to be famous golf course. Being the architect, he partnered with Lawrence Hughes to create the 6,512 yard golf course with a 72 par (Thunderbirdcountryclub.com). Larry Hughes was not inexperienced in his architecture either. His father, Henry T. Hughes studied under the architect Donald Ross. Both built the Broadmoor East Course in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Larry's brother, Henry B. Hughes, built several other Colorado golf layouts (Golfcalifornia.com).
Upon it's opening, the golf course was one of the very first to use golf carts to move around the course (Thunderbirdonly.com). They were invented by Eddie Susalla (also the first golf pro for the club) when he was staying in Long Beach and he saw a handicapped man wheeled along side walks on a gas powered cart, or an Autoette. In its beginning, only the handicapped were allowed to use it. Eventually after the members saw the advantage for its use, the rule was changed and members were allowed to use them as long as they were a foursome (Golfcalifornia.com). Now it is required that they be used (Thunderbirdcountryclub.com).
This was not the only time when automobiles were inspiring members and other people in power to create something to honor this country club. The very first Thunderbird convertible was inspired by the country club's logo and the mind of Ernest Breech, Ford's chairman, in 1954. Ernest was also a member of the prestigious country club (Golfcalifornia.com) (Thunderbirdonly.com).
In 1955, Thunderbird was selected as the location for the Ryder Cup Matches, which my grandfather also played in. Considered remote and too short, the holes were stretched and fairways were narrowed as much as possible to compete with the professionals. Sam Snead ended up winning the tournament for the seventh straight time, with a team captained by Chick Harbert and other players like Tommy Bolt, Lloyd Mangrum, Jerry Barber, Jack Burke Jr., Doug Ford, Marty Furgol, Chandler Harper, Ted Kroll, and Cary Middlecoff (Golfcalifornia.com).
In 1959, Thunderbird became the birthplace of the Bob Hope Desert Classic which was won by Arnold Palmer. Along with Bob Hope, Bing Crosby was the first to buy homes at Thunderbird in 1951 followed by my grandfather, Harry Weimar. The Weimar home was also the first house completed on the golf course (Interview with Drew Weimar) with Harry Weimar becoming the first member of the country club (Thunderbird Membership Certificate). They were followed by Lucy and Desi Arnaz, President Gerald Ford (who also presided over the re-opening in 1980 when a rainstorm destroyed most of the course in 1979), Phil Harris, Alice Faye, Hoagy Carmichael, Judy Howard, Gordon MacRae, Ruby Keeler, Dean Martin, Billie Dove, Esther Williams, Randolph Scott, and Mary Pickford, including Frank Bogert, the mayor of Palm Springs at the time (Golfcalifornia.com).
The Thunderbird Country Club still has its parties and is still a very exclusive place to live with prices of homes raging from half a million to around 11 million dollars. It all depends on what one is looking for. This club is far from outdated and still continues to hold several movie star memberships (Ps4rent.com).
In conclusion, this club's history is nothing shy of amazing and played a very strong role in the recreation and tourism of later southern California history.
Robin Barnes, Harry Weimar, Judy Howard, and another golfer.
The first foursome, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Hefferman, Johnny Dawson, and Harry Weimar, at the Thunderbird Country Club
Drew Weimar with her Grandmother, Ruth Ann Rhine Weimar, at Thunderbird on Easter.
Ruth Weimar at Thunderbird on Easter.
William Frawley (Fred Mertz), Vivian Vance (Ethel Mertz), Lucille Ball (Lucy Ricardo), and Desi Arnaz (Ricky Ricardo) in an episode of I Love Lucy where Fred and Ricky teach the girls how to play golf. Notice Desi Arnaz’s hat with a Thunderbird insignia on the front.
The Arnaz family picture at Easter in 1955 with my grandfather, Harry Weimar, in the background on the left with the missing right arm. Desi Arnaz is wearing his Thunderbird hat again. This picture also appeared in the 1955 Thunderbird Palm Springs, California Magazine
Barbara Stanwyck, Harry E. Weimar, and Mary Delphine Hinck Weimar enjoy themselves at a party put on by the Thunderbird Country Club.