“Desert Island Country Club is a piece of golf history, a legacy course played on by a mix of old Hollywood stars,” states Nelson. “When the pandemic hit, I felt the urge to return to the desert for my next project. I fell in love with Desert Island as a unique property with excellent bones, spectacular outdoor amenities, and multiple communities coming together to enjoy its natural beauty, an ideal canvas for the unique, transformative projects I’m passionate about. What sets us apart, truly, is the private club-level amenities that are accessible to the public. From our chef to our golf pros, every member of our team is truly best in class.”
The Penney
Chef Butler’s menu is an elevated experience, combining fine dining with attainable elegance. Named after artist and active DI resident Frederick Doyle Penney (1900-1988), Chef Butler has created a showcase for his ingredient-driven, locally sourced menu that is constantly evolving with the seasons. The Penney
features a vast rare-spirits library, sunken horseshoe bar, and indoor/outdoor terrace dining with views of the lake and mountains. The menu can be found here.
Parlour
The Parlour is Desert Island’s destination cocktail lounge, with a grand piano, a restored 1967 Brunswick pool table and a library of table games. The Parlour is designed for post-golf relaxation, pre-dinner aperitifs, or simply as a destination for fun and mischief. It features original art from owner Miguel Nelson
and detailed murals painted by Stacy Smith, Desert Island’s artist-in-residence. With a DJ at weekend evenings, Parlour functions as a music lounge and game room with its own bar and cocktail menus.
9 1⁄2
9 1⁄2 is Desert Island’s shady tropical refreshment station featuring casual-dining snacks and entrees from Chef Butler, as well as beer, specialty cocktails, fresh-squeezed juices, craft coffee, and more. The eatery is conveniently located adjacent to Golf Shoppe, between Holes 1, 9, 10, and 18, and is open seven days a week, from sunrise to golden hour, and occasionally for dinner. 9 1/2 expands to the Southern Verandah, a long, shaded
row of tables overlooking the lakeside putting green. Private dining is available for up to 65 persons.
Golf
The verdant course was designed by the legendary Desmond Muirhead (1923-2002) and features gentle
slopes around the largest lake in the Greater Desert region, shade trees including mature eucalyptuses,
short distances between greens and tee boxes, and many personal amenities. There are refreshment
stations offering craft beverages and artisan snacks from Chef Butler. Luxurious trollies offer golfers
everything from chilled towels to insulated water bottles. Additionally, there are no homes on property,
a rarity for desert courses. While the course is ideal for walking, Desert Island offers new, high-end golf
carts.
Desert Island has just launched a limited number of private memberships, accepting 100 memberships
total. Members will have access to priority tee times, dining discounts, and additional club perks.