Championship at Ladera Golf Club

Ladera Golf Club sits in the Coachella Valley near Thermal, California, in the desert landscape east of Palm Springs. Designed by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner, the course opened in 2017 as part of a broader residential development in an area traditionally known for agriculture and, increasingly, for golf. Hanse, who gained widespread recognition for his work on the Rio Olympic course and his restoration projects at classic American venues, brought his characteristic routing philosophy to this desert site, emphasizing natural landforms and strategic variety over manufactured spectacle.

The course occupies relatively flat desert terrain, and the design works within these constraints to create interest through bunkering, green contours, and thoughtful use of the surrounding vistas. The Coachella Valley setting provides mountain backdrops in multiple directions, and the routing takes advantage of these views while managing the strong winds that frequently sweep through the region. Hanse's approach here, as elsewhere, favors width off the tee and rewards creative shot-making into greens, with ground-game options often available alongside aerial approaches.

Ladera operates as a private club and serves both full-time residents and seasonal members drawn to the valley's winter climate. The facility includes practice areas and clubhouse amenities typical of contemporary desert clubs in the region. While it has not hosted professional tournaments or appeared on major rankings lists, the course represents Hanse's continued exploration of strategic design principles in varied American landscapes, adding a modern architectural voice to the Coachella Valley's established golf corridor.