Legend at Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort

The Legend Course at Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort occupies a distinctive position in Palm Springs golf history as one of two courses at this municipal facility. Designed by William F. Bell and opened in 1959, it represents the architect's straightforward approach to desert golf during an era when the Coachella Valley was establishing itself as a winter golf destination. Bell, a prolific California architect who designed numerous public courses throughout the state, created a layout that works with the natural terrain at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains.

The course plays across relatively flat desert floor with views of the surrounding mountain ranges that define the Palm Springs landscape. The routing incorporates mature trees and water features that were part of Bell's original design strategy for making desert golf accessible to a wide range of players. As a municipal facility, Tahquitz Creek has long served both residents and visitors seeking an affordable alternative to the area's resort courses.

The Legend Course underwent renovation work in the 1990s to update conditioning and infrastructure while maintaining Bell's original routing concept. The layout provides a contrast to its companion course, the Resort Course, which was added later. Tahquitz Creek's location near downtown Palm Springs and its role as a public facility have made it a steady presence in the region's golf scene for more than six decades, offering traditional parkland-style desert golf without the premium pricing of private clubs or destination resorts.