2024. Prices and selections may vary and are updated frequently.
Thunderbird Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California officially opened in 1946, although it was first known as the Thunderbird Ranch. It offered mainly dude ranch activities, although it did have a 9-hole golf course.
The ranch attracted a lot of celebrities at the time, but the lack of a proper golf course was a problem. Eventually, the ranch was sold off to a top amateur golfer, and then various corporate bigwigs along with celebs became investors in the club. Among those first investors were Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and couple Desi and Luci Arnaz.
That resulted in a topnotch golf course. Thunderbird has hosted events such as the Ryder Cup, and it continuous to be popular with today’s glitterati. Even Presidents like Gerald Ford and Barack Obama have played here.
The racquet community here offers play and lessons for tennis and pickleball, with hosted tennis tournaments every year.
The fitness center is superb, with a wide range of equipment along with many types of workout classes offered. You can go with TRX, Pilates, yoga, or even some type of customized strength training with cardio workout.
Once you’re done working out, or after a hard day at work, you can always relax in the club’s wellness facilities. Go with a restorative massage for pain relief and tension alleviation. Other members can also enjoy the comprehensive skin care treatments.
This is also one fantastic club that works as a venue for special events, such as wedding receptions and grand birthday celebrations. The active social calendar also hosts lots of parties and events, even with live music.
You can also just enjoy some fine dining here, and savor a dinner with a loved one. Or you can wind down at the bar while socializing with fellow members Membership is by invitation only, and you need a current member to sponsor your application. The full golf membership is reportedly requiring an initiation fee of $50,000 with annual dues of $22,440. However, if you’re not a golf fan, then you can go with the social membership instead. That’s only an initiation fee of $10,000 with annual dues of $10,715.