Country Club of the Desert has a name that encompasses a lot, especially the golf traditions it wishes to preserve for its members

The first 27 holes at Country Club of the Desert, 18 designed by the legendary Pete Dye, and nine by Great Britain's Clive Clark have opened at the master-planned 1,000-acre, 54-hole private equity country club located in La Quinta.

"The early clubs were all about golf as a social activity," says developer representative Nancy Aaronson, "and that's the tradition we're implementing here. Our members will be very comfortable here. And we've gotten a tremendous early response."

A major part of that is due to the golf, of course. There are plenty of bunkers and lots of water on Dye's course, which stretches out to 7,331 yards. Five sets of tees facilitate play for all levels, but as the irrepressible Dye is wont to say, "golf isn't supposed to be an easy game." In discussing the bunkering in his design: "I have worked hard with the crew to ensure that there is easy access to all sand."

The days of the railroad ties are mostly bygone, but Pete still works pot bunkers and expansive beaches into his new design. Pete's son Perry and wife Alice added their input to the new course.

There's water at seven of the nine Clark Course holes, none more spectacular than the par-three seventh, with its elevated tee and cascading falls. Clark is a former Ryder Cup player who is a newcomer to California design. "I think golfers will appreciate some of the European features we've implemented for the first time, here in the desert," the multi-talented Clark said (paintings of the property throughout the public areas at CC of the Desert are his).

One of the club's first steps toward uniqueness was the purchase at auction of the starter's "box" from the Old Course at St. Andrews.

The club was able to acquire the hut because it was slated to be demolished next year to make way for improvements at the Old Course. The structure had been in place since 1921. "It was hard to believe that we even had the chance to get it," Aaronson recalled, "and when we won the bidding we were just ecstatic." It will be placed between the first and 10th tees at the Dye Course.

Aaronson's experience in the Coachella Valley dates to 1985 when she was hired by Landmark Land Company to assist in the expansion of La Quinta Hotel. Later she was project director at Mission Hills CC. She is a recipient of the College Golf Foundation's Rolex Achievement award, receiving the honor from Arnold Palmer at her alma mater, Tulsa University, where she was a scholarship player.

Other personnel at Country Club of the Desert are accomplished as well. General manager Mike Finnell was at PGA West and Mission Hills, as well as Lakeside GC, before returning to the desert. He's on the board of the Southern California chapter of the Club Managers Association of America.

Brett Stuart was head golf professional at The Reserve for three years before being named director of golf. Stuart is a two-time SCPGA Merchandiser of the Year. Director of instruction Debra Spain is listed among Golf for Women's Top 50 Instructors nationally.

Superintendent Gerry Tarsitano, Palmer Golf's Superintendent of the Year in 1997, oversees the 300 acres of bermudagrass that also includes a short game practice area (putting green, sand bunker, chipping green) and double ended practice range.

In the region, only PGA West is more expansive than Country Club of the Desert. A 65,000-square-foot Early California/ Tuscan design clubhouse is slated for completion this fall. A village center, with spa, tennis and swimming facilities, post office and store is proposed. Clark's Course will be completed and an architect to be named will design a third course. Four styles/sizes of homesites are offered. Membership will be limited to 276 members per 18-hole course.