 |
Michael Landes, President of the Eisenhower Medical Center Foundation, is a civic leader in Rancho Mirage. He and his wife, Stephanie, have three children, ages 12, 16 and 18. When he is not spending time with his family, Michael raises money for the most successful medical center in the Palm Springs Valley and Rancho Mirage. Just completing a $200 million campaign $50 million over goal and 6-months early, it's time to celebrate and enjoy a little well-deserved rest and relaxation.
Here is Michael’s 3-day golf and tennis itinerary.
Michael Landes with wife Stephanie on the Pete Dye Resort Course, Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa, Rancho Mirage.
Michael Landes |
 |
| Breakfast |
Good mornings begin with a latte and scone at the Palms Café. Nestled inside the magnificent Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa; the Palms Café serves up Starbucks® coffee and fresh baked pastries overlooking the 9th hole. |
| |
Rancho Mirage resident and former U.S. President and Rancho Mirage resident Gerald Ford said “I would like to deny all allegations by Bob Hope that during my last game of golf, I hit an eagle, a birdie, an elk and a moose.” A chip off Bob Hope Blvd, is one of Rancho Mirage’s World-class golf clubs, Rancho Las Palmas Country Club. This 27-hole, Ted Robinson designed golf course is crowned by the Santa Rosa Mountains. Their 3 courses are noted for secluded sand traps, rolling terrain, palm lined fairways and magnificent mountain views. |
|
Michael Landes |
|
| lunch |
After a round, our bar is R Bar. This rat-pack-vibe, hot-spot is great after “18-holes” at Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa; you can grab a club sandwich, watch a game, and even settle the score with your golfing buddy at the pool table or shuffleboard table. My wife, Stephanie is a shuffleboard champ so the scores remain as they stand. |
| |
If you find your golf swing lacking; it's time to visit GolfTec. Using the latest in digital video, motion analysis and biofeedback, Golftec enables players to build a strong swing and know how to perform in any situation from tee to green. |
|
Michael Landes |
|
| |
Reserve a personalized Evaluation Session or Club Fitting and you too will see how their consistent, effective and comprehensive process will improve your game.
Stephanie enjoys spending the time at Lady Golf outfitting herself in the latest golf fashions from Escada Sport, Polo by Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, St John Sport and so many more. Selected by Golf for Women Magazine as being on of the top 25 shops in the USA for the last 5 years, women golfers will enjoy their time here. |
|
Michael Landes |
|
| Dinner |
Taste the good life – California’s country club cuisine with a splash of Bing! Yes an old Hollywood dinner at the world famous Bing Crosby’s Restaurant and Piano Bar. This is where cool and hip never go out of style. I always start with the Wedge Salad and follow that with the succulent Seared Ahi Tuna with Persimmon and Potato Gratin. |
|
Michael Landes |
 |
| BREAKFAST |
Have you ever noticed what golf spells backwards? Don’t take a beating, start your day with a good breakfast; even a coffee and pastry at Starbucks® at The River will fuel you up for a better drive. |
| |
With three tennis venues accessible to visitors in Rancho Mirage, you can love-love the game. Whitewater Park, located close to The River, offers no fees, no reservations on 4 nearly never occupied, pristine courts. And with the Santa Rosa Mountains towering virtually all around you – this is the place to serve up some balls. Tennis fans may also want to check out the Rancho Las Palmas Country Club’s 28 courts, 8 of which are lit for evening rounds.
|
|
Michael Landes |
|
| |
Guests staying at The Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa have free access to the beautifully maintained and lit courts adjacent to the resort’s Spa At Mission Hills. As avid tennis players, Stephanie and I have played all three venues. Of course she always wins.
|
| Lunch |
A well played round deserves a well served lunch at The Yard House at The River. Comfy over-sized booths, the World’s largest selection of draft beers, the Grilled Korean BBQ Beef from the appetizer menu for me and a Roasted Turkey Cobb for Stephanie. This restaurant a great après tennis luncheon destination. |
|
Michael Landes |
|
| |
After lunch, my wife Stephanie and I often window shop along El Paseo, the Palm Springs Valley’s exclusive shopping and arts district. |
| dinner |
For a perfect ending to a perfect day, reserve a table at Wally’s Desert Turtle. Table 16 was Frank Sinatra’s choice table. But no matter your table, Wally’s is the most beautiful and romantic restaurant in the Palm Springs Valley. Designed by Stephen Chase, Wally’s has hosted presidents and celebrities for over three decades. We love being greeted by owners Michael and Nicky Botello, chatting with Executive-Chef, Pascal Lallemand about the restaurant’s vast wine selection and enjoying a delectable dinner. |
|
Michael Landes |
 |
| breakfast |
No frills, American breakfast-counter culture of yesteryears, Keedy’s Fountain Grill rounds out our morning with a 2-by-2. |
| |
Today is GOLF Magazine’s praised course, the “difficult, well-designed, and joyful” course which may be the best in the Palm Springs Valley. The Gary Player Signature Course at The West Mission Hills Resort and Spa is a par 72, 18-holes, with 7,062-yards renowned for its environmentally careful integration with the desert landscape. Remember, no matter where you are be there. |
| lunch |
Thai Smile offers delicious curries, pad-thai and light noodle dishes in a contemporary South-East Asian atmosphere. |
|
Michael Landes |
|
| |
For home accessories and furniture, there is no better selection or prices than the stores along Highway 111 in Rancho Mirage. Stop into The Charles Townsend Collection for great furniture values, and practically next door is Legacy Home Furnishings. Under one roof at the Atrium Design Center you can explore Artemidi, Ligne Roset, Thom Home, and Design for Entertainment which offer a diverse and modern selection of home furnishings and techno-gadgetry. And with so many more well appointed showrooms along Highway 111 in Rancho Mirage, it is virtually a furniture and home décor mecca. |
|
Michael Landes |
|
| dinner |
Dinner at Jillian’s is a journey back into the Palm Springs Valley historic hacienda days. Located in a 1946 hacienda and outdoor courtyard, Jillian’s is richly decorated with art, tapestry covered chairs and antiques. The Lake Superior whitefish on a bed of spinach and mashed potatoes topped with mustard sauce is a favorite of both Stephanie and I. Truly a perfect ending to yet another perfect day in the Palm Springs Valley and Rancho Mirage. In the words of Bob Hope, “It was fun to go out on the course and lie in the sun.” |
|
|
