History

Palos Verdes Golf Club opened on November 15, 1924. The golf course was designed and built by the team of George C. Thomas,Jr. and William P “ Billy” Bell, during the era that has become known as the “Golden Age of Golf Course Architecture”. Other examples of their work in Southern Calif. include, the North Course at Los Angeles CC, Riviera CC, Bel Air CC, as well as the Ojai Valley Inn Golf Course.

Courses built during this period were done without the aid of heavy earth moving equipment. The genius of their work was in their ability to utilize the natural contours of the land to create natural hazards. PVGC is a classic example of this. While not long in length by modern standards at 6219 yards par 71, the combination of barrancas, creeks, 74 well placed bunkers, requires strategically placed tee shots and accurate approach shots to small well-manicured greens.

The membership have taken great care to preserve the integrity of the original design of this masterpiece. The front nine is one of the few courses with what is called a “perfect nine” in that there are no two consecutive holes with the same par. The course is located in the middle of an 800 acre parkland preserve overlooking Santa Monica Bay with ocean views visible from 13 of the 18 holes.

The clubhouse, with unsurpassed views, recently underwent an $11,000,000 renovation restoring it to its original Mediterranean design with an understated yet elegantly appointed early California interior. While the golf course has long been referred to as “a hidden gem”, the new clubhouse has now earned the same distinction.