Hello there Getaway Enthusiasts,Well, I have decided to take our Guys Golfing Getaway on the road. Next stop…Palm Springs, California. After four very enjoyable outings to the Las Vegas area, it was time for a change in venue (green fees for the courses in Vegas we had not played, were getting very expensive). There are a lot of courses to choose from in Palm Springs, but I think the two selected are a couple of real gems. First on the agenda is the Indian Wells Golf Resort. Home of the PGA Skins Game (November each year). Second up is t the meticulous SilverRock Resort, host site to the PGA Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.

Golf Date: Sunday – April 18, 2010 Monday – April 19, 2010Place: Indian Wells Golf Resort SilverRock Resort

Celebrity Course Classic Course First Tee Time: 10:00 AM 9:00 AM

Now you can play where the Pros do on these two championship, country club caliber courses, without the fees of a private club. Both courses have very demanding layouts with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. The Indian Wells Golf resort boasts a brand new 53,000 sq. ft. clubhouse which just opened in 2007. Additionally, both Indian Wells and SilverRock Resorts have new state-of-the-art Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in all their golf carts! This is always a fan favorite.

Indian Wells has long been the ultimate golf destination for everyone from pros to presidents, and The Golf Resort at Indian Wells is at the center of it all. This lush Ted Robinson course features mature trees, pristine lakes, and island greens, which draw accolades year after year. Winner of Golf Digest's coveted "Best Places to Play" Gold Medal in 2004-2005, the Indian Wells Golf Resort has long been a premier golfing experience for everyone. In fact, Golf Magazine named the Golf Resort at Indian Wells among the Top 10 in California, and designated it a prestigious Silver Medal Award winner. As a bonus feature, a 18-hole natural grass putting course (lighted for evening enjoyment) was completed on site in 2008.

SilverRock is an Arnold Palmer Classic Course that at 7553 yards, is the longest layout in Palm Springs and as home of the Bob Hope Classic, is one of the longest courses on the PGA tour. Opened in early 2005, this layout is situated right at the base of Santa Rosa and Coral Mountains, resulting in postcard quality photos, with gorgeous backdrops and surrounding vistas. Combined with outstanding conditioning from tee to green and wonderful service, SilverRock will provide us with one of our most memorable golfing experiences. The Arnold Palmer Classic Course at SilverRock was named in the "Top 10 New Courses That You Can Play" by Golf Magazine. It was the only golf course in California to make the Top 10 list.

Here is the plan. As was the case last year, Saturday (4/17/10) most likely will be utilized as a travel day. The first day of golfing has been scheduled for the Indian Wells Golf Resort on Sunday (4/18/10), with our second day of golfing taking place at the SilverRock Resort on Monday (4/19/10). Finally, Tuesday (4/20/10) will probably be the return day for most of us. Feel free to come early or stay late if you so desire.

There are two Indian Casinos/Resorts in the area. The Agua Caliente and the Fantasy Springs (in Indio). Since this will be our first outing away from the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas casinos, I have decided to stay at the Agua Caliente Casino/Resort/Spa in Rancho Mirage (about 8.5 miles east of the Palm Springs Airport and 10 miles NW of Indian Wells Golf Course). If any of you folks are concerned over possible Las Vegas gambling withdrawals, please feel free to join me. Palm Springs has a large selection of Hotels & Resorts, so rather than reserve a block of rooms this year, I thought it would be best to let each individual select their own. Some of our participants like to use their preferred hotel chains and that is fine. Hilton and Marriott Hotels are in the area. Posh/lush resorts as well as inexpensive hotels can easily be found. So, It will be up to each attendee to select and book their own lodging.Last year’s trip was another good turn out. So, don’t miss out in Year #5 (2010). We will be playing some great golf courses, telling tall tales (no really, that was a birdie), sharing some enjoyable quality time together (golfing and at dinner) and capturing memorable moments (like playing in the hail on the last outing). As always, this trip is open to friends and family. If you are planning on attending and know of someone else that might be interested, feel free to send the info and extend an invitation. I have reserved 28 tee times (7 consecutive foursomes). First come, first served. Make plans and don’t miss out!

This year as in the past, a group dinner is planned. In fact, I have decided to select two. The first dinner social will be at Piero’s Acqua Pazza located within “The River at Rancho Mirage” on Sunday evening http://www.pierosacquapazza.com/

The second dinner social will be held on Monday evening at Picanha Churrascaria’s Brazilian Steakhouse http://picanharestaurant.com/

If you have any questions, feel free to give me a call or send an email,Lad MeairsEmail: meairs2@comcast.net (home) or laddin.d.meairs@lmco.com (work)Phones: (925) 978-0170 (home) – (925) 829-8615 ext 330 (work) - (925) 813-2465 (cell)

Total cost/Green Fees for both courses is $270 (vice the $329 it was last year) Please Mail checks to: Lad Meairs

1254 Mokelumne CourtAntioch, CA 94531

Terms of Agreement: To get the group tee times and discounted rate of $270 total, per person, for both courses, I had to sign a contract for a minimum of 16 golfers at both courses with a $500 non-refundable deposit (each course). Please decide by early March. I have to pay in full, 30 days prior to our scheduled dates (money due on March 15, 2010). I need your commitment and green fees by that date.

SilverRock Resort79179 Ahmanson Lane

La Quinta, CA 92253(760) 777-8884(760) 777-8884

Indian Wells Golf Resort44950 Eldorado Drive Indian Wells, CA 92210(760) 346-2489

Website:www.golfresortatindianwells.com

Place: Indian Wells Golf Resort Date: Sunday – April 18, 2010

Course: The Celebrity Course Tee Time: 10:00 AM (first group)Location: Indian Wells, California Price $135.00 (southeast of Palm Springs)The new Celebrity Course is perhaps the most meticulously landscaped golf property in the Palm Springs area. Vibrant flower beds are situated near every tee area, while tropical plants and other native foliage line the fairways and greens. There is a clear cascading stream that winds throughout the rolling terrain, and waterfalls often flow into greenside ponds. Golfers will have to contend with an undulating topography. Many fairways are parallel - separated by vegetation and mounding that sometimes creates a bowl effect. A local rule allows for golfers to take a "free drop" if there ball ends up in any of the plentiful flower beds (this is to preserve the landscaped environment). There is a great amount of sand on this course - in fact there are 97 bunkers which are located near the landing zones along the fairways or greenside and the high lip nature of the fairway bunkers can be brutal. Water is another significant feature of this course. Thirteen holes have water hazards in play. Those on the front are mostly along the perimeters, but the back nine has some beautiful and incredibly challenging water holes. On the front, golfers will have to carry ponds on the approach to the green on the short par five 4th and again on the par three 6th. Both are beautiful golf holes with palm trees and mountains forming a memorable backdrop. The back nine opens with a couple score-able par fours that play along a wide and deep wash, and another short par four that can be reached off the tee. The finishing holes are quite challenging, beginning with the 13th and 14th, which share water hazards off the tee. Number 14 is a spectacular par five, with a wide landing zone off the tee that plays towards a steam which crosses about 115 yards out. Fifteen demands a tee shot over water, and the par three 16th is one of the most scenic holes on the course, with mountains, bunkers and water framing the view. Waterfalls situated near the tee and greenside on 18 make this a beautiful closing hole. All carts are equipped with ball & club washers plus GPS, which provides hole diagrams and accurate yardages from tee to pin.

Website:www.silverrock.org

Place: The SilverRock Resort Date: Monday – April 19, 2010

Course: The Classic Course Tee Time: 9:00 AM (first group)Location: Palm Desert, California Price $135.00 (southeast of Palm Springs)

As host site to the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, this wonderfully maintained 18-hole championship Arnold Palmer design, has provided immeasurable service to the PGA Tour players, novices and visitors to the Palm Springs area. The surrounding mountain vistas of the Coachella Valley combine to make this an incredibly beautiful Golf Experience that all levels of players can enjoy. Close to 60 extremely soft sand bunkers are strategically located along the fairways and greenside - creating some very tight fairways which demand accuracy on approach. In addition, there is a plethora of desert waste areas located throughout the layout, helping to define the landing zones and also protecting the putting surfaces. It is difficult to avoid all of these sand hazards, and at some point most golfers will be confronted with some tough recoveries. A good sand game is required to score well here. While extremely beautiful, SilverRock is also quite a challenge. There are very few forced carries, but the desert waste areas and beach sand bunkers are strategically located to squeeze the landing areas from tee to green - and they do so quite effectively! Water comes into play on eight holes, and besides providing a beautiful aesthetic quality - also provides significant challenges. On the par five second a pond squeezes the landing zones and makes it extremely tight from 90 yards in. Ditto on number six, which affects the tee shots of all golfers who are unable to carry the large fairway bunker along the left side of the fairway. Seven is a great water hole, as a pond separates the fairway and creates a vast number of risk/reward options. The par three 8th and 17th, as well as the par four 10th and 15th present water hazards that create a need for well placed irons. Eighteen is a great finishing par five, as a pond and stream diagonally intersect the fairway, making this a classic risk reward hole. This is too beautiful a course not to enjoy! Some of the current amenities include carts equipped with ice chests containing bottled water, and practice facilities that include a grass range and putting green. GPS uplink provides accurate measurements to the green and pin placement sheets are provided to indicate the day's hole locations.

Indulge your desires at the sophisticated Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage, California. The Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa is located just minutes from downtown Palm Springs; this spectacular 16-story resort caters to your every whim. Behold magnificent views while you unwind in the spacious comfort of tranquil guest rooms. Flirt with Lady Luck in the energetic Agua Caliente Casino, with table games and slots to satisfy every player. Rated Four Stars! The Resort Hotel: 314 Large Deluxe Guest Rooms which are 550 square feet. Each Guest Room is equipped with a 42 inch plasma flat screen television as well as high-speed internet access/Wi-Fi, oversized desk, iron/ironing board, in-room safe, coffee/tea and coffee maker. The bathroom features an LCD TV, dual vanities, an oversized sunken tub and separate glass rain head shower. The Restaurants: Challenge your palate in the sumptuous cuisine of The Steakhouse, Sage Bar & Grill and Grand Palms Buffet restaurants. Additionally on site are the Waters Café, Poker Deli, and Java Caliente.The Casino: Whether it is more than 1,800 of the newest and most exciting slots or whether it is poker or table games, the action here is hot, around the clock. Come see why this casinos Vegas-style gaming is winning awards like Best of the Best. Over 900 slot machines, plus 32 table games, including Blackjack, Baccarat, Craps, 3-Card Poker, 4-Card Poker and Pai Gow PokerThe Pool Area: Covering more than 50,000 square feet, this outdoor playground offers a swimming pool and a jetted spa for your enjoyment. In addition, they offer two elegant executive cabanas which feature private jetted hot tubs. Guests can also enjoy the Wet Bar, a full-service outdoor bar and grill. The Lounge: This nightclub offers an electric mix of live music, great tribute bands and side-splitting comedy acts in a classy, state-of-the-art venue. This sleek, sexy hot spot is the ideal place to dance, watch the big game, hang out with friends or make new ones.The Show: A state-of-the-art, 2,000-seat entertainment venue that promises an outstanding audio and visual experience unlike any other. Sunstone: The Spa at Agua Caliente - treatments include a fantastic variety of massage and skin therapies, performed in your choice of indoor or outdoor treatment spaces. A full-service salon and state-of-the-art fitness center complete Sunstones comprehensive offerings

Room Rates(not individual rates)(not individual rates)Saturday (4/17/09) – $279 Saturday (4/17/09) – $279 Sunday (4/18/09) – $189Sunday (4/18/09) – $189Monday (4/19/09) – $189Monday (4/19/09) – $189

Agua Caliente Casino/Resort/Spa32250 Bob Hope Drive

Rancho Mirage, CA 92270(800) 854-1279http://www.hotwatercasino.com/http://www.hotwatercasino.com/

Located in the beautiful Palm Springs area, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino offers all you need for a fun-filled getaway or complete destination vacation. Whether your fantasy includes luxurious hotel rooms, exciting Vegas-style gambling options, fabulous dining, world-class entertainment, golf or poolside lounging, you’ll find it all here. This 250-room Palm Springs hotel features brand-new luxurious rooms many with spectacular mountain views. The hotel rooms are four-star caliber with comfort amenities for both leisure and business travelers. Walk through the doors of Fantasy Springs and enter into one of the most elegant casinos in the Palm Springs area. Enjoy Las Vegas action; “Double down” on a winning blackjack hand or go for a million on our progressive slot machines in smoking and non-smoking areas of the casino. Relish a mouth-watering dinner at one of our many restaurants or enjoy an after-hours cocktail at the Springs Bar. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino offers 40 tables with exciting card games including Mini-Baccarat, California Craps, Jackpot Pai Gow, Spanish 21 and the best Blackjack rules in the Palm Springs area. At Blackjack, our guests can choose between hand-shuffled, machine-shuffled games or the popular “double-deck pitch” with table limits as low as $5.

From the West (Los Angeles)Take Interstate 10 (San Bernardino Freeway) east through the mountain pass to the Coachella Valley. Stay on I-10 to the Golf Center Parkway exit in Indio. Go left off the ramp to the first traffic signal. Turn right into Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway

Indio, CA 92203-3499800-827-2946

Room Rates(not individual rates)(not individual rates)Saturday (4/17/09) – $378Saturday (4/17/09) – $378Sunday (4/18/09) – $199Sunday (4/18/09) – $199Monday (4/19/09) – $159Monday (4/19/09) – $159

Hotel Rating Rate (per night)JW Desert Springs Marriott Resort & Spa **** $ 349

Miramonte Resort and Spa **** $ 306

Hyatt Grand Champions Resort & Spa **** $ 299

Marriott Vacation Club Villas II *** $ 229

Hampton Inn & Suites Palm Desert *** $ 215

Embassy Suites Palm Desert *** $ 206

Residence Inn by Marriott Palm Desert *** $ 199

Comfort Suites Palm Desert *** $ 199

Courtyard by Marriott Palm Desert *** $ 189

Homewood Suites Palm Desert *** $ 170

Country Inn and Suites Rancho Mirage *** $ 156

Hilton Garden Inn Palm Springs *** $ 150

Holiday Inn Express Palm Desert *** $ 140

Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites *** $ 134

Best Western Palm Desert Resort *** $ 105

Fairfield Inn by Marriott Palm Desert ** $ 189

Travelodge – Indio ** $ 150

Comfort Inn Palm Springs ** $ 109

Quality Inn and Suites - Date Palm ** $ 93

Travelodge Cathedral City ** $ 75

Vagabond Inn Palm Springs ** $ 70

Here is a sampling of the Hotels in the Palm Desert / Palm Springs area Here is a sampling of the Hotels in the Palm Desert / Palm Springs area (during the dates of 17 Apr 10 – 20 Apr 10)(during the dates of 17 Apr 10 – 20 Apr 10)

71800 Highway 111Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 (760) 862-9800

68510 E. Palm Canyon Dr.Cathedral City, CA, 92234(760) 328-1818

Picanha Churrascaria is California's first authentic Brazilian steakhouse serving traditional Brazilian steak barbecue. Skewered meats include petite filet mignon, garlic picanha, lemon steak and chicken breast wrapped in bacon, lamb, pork, turkey and sausage. These choices are brought to your table on a sword by a band of agile booted and bloused gauchos. To accompany your meal Picanha offers a lavish salad bar with more than twenty Brazilian and American salad items, including feijoada (Brazilian Black Beans and rice) and a soup of the day.

At Piero's Acqua Pazza, talent, expertise and a passion for great food combine to produce a captivating California bistro dining experience. Our menu options are varied, and the quality is always high, prepared with the freshest ingredients available and a dash of innovation from our chefs. Decadent desserts are made in-house daily, and are perfectly complimented by a cappuccino, latte or pot of coffee. Dine inside in air-conditioned comfort, or enjoy the stunning mountain views from our beautiful riverside terrace, where live music plays during lunch and dinner.

SundaySunday Evening – Dinner Social –Evening – Dinner Social – April 18, 2010April 18, 2010

Monday Evening – Dinner Social - April 19, 2010Monday Evening – Dinner Social - April 19, 2010

Piero's Acqua Pazza is located at the famous "River" in Rancho Mirage