As the site of two Davis Cup ties—most recently the U.S. vs. Chile 
in 2006—the annual host for three National senior tennis events, and a the Mission Hills Country Club has long had a very high tennis profile. Its tennis complex consists of a whopping 34 courts: 20 hard, 4 clay, and 10 grass. Yet until relatively recently, in order to play there you needed to know a member or book one of the casitas or villas available to outside guests. However, there are now other ways to get yourself waived through the guard gate and onto these historic courts. One method is to put together your own group and ask the staff to tailor-make a program for you. Another is to book sessions of the long-running Reed Anderson Tennis School, which relocated to the Country Club in the fall of 2010. In either case, you become in essence a temporary member, with access to all the country club has to offer.
Pro Shop: 760-328-5800
Dave Sivertson recently took over the day-to-day operations and as soon as I've had a chance to speak to him, I'll provide more detail about his plans for the club. Also on staff is former touring pro Tommy Tucker, who such players as Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Roscoe Tanner, Michael Chang, Larry Stefanki, Jose Higueras, and Richie Reneberg. His title is now Tennis Pro Emeritus.
Mission control for the tennis operations is an 17,000-square-foot two-story Spa & Sports Center. Recently enlarged, it now contains a state-of-the-art fitness center and boutique spa. The entrance hallway is lined with Murray Olderman caricatures of such players as Arthur Ashe, Dennis Ralston, and Jim Courier, while the second floor cafe overlooking the stadium court has been decorated black-and-white photos of Andy Roddick, Ralston, the Bryan brothers, Jose Higueras and others. The courts themselves bear such names as Pancho Gonzalez, Ralston, Chris Evert, Michael Chang, Mark Woodforde (who lives there and occasionally hosts fantasy camps of his own), Higueras, and others. Tennis history abounds, and no doubt partly for that reason it won the USTA's 2009 Featured Facility Award.
Tennis Programs. During the season, Mission Hills schedules as many as 30 group sessions a week as well as a free clinic and weekend BBQ/tennis socials. Its chief focus is on game matching, a crucial service that its membership demands and guests can take advantage of. The debut of Reed Anderson's tennis school, which runs half-day and full-day sessions as well as custom camps, adds yet another dimension to the country club experience.
Courts & Fees. 34 hard, clay, and grass courts, one of them a sunken stadium adjacent to the clubhouse.
Golf Courses. Tennis aside, Mission Hills is renowned for its three golf courses, variously designed by Arnold Palmer, Pete Dye, and Desmond Muirhead. Muirhead's 7,240-yard Dinah Shore Tournament Course annually hosts the LPGA's Kraft Nabisco Championship.
Spa & Fitness Center. The Sports Center houses a boutique spa, which offers a modest selection of massages, facials, and waxing treatments as well as hair and nail care. There is nothing boutique about the fitness facilities, however, which span multiple rooms on two levels. The lower level houses free weights and Italian-made TechnoGym equipment while the second floor stands out for a large cardio theater and a Kinesis studio (a pulley system designed to afford 360 degrees of motion while providing a combined cardio and strength-training exercises). Personal trainers and Pilates Reformer and yoga classes are also available.
And ... There are also croquet and bocce courts.
Mission Hills has a handful of two- and three-bedroom casitas in a complex called "The Champions Club," which is a short walk from the main club and the Sports and Spa center, and a selection of one-to-four-bedroom villas in various locations around the property.
The Café on the second floor of the tennis clubhouse overlooks the sunken stadium court. There is also a restaurant in the golf clubhouse and the Main Dining Room.
If you like the sound of Mission Hills, you also ought to look at:
Mission Hills Country Club
Although this is a private country club, there are a few 2 and 3-bedrooms units available for rent on a nightly basis through the country club's website, and you may find others available through individual owners.
Reed Anderson Tennis School
Three-day tennis school packages include full-day (5 hours) or half-day (3 hours) instruction daily. Prices are per person, exclusive of lodging. Deeply discounted villa rates available at Mission Hills through the Tennis School.
3-day Sessions: Oct. 1, 2011-July 1, 2012
Half day (9 hours): $375. Full day (15 hours): $575
Seasons. Year-round; however, best tennis season runs from October into May.
General Tourist Information. Visit the Palm Springs Desert Resorts Convention & Visitors Authority website or contact them at 69-930 Hwy. 111, Suite 201, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270. Phone: 760-770-9000 or 800-967-3767 or Fax: 760-770-9001.