(CATHEDRAL CITY, CA) – Cathedral Canyon Golf Club – owned by The Welk Resort Group and managed by Billy Casper Golf (BCG) – will host the First Annual Coachella Valley Amateur Championship Saturday, July 24 to Sunday, July 25.

The 36-hole, individual gross and net stroke-play tournament will be contested among roughly 120 golfers divided into four flights based on USGA handicap index.  The $120 entry fee includes greens and cart fees, lunch buffet and prizes. The entry deadline is Friday, July 16 at 5 p.m.

“Cathedral Canyon has been transformed into one of the best-conditioned, tournament-ready courses in the Coachella Valley,” says Darren Stanek, General Manager of Cathedral Canyon. “This amateur championship will become one of the premier regional events and we expect two days of fierce competition and camaraderie.”

In 2010, Cathedral Canyon has employed an intensive agronomic plan to showcase dramatically enhanced course conditions and playability.

Among the completed projects:  new maintenance equipment, replacement of all sprinkler heads for better turf coverage, and renovation of on-course lakes that helps conserve water. Re-organized and re-focused maintenance practices include even keener attention to weed control, aerification, top dressing and bunker edging.

The Cathedral Canyon Golf Club at Welk Resorts Desert Oasis boasts one of the Coachella Valley’s most spectacular courses, an 18-hole, 6,505-yard championship layout.  The San Jacinto Mountains provide a majestic backdrop for the tree-lined fairways, rolling terrain, 16 lakes and strategically-placed bunkers which challenge golfers of all skill levels.

Designed by renowned Southern California golf architect David Rainville and hall-of-fame golfer Billy Casper, Cathedral Canyon was built in the early 1970s and features two, distinct nine-hole layouts: Mountain View and Lake View.

Rounding out the amenities:  A grass driving range, putting greens, fully-stocked pro shop, restaurant, lounge and banquet facilities for golf outings, weddings and other social engagements.

For more information about Cathedral Canyon and the Coachella Valley Amateur Championship, or to reserve a tee time: www.cathedral-canyon.com, 760.328.6571.