Indian Wells Golf Resort – one of the top golf and vacation destinations in California’s Coachella Valley – has named Nicholas Leitner as its new director of agronomy. Leitner will direct a golf course maintenance staff responsible for the continual elite conditions of the Celebrity and Players Courses.
Prior to joining Indian Wells Golf Resort, Leitner was head golf course superintendent and director of grounds at the exclusive Ted Robinson-designed Marrakesh Country Club in nearby Palm Desert, CA. He managed the daily operations and course maintenance in addition to landscape and turf operations for the club’s homeowners association.
“I am honored to be named director of agronomy at such an outstanding destination and can’t wait to work closely with the dedicated staff as we head into a busy fall and winter season,” Leitner said. “Indian Wells Golf Resort is situated beautifully in the Coachella Valley, and our ongoing quest is to make sure the playing conditions and course aesthetics match the stunning vistas throughout the property.”
“Nicholas has a proven track record of producing a high-caliber agronomic results here in the Coachella Valley, and we are ecstatic for him to join our team,” said Sven Wiedenhaupt, Indian Wells Golf Resort’s general manager of. “His leadership and commitment will be instrumental in ensuring our guests continue to enjoy phenomenal course conditions on our two celebrated courses.”
The Celebrity course, designed by architect Clive Clark and colloquially referred to as “Beauty,” includes water features, colorful wildflowers and narrow corridors that emphasize shot making.
The John Fought-designed Players Course, or “The Beast,” is a longer, more open layout with demanding bunkering and stunning vistas of the surrounding mountain ranges. Like The Celebrity, no roads or homes disrupt the course, and each hole is designed to provide a feeling of privacy and escape in the heart of the Coachella Valley.
Photo Courtesy of Indian Wells Golf Resort