Tamarisk Country Club, whose legendary alumni include Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and Kirk Douglas, has seen an upswing in activity in recent months.

“We’ve been extraordinarily busy,” Sarah Schmolke, the club’s membership director, told Desert Magazine. “We’ve had more than 40 new members. Golf rounds are up 60%. Equipment sales have increased  and our golf professionals are busier than ever with lessons. Everything in golf, tennis, pickleball is extremely active.”

COVID-19 changed the mindset of many people, Schmolke said.

“They are finding a silver lining in all of this and discovering new ways to spend quality time with their families and friends,” she said. “A country club to enhance their lifestyle has been a safe way to do that.”

Many young families are joining Tamarisk now, she said.

“They are working remotely and doing virtual learning,” she said.

Golf provides such a positive experience; an opportunity to not only to be outside and enjoy nature and fresh air, but also to get in some daily movement and exercise,  Schmolke said.

“Oftentimes, you will see people walking the course instead of using carts,” she said. “It is another great way to be active and get their steps in. It’s been a popular option in the afternoons here at Tamarisk.”

It's a relief after months of being cooped up during the pandemic.

 “Here in the desert, we’re so blessed with exceptional weather," Schmolke said. "You can restructure your life with optimal outdoor living. In addition to all the sports and activities, the club offers outdoor dining on the patio, which has a delightful ambiance. We’re seeing more people come from big cities and places of winter weather.”

One of those people is Ken Lieberman and one of those places is Chicago, his hometown.

“The weather is conducive to everything we do here,” Lieberman said.

He enjoys the Tamarisk golf course, the fitness center and eating outside. He also really enjoys escaping the Chicago winters and loves the people and the stories of the club’s rich history.

“Another thing that’s fascinating is the architecture,” Lieberman said. “When you drive around here, because of preservation, you can see different decades of buildings going all the way back to the 1950s when the club first opened. We’re getting a lot of new, younger members because they like midcentury modern architecture.”