PGA WEST: A Club for the Whole Family
When Ty and Miranda Haefele started visiting the Greater Palm Springs area, they were instantly drawn to everything the desert oasis had to offer—from the lifestyle and golf to the stunning scenery. Years later, when the Haefeles came across the last available lot in the Signature PGA WEST community in La Quinta, they knew it was the perfect place for their desert getaway with their two young boys. Although they live in Wyoming where now 5-year-old Burke and 7-year-old Rhett attend school, they take advantage of their PGA WEST home as often as possible—holidays, long weekends—whenever the boys are out of school.
The Haefele family joined The Club at PGA WEST in December 2024 and have been thrilled with how welcoming the community is, as well as its family- and kid-friendly environment and activities. Ty notes that the boys love going to the driving range and are also now into pickleball.
"The Serves & Swings program has been fantastic for Burke and Rhett," Miranda adds."
The Kids West activity features two hours of golf instruction and lunch, followed by two hours of tennis instruction, forging friendships between the young participants.
"The boys have met other kids their age and gotten to know them," Ty says. "They look forward to seeing each other—they even have nicknames for one another."
Miranda shares that the kids have learned quite a bit on both the course and the courts.
"Burke came home and all he could talk about was how much he loved hitting out of the sand," she recalls. "We were absolutely struck that the instructors taught them how to hit out of the sand traps. We take the kids golfing now, and what they've learned and picked up on has really impressed us."
The Haefele family also enjoys many of the Club's holiday and special events, including celebrations for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter; family dinner dances; drive-in family movie nights; a Disney on the lawn day; and concerts on the green.
"At every family function we've been to, they've had a photo booth, or a professional photographer dedicated to that event," Ty says. "They can send you the photos right to your phone—the photos are something we really cherish."
The family especially looks forward to The American Express golf tournament held annually at PGA WEST each January.
"The tour professionals and caddies were nothing but great to our boys," Ty recollects. "The caddies would hand them signed balls and caps—it was awesome to see."
Miranda agrees: "They can't wait to show off their Rickie Fowler-signed hat to everybody who sees them. After one tournament, for his birthday, all our five-year-old wanted was golf clothes to dress like Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas."
Among the many PGA WEST amenities Ty and Miranda enjoy are golf outings and dining on the picturesque patio at Ernie's Bar & Grill in the Tournament Clubhouse. They also take advantage of nearby experiences—dining at Adobe Grill at La Quinta Resort & Club, spending time in Old Town La Quinta, and taking the boys to the annual WildLights holiday display at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.
"When Ty and I first built the house and joined the Club, we always talked about the 'joy factor' that it brings us," Miranda says. "Will this bring us joy? Will this bring us happiness? Will this add to our experience? We ask the boys, too. It has brought us lots of joy, and it's very fun for us."