DESERT LEGENDS HISTORY

Long long ago, singer and TV personality Dinah Shore originated the Ladies Professional Golf Association event called the Colgate-Dinah Shore Winners Circle Tournament when it debuted in 1972 at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage. Shore, who died in 1994, was a golfer and a supporter of women’s professional golf. Since 1983, it has been one of the four major championships of women’s golf! The tournament became a 72-hole event in 1973. The name was changed to the Nabisco Championship in 2000, then the Kraft Nabisco Championship which it has been since 2002.

Although Shore’s name no longer graces the tournament’s marquee, the champion still receives the Dinah Shore Trophy. Alcott, King and Sorenstam have all won the tournament three times. As of 2012, the event has a purse of $2 million, with a $300,000 winner’s share. After winning the 1988 tournament, then known as the Nabisco Dinah Shore, Amy Alcott leaped into the lake near the 18th green; that lake is now called “Champion’s Lake.” Alcott won again in 1991, after which she and Shore both jumped into the lake. The leap has since become traditional, with golf legends such as Patty Sheehan, Betsy King and Annika Sorenstam taking the plunge.

-- Reference: SportsRec.com

Well, back in these olden days, lesbians flocked to the desert to watch the tournament. Because, you know, lots of lesbos golf. Plus, it was always a nice time to visit Palm Springs, the first week of April, and a nice spring break! Times were different then, and not everyone could be as out and proud as they are today, even the pro golfers. But word spread and secret parties emerged. Kathy Miller, now 79, was one of the first promoters to throw a Dinah Shore party! Many promoters came to town and the parties grew every year in production and attendance. A lesbian tradition had spontaneously begun! Sadly, the golf tournament stopped happening in Palm Springs in 2023, but the parties continue. Desert Legends promoters are excited to keep the tradition alive, and promise your Desert Legends vacation will be a weekend you won't forget! 

Kathy Miller, pictured right, was the first recipient of the 2023 Desert Legends Award! We will celebrate more of these amazing trend-setters every year. 

Go ahead and laugh. We're old, and we know it. But damn, we are in our prime, and we still love to party! Desert Legends caters mainly to the 45-65 year old demographic and events are taylor-made to make your weekend LEGENDARY! Don't worry we love ALL AGES of women, wether you are over 80 or under 40, everyone is welcome! We are primarily self-identified lesbians, but welcome ALL of our queer friends and family and straight allies! The 2024 events are even bigger and better than ever- from the 2,000 seat theatre comedy show with Fortune Feimster to cocktail parties under the stars, golf and pickleball tournaments and more, we can't wait to see you in the desert!