We all have dreams. The hope is that one or more of our dreams come true. One fortunate desert dweller has just experienced the euphoria. “This is absolutely a dream come true,” Neil Finch recently told GolfNews Magazine. “At least for me. It is a golf pro’s dream to be able to own your own golf course. To literally have control over everything that is done.”
Ownership doesn’t at all mean easiership and Finch knows this. Finch has bankers that he is responsible to that have loaned him, in his words, “a whole lot of money.”

He gives praise and appreciation to Canyon National Bank, Bob Cross, and Steve Hoffman for lending him the necessary funds to buy Indian Springs Golf & Country Club. When most people wouldn’t loan money, Canyon National stepped up to the plate, and trusted the man that has been in the golf business for nearly three decades to do the successful ownership job that needs to be done.
“Everything needs to make sense; the numbers need to work out, and Canyon National helped with the numbers,” says Finch. “I started on this back in December ’07 and it didn’t close until July ’08. It took quite awhile for the whole process to be completed. But it’s been an exciting time. Exciting and scary. It was just as scary and it was exciting. I experienced the whole gamut of emotions. We closed escrow in July and that’s not necessarily the optimum time to close escrow.”
In spite of the dire economic news that we are hearing about and some of us are experiencing, Finch remains optimistic that Indian Springs offers the perfect niche for a whole category of golfers that want quality golf for an under $100. “Plus we are opening on November 3rd and the election is on November 4th,” Finch says with a smile. “The media will get off of the economy for political reasons and everything will move forward from that point.”
Finch, along with his ownership partners, are making improvements and additions that are sure to attract new and returning golfers. A brand new driving range is being built ideal for golfers. Very wide, very flat (so you can measure distances much more accurately compared to hilly, non-level ranges), and able to simultaneously accommodate dozens of golfers.
A new short game facility will allow players to tune up their chipping, pitching and short iron shots. The old cart barn is going to be converted to a new starter’s area with new restrooms and gazebo. The Indian Springs Clubhouse is only a couple of years old and offers a fresh, new look, and dining at the club remains highly popular.
Another amenity that Indian Springs has is its superintendent. Alfredo Alcocer, head superintendent at Indian Springs, is considered one of the finest in the desert. “One of the first things I did when I came here to Indian Springs nine years ago was to hire Alfredo,” says Finch. “He was the head superintendent at the Jones Course at Rancho La Quinta when The Skins Game was there. He and I have been inseparable ever since; we are best friends. In addition, my head professional here came over with me and that’s Gregg Gerner. We’re looking into ridding into the retirement sunset together in ten years or so.”
If anyone can make the investment in Indian Springs successful, there is every reason to believe it’s Neil Finch. His golf business background is phenomenal. He’s been assistant golf professional at Kapalua Bay, Pebble Beach Golf Links, and Monterey Peninsula Country Club. He was the director of operations at Princeville Resort on the Island of Kauai. Add to his resume director of golf at Indian Wells Country Club and general manager at Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort. Then throw in the fact that Finch has been the general manager at Indian Springs for nine years, so he knows every nook and cranny, all financial numbers, every geographical inch of the property, and everything needed to satisfy customers. Assisting Finch is an experienced, core staff to make it all happen.
If you haven’t experienced the 18-holes of enjoyment at Indian Springs Golf & Country Club, it’s highly recommended that you do. Say “Hi” to the man in charge. Guaranteed he’ll say “Hi” back with more than a smile. Golf course owner Neil Finch will want to know how you enjoyed your golf experience and if there is anything whatsoever that can be done to make it more enjoyable. He’s there to make sure your golf experience is memorable. He’s there to make sure that you return to Indian Springs.