Rolland Vaughn Joins JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort as Golf GM
Rolland Vaughn joins JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa as Golf General Manager, brings leadership from Troon, Marriott Shadow Ridge and Shadow Hills Golf Club.
Punita Thakur 
PALM DESERT, California — JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa has appointed Rolland Vaughn as Golf General Manager. He takes charge of golf operations across 36 holes at Palm Desert's largest resort, set against the Santa Rosa Mountains.
Rolland Vaughn Appointed Golf General Manager at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa
Vaughn oversees full P&L responsibility for golf operations at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa. His mandate covers both the Palm and Valley courses, the practice facility, retail operations and F&B touchpoints within the golf division.
Both courses were designed by Ted Robinson, known as the King of Waterscapes. Each par-72 course stretches over 6,500 yards. The Desert Springs Golf Club offers daily clinics, private lessons and group and event packages.
Most Recently at Marriott's Shadow Ridge Golf Club in Palm Desert
Rolland Vaughn joins from Marriott's Shadow Ridge Golf Club in Palm Desert, where he served as Head Golf Professional. Before that, he held the same role at Desert Island Country Club in Rancho Mirage.
Both postings kept him within the Coachella Valley market. He arrives at Desert Springs with direct knowledge of the local golf landscape and the guest expectations that come with it.
A Career Across Resort, Private Club and Troon-Managed Properties
Vaughn's broader golf management career spans resort, private club and Troon-managed environments. He served as General Manager at Torreon Golf Club in Show Low, Arizona, a Troon Privé property. Before that, he spent nearly six years as General Manager at Shadow Hills Golf Club in Indio.
Earlier in his career, he was Director of Golf at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Arizona. That range of roles across different ownership and management structures gives him a practical understanding of how golf operations run at different levels.
General Manager Nusrat Mirza on the Appointment
"We are thrilled to welcome Rolland to our leadership team. His experience, passion for the game, and dedication to exceptional service make him a valuable addition to our golf operations."
— Nusrat Mirza, General Manager, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa
Education and Personal Interests
Rolland Vaughn holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from Ferris State University. He specialised in Marketing with a concentration in Professional Golf Management.
A Michigan native, he is based in Palm Desert with his wife Alison, daughter Sawyer Grace and their two dogs. Outside of golf, he follows Detroit professional sports teams and the University of Michigan.
About JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa is a 450-acre luxury resort in Palm Desert, California, operated by Marriott International. The property features 884 rooms and suites, 36 holes of championship golf, five pools, a full-service spa, tennis and pickleball courts and over 234,000 sq ft of event space. It is the largest resort in Palm Desert and one of California's most recognised golf destinations.
Read more industry related updates at hospitality career profile website.
