Indian Wells Taps Tripepi Smith to Bring Golf Resort’s Legacy to Life
In April 2025, the City of Indian Wells partnered with Tripepi Smith to produce a 13-minute video highlighting the history and design of the City-owned resort’s two award-winning golf courses. The video also marks the beginning of a new chapter with the upcoming redesign of the Players Course.
The video features interviews with acclaimed golf course architects John Fought and Clive Clark, the original designers of the Indian Wells Golf Resort (IWGR). The conversations are led by IWGR General Manager Robin Graf.
“With the Indian Wells Golf Resort being such a vital part of our community, it was a pleasure to be able to bring John Fought and Clive Clark back together for this opportunity to reminisce on their work. Their bright personalities, design brilliance and passion for the Resort and the sport of golf make for an incredible narrative that is both exciting and heart-warming to watch. I’m delighted that we got to capture their history,” said City Manager Chris Freeland. “The stunning visuals and storytelling that brought this vision to life could not have been done without the expertise and partnership of Tripepi Smith.”
John Fought, president of John Fought Design, is renowned for his playing and design careers. John turned pro in 1977 after winning the U.S. Amateur Championship. He went on to earn PGA Tour Rookie of the Year honors that same year and later gained national recognition for designing acclaimed golf courses across the country. Clive Clark, often described as “an artist among golf course designers,” has designed over 30 award-winning courses throughout the U.S. and Europe. He began his professional golf career in 1965 with a Danish Open win, later serving as a BBC golf commentator for 18 years.
The project was led by Principal Cameron Grimm and Senior Business Analyst Kaetlyn Hernandez, with support from Business Analyst Abby Romano and Junior Business Analyst Emma Totaro. Videographer Jeremy Camp and Junior Videographer Daniel Ceruti collaborated on filming, with Jeremy leading direction and editing.
Blending personal reflections with scenic walkthroughs, the video captures the legacy and lasting impact of the IWGR while also looking ahead to the future, highlighting Fought’s current involvement in the course’s redesign. The final product debuted during the City’s Strategic Planning session, earning praise from both the City Council and community members.
“It was a pleasure to join the City as it celebrates the rich history and bright future of the Indian Wells Golf Resort,” said Kaetlyn Hernandez. “This project was a great opportunity to highlight the brilliance of John Fought and Clive Clark, inform residents about the exciting transformations in store for this community gem and build the City’s video portfolio.”
Indian Wells first engaged Tripepi Smith in 2018 for an Express Communications Assessment, which then led to an ongoing retainer relationship focused on enhancing the City’s communications and community engagement efforts.
About the City of Indian Wells
Located in the heart of Southern California’s Desert Resort communities, the City of Indian Wells is recognized worldwide for its tranquil and luxurious resort environment. Then and now, astute planning and city leadership have helped Indian Wells achieve status as one of the premier residential resorts and vacation destinations in the United States. Guests and residents alike are continually drawn to the many amenities that Indian Wells offers including four world-class resorts, Indian Wells Golf Resort and Indian Wells Tennis Garden, a variety of cultural programs, impressive resident benefits, and much more. Whether you are here for a day, a week or a lifetime, idyllic Indian Wells offers a peerless experience that truly elicits a state of overall well-being. Visit the City of Indian Wells website to learn more.
About Tripepi Smith
Tripepi Smith is a California-based marketing, technology and public affairs firm that serves for-profit, nonprofit and public agencies. Its unique mix of marketing and technology prowess provides a competitive advantage to agencies seeking to leverage the internet to achieve their communication goals. The firm provides full content creation services, including: ghost writing, collateral development, photography, video production, aerial imagery, search engine optimization, email marketing campaigns and website design and execution. Tripepi Smith’s diverse clients include: City of American Canyon, City of Calabasas, City of Culver City, City of Cupertino, City of Daly City, City of Duarte, City of Grover Beach, City of Indian Wells, City of La Cañada Flintridge, City of Lake Forest, City of Livermore, City of Malibu, City of Napa, City of Palmdale, City of Paramount, City of Tracy, CalChoice Energy Authority, California Joint Powers Insurance Authority, Santa Clara County Fire Department, Costa Mesa Sanitary District, Rowland Water District, California City Management Foundation, Renne Public Law Group, West Coast Arborists, Scripps College, Blind Children’s Center and Climatec.