Poston Butte Golf Club

It might not look like it on the map, but Poston Butte Golf Club might be the golf match play made in heaven. Bringing together Arizona’s most acclaimed architect in Gary Panks, and the state’s best-known upscale golf course managers in Troon Golf in a new community by Arizona’s most prominent developer, the Anthem at Merrill Ranch by Del Webb, Poston Butte might just be what you’re looking for in a golf getaway for a day or a lifetime.

It might not look like it on the map, but Poston Butte Golf Club might be the golf match play made in heaven. Bringing together Arizona’s most acclaimed architect in Gary Panks, and the state’s best-known upscale golf course managers in Troon Golf in a new community by Arizona’s most prominent developer, the Anthem at Merrill Ranch by Del Webb, Poston Butte might just be what you’re looking for in a golf getaway for a day or a lifetime.

Located in the southeast valley of Phoenix, Poston Butte is not nearly as far away as its address, historic Florence, might lead you to believe. Just 15 minutes from Johnson Ranch and 25 minutes south of Rt. 202, Poston Butte does have the advantages of being “away from it all.” The views of the Superstition Mountains, and the historic pyramid-shaped fire temple resurrected in the 1800s by Charles Poston, are spectacular. Pulte Homes and Gary Panks moved a lot of dirt in this $16-million project to convert a flat piece of farmland into a golf experience you’ll have to see to believe. And the course plans to invest at least $1 million annually to keep the conditions as pristine as possible.

The course’s site, and its name, come straight out of the Arizona history books. The “Father of Arizona,” Charles Poston, who was instrumental in convincing President Lincoln to create the Territory of Arizona, discovered the ruins of an Apache pyramid-shaped fire temple where Indians once conducted worship ceremonies. Poston rebuilt the temple and constructed a pathway to the ruin for public viewing. After his death, Poston was buried at the summit of the temple, now known as Poston Butte.

The award-winning Panks, known for his creative design abilities and sensitivity to the natural environment (Poston Butte is irrigated with reclaimed water), was the perfect choice to build a course around these ruins. From the same imagination that created Grayhawk, Sedona Golf Resort, Chaparral Pines, Legacy Golf Resort, Raven at South Mountain, Vistancia and Whirlwind, comes Poston Butte, with its pyramid tee markers that pay homage to the nearby fire temple.

Panks’ latest achievement is very golfer-friendly off the tees that range from 5,300 to 7,300 yards with generous landing areas. However, Poston Butte will become known for its contrast of colors (crushed red volcanic rock trims the Bermuda roughs and lush green fairways), its well-bunkered greens and its multi-tiered putting surfaces that will rarely give you a flat putt. Among the par-5s are two long ones (the third measures well over 600 yards from the back tees) and two potentially reachable ones. The ninth and 18th holes offer great risk-reward opportunities to save the “side.” The par-4 15th can be driven as well, if the winds are favorable. But the par-3s are the stars at Poston Butte, each for a different reason.

Coming after the enormous par-5 third hole (the #1 handicapped at Poston Butte), the par-3 fourth is no picnic either. The longest par-3 demands a long desert carry to a green that’s very deep (44 yards, or about 3 clubs) but not very wide. Survive #3 and #4 and you’ll turn for home on the front nine with a chance for a great score. The seventh is a mid-range par-3, and plays even shorter downhill, but you’ll have to contend with a tee-to-green bunker down the right hand side of another very deep, but very undulating green. General Manager Lon Grundy loves the par-3 12th with its combination of length and beauty, featuring cacti, palo verde and mesquite trees, Texas sage and a stacked, boulder wall in front of the green. And all that need be said about the par-3 17th is two words, Island Green. A near-replica of the 17th at the TPC Sawgrass, but with trees added to the island, this tee shot actually offers more variety than its Florida cousin.

Among the extra amenities at Poston Butte is a wonderful practice facility that includes a double-ended driving range with multiple target greens (that really are greens), a short-game practice green with bunkers, and a large putting green, all located just steps from the clubhouse. A beautiful outdoor patio, served by the Greenside Café, has already entertained outings from area businesses and charitable groups, and even the Golf Channel Amateur Tour. The golf shop can handle all your fashion and equipment needs, including new rental sets.

Poston Butte is the latest addition to Troon Golf’s southwestern portfolio. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Troon Golf is the world’s largest golf management company, overseeing more than 185 courses in 29 states and 22 countries. Among Troon’s Arizona courses are Ocotillo, Whirlwind, The Phoenician, Talking Stick, Kierland, Troon North, Corte Bella, Copper Canyon, Quintero, Moon Valley and the Westin La Paloma. Troon’s Annual Pass program makes playing their courses an even greater value, and Anthem residents are eligible for further discounts.

And you just might find more than a place to play golf at Poston Butte. Anthem at Merrill Ranch by Del Webb is Arizona’s first community to combine the active adult Sun City lifestyle with the all-age Parkside community. The Anthem community offers a 43,000-square-foot community center, a big-splash water park, catch-and-release fishing lake, soccer and baseball fields, hiking trails, picnic areas, a 32-foot rock climbing wall, aquatic center, tennis center and more. Sun City residents have access to their own 48,000-square-foot community center, fitness center, resort-style pools and spas, a walking track and outdoor trails, the ASU Lifelong Learning Academy and an 18-hole putting green.

Poston Butte Golf Club, and the Anthem at Merrill Ranch are a lifestyle you’re a lot closer to than you might think. For more information, contact the friendly golf shop staff at (520) 723-1880 or visit www.postonbuttegc.com .