Blackstone pushes the envelope

Sheer rock faces, wildly undulating fairways and cavernous bunkers are among the many natural features at the new Blackstone Country Club golf course. The course is one of the many amenities offered by this private, gated country club community within the Vistancia master plan located west of Lake Pleasant in Peoria, Ariz.

Architect James J. Engh of Castle Rock, Colo., created Blackstone Country Club’s private, 18-hole championship course. Engh’s work has resulted in his being named Golf Digest’s first Architect of the Year and a third straight win in the magazine’s annual survey of “America’s Best New Courses.” He is known for being a student of Irish links courses and incorporating the natural landscape into the course.

The Engh team explored the valleys, arroyos and ridges of Blackstone and used Mother Nature’s dramatic features to achieve a course that is playable from the first stroke and yet challenging with every swing, every game. Each hole offers its own distinctive attributes from lakes and serpentine bunkers to nearly hidden greens and towering rock walls.

The tee shot on the par-5 third hole must carry a large arroyo to a fairway split by a solitary pot bunker. Two bunkers, one guarding the landing area and one fronting the green, and a deep swale short of the green make the approach to this narrow putting surface a test of skill.

The eighth hole, known as The Volcano, has an enormous green that falls off on all three sides. However, there’s a great chance to birdie this par 3 because the green is contoured so that most shots roll to the spine in the middle.

The green setting on the par-5, ninth hole, is dramatic. Golfers must stay clear of the arroyo that runs up the right side of the hole and crosses in front of the green, which sits up high in a natural amphitheater with vertical rock faces on three sides.

The 16th hole plays tricks with the mind. As golfers tee off, the fairway extends in front and the green is visible in the distance. However, two outcroppings pinch the fairway, making it appear that there is no room to land the tee shot. In reality, the landing is more than ample while putting may prove to be the great adventure because the green falls off on all sides.

Tucked between the ninth and 10th holes will be the Hacienda, a 30,000-square-foot clubhouse delivering all the upscale amenities worthy of this championship golf course. Construction is under way and will be completed in late 2006. Until then, a temporary clubhouse will begin operation.

Equity social memberships and a limited number of golf memberships will be available.

Blackstone at Vistancia is a joint venture between Sunbelt Holdings and Shea Homes, both headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz.

For additional information about Blackstone, call 623-476-2923 or 800-617-5301 or visit the Web site at www.blackstonecountryclub.com.