The Buzz: The goal in designing a second course at the private Anthem Golf and Country Club was to offer a contrast to Persimmon, the original course that opened in 1999. Architect Greg Nash achieved that with the Ironwood Course, which opened in 2004, by creating a layout that features more of a dunes look with its large, shallow bunkers. “Especially for the members, we wanted a different look and feel,” said Nash, who designed both championship courses in this master-planned community. “I think it’s every bit as nice as the first course, but it definitely is different. This one, I think, is more strategic.”
Part of that strategy on a course framed by Daisy Mountain comes from the 65 bunkers that force golfers to play the smart shot instead of the aggressive shot. There are eight sets of tee combinations, ranging from 5,405 to 7,253 yards on the par-72 layout, which is rated at 74.8 with a slope of 146 from the back tees. Plus the surrounding mountains and wind shifts can create dramatic differences in the way the course plays. It presents generous fairways, bent-grass greens and a particularly nice variety of par-3 and par-5 holes.
Those par 3s are no bargain. No. 4 plays at 220 yards with a lake wrapping around the front and right side of the green and No. 11 plays at 217 yards to a peninsula green. The 11th is part of a three-hole stretch known as “Anthem Alley,” with all three holes playing into a prevailing wind. No. 10 is a 411-yard, downhill par-4, with a peninsula green that doglegs to the right and has a large bunker guarding the front of the green. No. 12 is a par-5 that stretches to 598 yards with a double dogleg. One lake comes into play on the tee shot, another guards the left-front of the green and a wash cuts across the fairway on a 45-degree angle. Right behind that stretch, No. 13 is the second-longest par 4 on the course at 468 yards with a dogleg left and large bunkers on both sides of the fairway coming into play on the tee shot.
Ironwood also offers an impressive 12-acre practice facility with driving range, practice bunkers, a putting green and a unique feature: Nash designed it with flagsticks in the greens that serve as practice targets but also can be used to create a short par-3 course for junior golfers. Locally, Anthem is known for offering two of everything: Two championship courses, two impressive clubhouses, two dining rooms and bars with formal and casual dining, two fitness centers, two heated pools and two tennis gardens with nine courts, including one stadium court.