Category: Anthem

The Buzz: This course, which opened in 1999, is the first of two excellent championship layouts created by designer Greg Nash at Anthem Country Club, five years before the Ironwood Course was unveiled in this master-planned community. Persimmon is the more traditional of the two and remains the favorite of many members at this private club. The par-72 course has six sets of tees, ranging from 5,405 to 7,253 yards and is rated at 74.9 with a slope of 141 from the tips. Lakes bring water into play on six holes.

It is best known for its 18,000-square-foot green complex that serves as the green for both the ninth and 18th holes, but there are several more memorable holes in this layout, including a three-hole stretch that starts at No. 2. The second is an intimidating par 3 at 197 yards from the back tee with a lake running along the right side and a lake and two bunkers on the left and playing slightly downhill. No. 3 is a 556-yard par 5 with a 30-foot drop from tee to fairway. Bunkers on the right direct the tee shot to an area where the fairway narrows and the second shot club selection is determined by pin placement. A front-right pin allows for a wood to carry a fairway bunker on the right, and a back-left pin placement is protected by a long, deep bunker short left and a lake on the back left. No. 4, a 440-yard par 4 features a long, uphill dogleg right with a wash running down the entire left side, and tee shots must carry two pot bunkers to avoid grass traps on the left. The three-tiered green is highlighted by a pot bunker on the back right.

No. 9 is a truly memorable hole, a 400-yard par 4 where a tee shot that avoids a large fairway bunker will set up an easy approach. However, a deep canyon separates the fairway and green with a bailout area short right. The double green, shared with 18, is two-tiered with a bunker protecting the back tier. Highlights on the back nine include the par-4 10th and the par-5 16th holes. The risk-reward 10th is the shortest par 4 on the course at 343 yards and plays downhill, but a deep swale runs through the middle of the landing area, setting up a tricky approach and a lake on the left catches errant tee shots. A large green is bisected by a ridge with a bunker back right and water on the left side. No. 15, at 582 yards, also plays downhill to a generous, plateau fairway bisected by a wash. The second part of the fairway, near the green, is divided by a long, snaking bunker with the right side hugging the mountain edge and allows a bold second shot to roll onto the green. Shots to the lower left will not hold the green.

Add it up and this is a course that keeps you thinking for 18 holes, or at least it had better. Anthem offers its members a host of first-class amenities. Locally, it is known for offering two of everything: Two 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.

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.