Dr. Peter and Samantha Liang hadn’t yet made up their minds about joining Blackstone Golf Club in Peoria when they purchased a home in the community earlier this year.

It had been four years since Samantha Liang had been on a golf course and two young children, ages 3 and 11 months, made it difficult to devote time to the game. “Then my husband played his first round on the course and he loved it. And then I walked into the Hacienda clubhouse and that convinced me — it’s just beautiful.”

The Liangs are among 20 new members to Blackstone Country Club this year following the restructuring of its golf and social membership programs to grow the club and maintain its viability in the current economy.

Blackstone is a 570-acre gated community within the Vistancia master plan.

Featuring world-class greens, the stylish informality of the clubhouse facilities and kid-friendliness, the club is attracting a dynamic mix of empty-nesters and younger families with growing kids.

“Because it is extremely family-friendly, we’re up there (at the clubhouse) that much more,” pointed out Samantha Liang, adding that their daughter’s baptism reception was recently held at the Hacienda and they are planning her first birthday party at the clubhouse pool. “We’re also talking about getting our son his first set of golf clubs so he can join Blackstone’s junior golf program.” She added, “My husband is out there (on the course) every week which is a huge source of relaxation for him.”

“Blackstone has a very diverse demographic bringing together people of all ages who enjoy this type of private club lifestyle,” said Melissa Barton, Blackstone Country Club membership director.

Empty-nesters Joanne and Dan Bateman just moved into a new golf villa at Blackstone which is, “The perfect size, represents ease of living and fits our needs,” said Dan Bateman. They purchased a social membership entitling them to the use of the clubhouse amenities (excluding golf) like the 3,000 square-foot fitness center, lighted tennis courts, pools and restaurant facilities and to participate in scheduled activities.

The “personal touch” and the proximity of the amenities were the reasons the Batemans chose Blackstone when they made the decision to downsize from a larger home. “Our decision was also influenced by the restaurant and pool area” at the clubhouse, said Dan Bateman.

Debbie and Owen Pulliam are residents of Phoenix who became members of the golf club in August without purchasing real estate in the community. The good value they receive as Blackstone members played a significant role in their choice of private clubs, said Owen Pulliam, who is the chief security officer for Honeywell Aerospace. It’s the best golf facility I’ve ever been to,” he pointed out. “The course conditions are superb.”

Members most frequently comment on the year-round quality of the fairways and greens, the smoothness of the greens resulting in a true roll and the consistency of the bunkers. “It all boils down to a good team putting out lots of effort and working hard,” said Todd Cernohous, Blackstone’s director of golf. “And you have to be smart about issues when they occur.”

The award-winning Jim Engh-designed championship course is meticulously cared for by a team of 25 seasoned professionals, many of whom have been on staff since course construction. The course opened in November 2005. “We definitely have an understanding of the property and its surroundings and that always helps,” said Blackstone Course Superintendent Roger Brashear.

Brashear is an advocate of sustainability and uses organic products on the Blackstone course. In 2009, it was designated a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, the 10th in Arizona and the 778th in the world, for demonstrating a strong commitment to its environmental program and maintaining a high degree of environmental quality.

This included providing a sanctuary for wildlife including mule deer, ducks, badgers, bobcats, prairie dogs, chipmunks, many types of birds and wild donkeys.

“The environmental management practices we follow are respectful of the land, wildlife, water and air. But they also help us to improve our efficiency in maintaining the course and will ultimately help us achieve sustainability,” said Brashear.

“ I like the fact that the course is Audubon certified,” said member Samantha Liang, an avid recycler. “They go above and beyond to be kind to the earth.”

Blackstone at Vistancia offers custom home sites from the mid-$100,000s, villas from the $200,000s and homes starting in the low $300,000s.

For more information on golf and social memberships, call 623.707.8700, for real estate, contact Vistancia Realty at 623.476.2923 or visit Facebook or the website at www.blackstonecountryclub.com.