Since opening in 2007, Poston Butte Golf Club has been one of the premier golf courses in the Southeast Valley. This Gary Panks design is proudly managed by Troon Golf and serves as the centerpiece for The Pulte Group’s Anthem at Merrill Ranch development. With five sets of tee boxes on each hole and wide fairways, Poston Butte provides an enjoyable experience to golfers of all abilities.

At par 72, all 18 holes on the course offer their own unique features that keep your interest each time you play. All four of the par 3’s are spectacular in their own right, although the 17th hole seems to get the most attention. Serving as the signature hole of the course, it features an island green reminiscent of TPC Sawgrass and can be played from 75 to 169 yards. Although it is the largest green on the course at over 10,000 square feet, thousands of balls are removed from the lake surrounding the green each year. Not to be overlooked, the remaining par 3’s provide as much beauty as they do challenge.

The remaining fourteen holes comprised of four par 5’s and ten par 4’s each provide a great opportunity for blissful success, or dismal failures. The generosity that has been given to the players in the form of wide fairways is balanced out with green complexes that place a premium on thoughtful approach shots. Contoured greens and deep bunkers make firing at the flag a risky proposition. On many occasions, the player must use their creativity to find the safest way to the hole. Golfers with a deft short game and a steady putter will do well at Poston Butte, while those without will quickly understand the adage of ‘driving for show and putting for dough’.

Located just outside one of the oldest towns in Arizona, the golf course pays homage to its historic surroundings. The hill, known as Poston Butte, is located just east of the golf course and is visible from most every hole on the front nine. The hill was named after Charles Poston, a western pioneer, explorer, politician, journalist, and expert in Indian affairs. Poston is regarded as the “Father of Arizona” because of his role in convincing Abraham Lincoln to create the territory of Arizona in 1863. Poston lived in Arizona and served as its first delegate to the US Congress. Upon discovering an Apache ruin atop a hill on the northwest side of Florence, he visualized the tower ruin as a temple where Indians once conducted worship ceremonies. In tribute, he dedicated his personal wealth in 1870 to constructing a pathway leading to a resurrected fire temple known as “Poston’s Butte.” In 1925, nearly 23 years after his death, Poston was buried at the summit of his beloved “Poston’s Butte,” which still stands today. The fire temple serves as the logo for Poston Butte Golf Club and is used throughout the facility. Smaller scale pyramids serve as the tee markers and monument signs for each hole in addition to the logoed apparel in the golf shop. A picture of Charles Poston and his story is also displayed in the golf shop for all to learn and enjoy the rich history of the surrounding land.

Another enjoyable feature of Poston Butte is the player-friendly layout. Greens and tees are in close proximity to one another, which reduces travel times between holes. There are also no blind shots on the course as the landing areas and greens are all kept in plain view of the player. Perhaps one of the more comfortable aspects of the course is that the homes in this beautiful community are not stacked right on top of the golf course. Although they do line the holes, they are set far enough away from play that the player isn’t immediately filled with a sense of anxiety over a stray shot interrupting someone’s morning coffee, a feature homeowners surely enjoy as much as the players themselves!

What makes Poston Butte even better is that you can play it. As a daily-fee golf course, Poston Butte is open to all players and offers affordable green fees throughout the season. Tee times can be booked via phone at 520.723.1880, toll free 888.Troon.US (888.876.6687), or online at www.bookthebutte.com. Special rates are also available to homeowners in the Anthem at Merrill Ranch community.

Poston Butte is also easy to get to, whether you’re coming from Phoenix or Tucson. After just one round here, you’ll want to tell all your friends that Poston Butte is a “Must-Play”. Then again, maybe you’d rather this gem remain hidden and keep it all to yourself.