When preparing an outstanding meal, a chef needs the right ingredients to create a masterpiece. For our golfing day at Poston Butte, this is what made the recipe complete.
My three playing companions warm up on a very manicured range.
We pulled into the parking lot, which was spotless and were immediately greeted by Kurdt at the bag drop, very nice and a helpful young Iowan. Typical of a Troon facility, the pro shop is simple, uncluttered and perfectly laid out. GM Steve Leon, formerly from Troon North, greets us warmly. We share a few pleasantries and with clubs loaded on our power cart, we head out to the range.
Looking up the fairway on the 1st hole a gentle par 4, outstanding condition.
Beautifully sculptured bunkers are prevalent throughout this gem of a course.
The range is meticulously groomed with large plastic containers of balls positioned at each hitting station. The practice green and adjacent bunkered chipping green are located right next to the pro shop. All the key features of getting ready to tee off on the first hole are right in front of you.
Randee from the bright colored Bermuda hits up toward the 3rd green.
To make sure you know your way around, when to tee off and some important features of playing this treasure Tom, the starter, in his very friendly Kentucky manner sets you right. The main piece of advice, position your ball below the hole. Ah ha the greens are slick, good to know.
Jay strikes the ball and watches it land on the apron of the Par 3 4th.
It’s not overly busy so Myra and I are playing as a twosome and while warming up on the range I admire the swing of a man 40 feet away that makes me at 5’ 11” feel pretty small.
The Par 3 7th protected by bunkers right, my birdie attempt from 8 feet just missing.
After about a 15-minute warm up, we go test out the putting green, a very light-colored grass, a dormant tiff dwarf putting surface. Smooth as china silk, I don’t care if they are polka dotted with pink spots, if they run like my Daddy’s billiard table I’ll be beaming all day. It will also eliminate excuse 17 of the 100 golf excuses list “Lousy greens”.
Looking back towards the tee on 9th at absolutely pristine fairways.
If this is the start to the chef’s meal, then the final course will be fit for royalty. We are now sharing this huge surface with the big lanky fellow and his lady, when Tom asks me would we mind being paired up with a twosome for pace of play. Myra and I are more than happy to play golf in a foursome so I tell him- “Absolutely”. It might have been the best decision we made that day as we couldn’t find a friendlier and more delightful couple to play with. Stir in a portion of Jay and Randee from Iowa to the mix.
Tucked in far right, the flagstick teases you to go for it on 11, this time I miss from 9 feet.
This Troon managed marvel is a spectacle of sheer sensation. Situated very close to Florence, AZ it stands on an isolated patch of the desert floor providing a very tranquil and peaceful golfing experience.
Although there is a slight distraction from this as a result of some residential construction around the 9thhole, at times you played your shot and it was if you were in total silence. If I was asked to use only one word to describe our round and time there or challenged to write the worlds shortest golf review I would simply describe it as “flawless”.
Everything any golfer would ask for, superb conditions throughout.
A very tricky display of bunker configuration.
We were smiling and laughing about life before we even teed off on the first hole. My immediate reaction to seeing what was in front of us was awe. The contrast between the bright seemingly white dormant Bermuda rough and the over seeded brilliant green fairways was as defined as a black line drawn on white paper. The uniquely colored almost pale tan greens looked unusual to or Canadian eyes, but were in mint condition. They rolled exactly like the practice green and held full shots from over 200 yards easily. The rust colored bunkering with exacting edges made the course look like a 4-color painting. Often said and not mine to own “a picture is worth a thousand words” is succinct and worth noting, just see for yourself.
Every hole a sight to behold
The weather also cooperated as its supposed to here in southern Arizona and by lunch was a windless 68F. There were numerous spectacular golf holes as well as shots from all four of us. Jay, not surprisingly humbly, shared he was a 1 handicap and playing with him was like following your favorite Champions Tour pro. He parred the first 8 holes and then holed out a 30-yard pitch shot over a greenside bunker on the illustrious Par 5 9th for eagle, two under par. I said to Myra I wonder what he shoots when he’s trying. We laughed and enjoyed his talent. His wife Randee was as good off the tee as any lady golfer I’ve seen. She bombed more than a handful of drives well over 200 yards, one I’m sure reaching 250.
Even off the course the areas with these desert grasses adds to its beauty.
My little dynamo, Myra, made some great shots. Although comparing yourself to a guy that shoots 2 under is potentially dangerous, I made 7 pars and missed 4 birdie putts from inside 10 feet. The conversation flowed, the sun warmed our muscles and all four us played and acted like we had been life-long friends. Myra started really well had a 3-hole stumble and then got back on track. I should have had a tape recording of “great Par’ and “great drive” to play for Jay after he putted out and Rande when she teed off.
Look for Myra’s ball as it soars onto the 17th green from one of the 5 tee boxes.
The most gratifying moment of the day was left to the ladies though. It was their turn to shine and it happened on the signature hole the Par 3 17th, a true island green. Myra in her poised way followed Randee’s great shot and hit over the water and onto the green. A 50-footer for Myra was no easy two putt and when it rolled 15 feet by I thought for a moment that I may be saying “Bogeys, still a good score hon”. Randee only had 15 feet for her first putt, hitting it right under the hole.
The finishing hole another very exciting daunting Par 5.
After a little adjustment to her line Myra, who is a really good putter, drew back the putter and caressed it downhill breaking at the last foot and in for par! Big smiles from all 4 of us and then it was to Randee. With no hesitation she left her best putt until the 17th, great timing really as it was what they call a “no doubter”, boom straight in the heart for a birdie. Here, the ladies ruled!
All four of us played the 18th really well, at least to the point of putting to a really tricky back left sloped pin placement that no one made from any length. It mattered not, we had just completed the desert masterpiece what was undeniably one of the best days of golfing ever.
The flag tucked back left just to make sure par was not taken for granted.
Hugs, handshakes and high fives followed. After loading up the clubs, we headed to the patio at the Anthem Grille to share a drink, our addresses and a vow to repeat it again. You see some things in life must be enjoyed again.
Jay, Randee, Myra and Bill celebrate our rewarding day.
The recipe was complete, the meal had been prepared and every bit of it was eagerly eaten. Truly spectacular in every way Poston Butte like Bo Derek back in the 80’s can be called a 10.
www.postonbuttegc.com
(520) 723 1880
With the CDN dollar difference what is your opinion on course comparisons . Thanks
Very good question, if you are budget conscious playing twilight times or utilizing the various tee times apps like Golf Now can soften the blow.