Encanterra is a par-72 course that plays 5,264 yards from the front tees and 7,176 from the back.
The Valley's newest gem
Dave Vest
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 16, 2008 04:25 PM
When most people picture the outskirts of the Southeast Valley, visions of lush, grassy landscaping probably don't pop to mind.
But that's what golfers will find at the new Encanterra course in Queen Creek. The private course is set to open Jan. 26. Memberships still are available.
Tom Lehman and the Lehman Design Group created the course, which eventually will be the centerpiece of a Trilogy Country Club community that features 12 different models of Shea Homes ranging from $257,990 to $501,990.
Lehman's vision was to design a core golf layout within the development that would offer unparalleled quality and challenges for every player.
"Good players will appreciate the nuances of strategy that this course presents," Lehman says in the course brochure. "We've worked hard to create situations where players can choose to play a variety of shots. The course does not dictate which shots a player must play."
More on that later.
First, let it be known there are 25 acres of water to contend with on this par-72 course that plays 5,264 yards from the front tees and 7,176 from the back. More than half of the holes feature the wet stuff in lake and/or creek form.
There also are about 1,000 freshly planted trees and plenty of the aforementioned Bermuda grass; another desert course this is not.
"Not many golf courses in this area have turf," Encanterra's head golf professional Chris Schwartz said. "Most of them, for 18 holes, have 70 acres of turf. We have 140 acres of turf. . . . Our goal here is that four-hour round of golf, and you can't do that if you're searching for balls in the desert."
There are several memorable holes on this course, which offers views of the Superstition Mountains to the north and the Santan Mountains to the southwest.
Lehman's favorite is No. 12, a 322-yard par-4 that tempts long hitters to go for the green off the tee.
Schwartz lists No. 16 as his favorite hole for strategic and aesthetic reasons.
The tricky par-4 features a lake on the left of the fairway that gradually drifts into play as a creek and protects the green. It's an eye-pleasing hole with two grass covered foot bridges crossing the creek at different points.
"When you play that hole, especially in the afternoon, and you can see and hear the creek, it's so peaceful and tranquil," Schwartz said. "I think it really brings back that traditional feel of this is what golf is all about."
Another hole worth noting is No. 9, a challenging par-3 that Schwartz already has dubbed "The Monster."
It's an intimidating 238-yarder from the back tee box, with water along the entire right side of the fairway.
"If you go after the pin or green from the back tee you have to carry it all the way over water," Schwartz said. "It's very long and challenging, but the way Tom and his team have designed the hole, you still get a bail-out area to the left side of the green, so if you can't carry it (the water), there's still an option for you to give you a chance to salvage a par."
Because the fairways at Encanterra are so wide and forgiving, the greens have been designed to protect the course from low scores. More specifically, they're big, multi-leveled and quick (about 11 on the Stimp Meter).
"The greens are going to challenge the low handicappers and the high handicappers, are going to love the fact that if and when they miss a shot, they're going to be able to find it on turf and not have to search through the desert rocks," Schwartz said. "Every skill level is going to enjoy this course."
Encanterra already is slated to host some marquee tournaments in 2008. The Gateway Tour will stage its Winter Series Championship there March 6-9.
"Tom and his team did a great job designing this course," Schwartz said. "I think it's a tribute to them and what they've accomplished to have the future golfers of the PGA Tour playing here two months after we open."
Other tournaments set for Encanterra this year include the Arizona Open (Sept. 8-13) and the Junior Golf Association of Arizona's Thunderbird Invitational (March 15-16).
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart also has scheduled a charity event at Encanterra in April.
Amenities
At Encanterra, life at home is just the start. Located in the Southeast Valley, there is always something to do, or someone to go see. And pick your favorite playground, because we've got all of your wishes covered with our amazing Resort Club, the private championship golf course, and much, much more. What's the hardest part about life as an Encanterran? Deciding what to do next...
Resort Club
No doubt you've noticed that spending time at a five star resort has the obvious drawback of a looming checkout date. Encanterrans have no such issues. The 42,000 square foot Resort Club is dedicated to delivering an exceptional, members-only experience and there's never a need to depart. Here are a few appetizers to get you started:
Fully equipped golf shop
State-of-the-art athletic club
Contemporary indoor and outdoor pools
Revitalizing and indulgent spa
Friendly cafe and elegant restaurant dining accommodations
Flexible and inviting ballroom and indoor/outdoor event spaces
Convenient and fully appointed business center
Full-service concierge
Private lounges
Private Golf Course
Crafted by Tom Lehman, Encanterra's classically styled course offers a unique and very private golf experience for discerning players who truly cherish the game. Or to put it another way, this is life the way the golf angels imagined it. And private means the only possible distraction is the beauty of the course itself. It's a foursome, not a mob-some.
Unique core-golf layout offering unparalleled quality of play
Lush landscape palette reminiscent of Arizona's classic private clubs
Thrilling design that incorporates deft shot-making opportunities and dramatic risk-reward challenges which players of all levels will enjoy
Inviting social calendar of golf activities, including regular weekly games and world-class competitive play for members and their guests
Exceptional professional staff wholly committed to providing members with the finest playing experience possible and dedicated to helping its membership enhance their own playing abilities
Athletic Club
The state-of-the-art facility includes:
Professional, onsite staff
Cardio, free weight and resistance training equipment
Group fitness studios
Tennis facilities including a lighted stadium court
Personal training and assistance
Indoor and outdoor pools
Locker rooms with saunas and steam rooms
Dining
Member-only dining selections include:
Service-focused dining experience offering everything from fine dining to casual fare
Numerous engaging private, indoor and outdoor dining rooms
Cafe offering assorted light fare and a chef-staffed restaurant
Relaxing lounge providing a tempered social atmosphere
Flexible catering capacity
Home Models
There is little question that the first Encanterran was an architect or perhaps an interior designer. For nowhere is this gracious and fully engaged lifestyle more apparent than at home. There are three distinct collections, each characterized by their fusion of old and new world, entertainment and privacy, the sensible and the luxurious.
Within these collections, a tailored palette of 14 floor plans blends contemporary architecture, lifestyle-directed convenience and energy efficient performance.
Italian, Spanish and Andalusian elevations are available on every floor plan across all three home collections. These exterior elevations are designed to offer you the greatest level of personalization and opportunity to create a unique and distinctive street scene.
The Spanish elevations are touched with full arches, hand-painted tiles around the doors and windows and smooth stucco. The Italian elevations are appointed with pronounced roof lines, wrought iron accents above the windows and corbels that frame the patio and garage corners. The Andalusian elevations are highlighted by hand-laid brick above both the garage and patio.
Thoughtful and spacious floor plans range from 1,400 - 3,700 square feet. Your livable area is enhanced with optional features like rolling walls of glass that invite the "outside in" and fully finished garage workspace ready to take on any project.
In short, there are countless ways to say "welcome home."
Homes from the $200's....for more info and floorplans, contact me today! Incentives available up to $100,000!!
St. Tropez Plan - $262,990* - 1,437 sq. ft.Perfect for entertaining, this home feels much larger than it appears. The main living area overlooks the backyard, the open kitchen is positioned to give the chef a view of the entire great room, and a radius island serves as additional workspace. Since the master suite and the guest room are separated, you and your guests enjoy the ultimate in privacy. View the eBrochure for this model.
Monaco Plan - $272,990* - 1,583 sq. ft.Once you enter through the front courtyard of the Monaco model, you’ll soon find yourself in a grand space. The great room and dining room are promoted as separate yet collective areas, flooded with natural light. The inviting den overlooks the backyard and a covered outdoor patio. View the eBrochure for this model.
Cannes Plan - $292,990* - 1,773 - sq. ft.This home offers ideal livability. The great room, dining room and spacious covered patio are positioned to draw your attention to the comer fireplace while offering outdoor views through a rolling glass wall. With two bedrooms plus a multitude of options for dens and office workspace, this model also has the innovative feature of functional smart space that allows for less clutter and more storage. View the eBrochure for this model.
 Nice Plan - $308,990* - 1,928 sq. ft.This spectacular home includes an elegant gallery hall off of which all rooms connect. An arched opening to the dining room is defined by rolling glass walls that accentuate the special visual boundaries of the room. A state-of-the-art kitchen is ideal for entertaining and the versatile den space allows you to create a home office or third bedroom—you choose. Nestled in the rear of the home is a resort-style master suite with a private bathroom. View the eBrochure for this model.
*Price varies by elevation.
Italia Models
Casual yet elegant, the Italia Collection features a grand family room strategically positioned in the rear of each home. Blending indoor fun and outdoor festivities, these homes offer an entertainment environment that knows no bounds. Ten-foot ceilings, massive eight-foot interior doors, and glorious panes of glass are all perfectly placed to enhance sight lines and flood these models with natural light.
To help you visualize the innovative design and special features of each Trilogy home, we’ve created an immersive interactive tool. Click the images below to take you to that model’s eBrochure. There you can view photos, review floor plans, and experiment with design options.
Positano Plan - $356,990* - 2,121 sq. ft.This model provides a unique feel of privacy along with expansive open spaces. You enter through an elongated formal exterior space into an inviting foyer, where a warm interior courtyard opens to a great room and a large kitchen, extending your living space for ultimate entertaining. The split floor plan of this model has been strategically designed with a guest suite featuring a large bedroom and full private bath. View the eBrochure for this model.
Genova Plan - $366,990* - 2,180 sq. ft.The inviting castle-style entry flows through an elegant foyer, which passes by a library, and carries you into a large great room and kitchen area. Step onto the wrap-around patio with a cozy outdoor fireplace and you’ll find the perfect spot for entertaining. French doors in the luxurious master suite also open to the outdoors, further extending your living space. View the eBrochure for this model.
Palermo Plan - $374,990* - 2,280 sq. ft.If your lifestyle includes a fair number of overnight guests, this model is a perfect choice. The design provides true privacy with the main living area separating the master suite and the guest retreat. You’ll also have the flexibility to create an office or a room to accommodate more guests, depending on your lifestyle. And the garage, positioned next to the kitchen, makes managing your groceries much easier. View the eBrochure for this model.
 Napoli Plan - $378,990* - 2,281 sq. ft.The marvelous, symmetrical foyer greets your guests with formal elegance. The great room works in harmony with the kitchen that opens to the inviting covered patio, perfect for casual and formal entertaining. The soft architectural design of the master suite suggests resort accommodations. And if you’re looking for recreation options, the “Smart Space” configuration can act as a garage for your golf cart or be used as a workshop. View the eBrochure for this model.
*Price varies by elevation.
España Models
With stucco archways, intimate courtyards and a range of exterior colors, you can see why it’s so easy to get lost in the architectural craftsmanship of the España Collection before ever stepping foot inside. Soaring ceilings, brilliant natural light, a large kitchen at the hub of the house and exterior courtyards earn this collection unmatched distinction while creating an inviting and open environment for entertaining. Click on the images below to see the ebrochures.
To help you visualize the innovative design and special features of each Trilogy home, we’ve created an immersive interactive tool. Click the images below to take you to that model’s eBrochure. There you can view photos, review floor plans, and experiment with design options.
Tarragona Plan - $415,990* - 2,382 sq. ft.This spacious two bedroom, 2.5 bath home offers a great room, an expanded laundry room, a huge executive den, an oversized two-car garage, and a bonus room off the large master suite that’s perfect for exercise, crafts or a library. Enjoy the sun-drenched gourmet kitchen, roll back the glass wall, and step outside to the private courtyard. View the eBrochure for this model.
Marbella Plan - $437,990* - 2,726 sq. ft.The Marbella defines elegance. A soft courtyard created by a casita and garage give this home a classic “H” style layout. The living room, great room, patio, and kitchen are all tied together, creating a vibrant environment for entertaining. Towards the front of the house sits the den/office that allows for a private and quiet environment. View the eBrochure for this model.
Alicante Plan - $474,990* - 3,403 sq. ft.This three-bedroom, 2.5 bath architectural masterpiece features a majestic staircase with a fan landing in the entryway that draws your eye to the open cathedral ceiling. The luxurious master suite on the main level is capped with a unique bay window while the bath provides a spa-like atmosphere and separate vanities. The kitchen has two expansive islands and a morning room large enough to entertain. View the eBrochure for this model.
Valencia Plan - $493,990 - 3,764* sq. ft.The design of this three-bedroom home is sophisticated yet delightfully livable. Set in the middle of the home, the striking outdoor living space is visible from the dining room, great room, and the morning room. The dinning room opens to an airy space with an elegant stairway and open loft. On the second level the master suite has a private balcony that can be accessed by the grand staircase or by elevator. View the eBrochure for this model.
*Price varies by elevation.
Randy Curnutt
602-677-1002
randy@buyanewhomeinaz.com |