Blackstone Country Club at Vistancia has been awarded the 2017 Golf Endorsed by Members (GEM) award by the Arizona Women’s Golf Association.

Blackstone Country Club in Vistancia (file photo)

Recognition for the award is based on an AWGA member survey that evaluates experiences at golf courses and clubs throughout Arizona for the best places to play in Arizona from a woman’s perspective, and provides feedback for golf course owners as a resource for learning female golfer preferences.

Blackstone Country Club received the golf award based on criteria including customer service, merchandise availability, food and beverage, clubhouse and facilities, and course conditions.

The club’s 7,089-yard course layout was designed by Jim Engh, “Golf Digest’s” first Architect of the Year and four-time “Golf Digest” national award winner. Inspired by courses in Ireland, it features deep chiseled channels with sheer rock faces and a series of black volcanic stones dotted along the magnificent desert golf layout.

The Hacienda-styled, 30,000-square-foot Blackstone clubhouse was designed by Scottsdale architect, Bing Hu of H& S International. The club blends natural materials and historic architecture of the southwest with contemporary design elements of exposed wood beams, brick, stone and stucco creating a natural, old world atmosphere.