Year: 2002
Location: Payson, Arizona
Client: Scott Lyon, Wesroc Hospitality
Type: Hospitality – Golf Clubhouse
Size: 29,000 sf facility
Status: Completed, in operation for over twenty years
Role: James Easton, Project Designer
Firm: Cox James Architects, Architect of Record

The Rim Golf Clubhouse

The Rim Golf Clubhouse is located in the mountain community of Payson, Arizona, set within the Ponderosa pine forests of the Mogollon Rim at an elevation of approximately 5,000 feet. Designed as the architectural centerpiece of a private golf community, the clubhouse was conceived as a mountain manor — a building that would appear timeless and deeply rooted in its landscape rather than newly constructed. The project serves as the social heart of the community, overlooking the championship golf course and the vast forests that define Arizona’s Rim Country.

The design draws inspiration from traditional mountain lodges and historic manor houses found in alpine environments, where buildings evolve over generations through the careful addition of wings, terraces, and stone structures. Rather than presenting a single contemporary mass, the clubhouse is composed as a collection of interconnected volumes built from native stone, heavy timber framing, and sheltered outdoor terraces. The architecture is intended to feel as though it grew naturally from the hillside, reinforcing the rugged beauty of the surrounding terrain.

Craftsmanship played a defining role in the execution of the project. Large stone fireplaces anchor the primary gathering spaces, with individual stones selected and cut to create sculptural mantles and hearths that appear carved from the mountain itself. Massive timber beams span vaulted ceilings, while hand-crafted chandeliers, wood paneling, and layered interior spaces create an atmosphere that is both refined and comfortable. The great room, organized around monumental fireplaces and expansive glazing, captures views of the golf course and surrounding forest while serving as the central gathering space for members and guests.

Outdoor terraces and covered dining patios extend the clubhouse experience into the mountain landscape, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy the cool climate and sweeping views across the course. These spaces support the social life of the community, hosting weddings, celebrations, tournaments, and seasonal gatherings that have become part of the club’s ongoing tradition.

The Rim Golf Club community has long attracted second-home residents seeking refuge from the desert heat of Phoenix and Scottsdale, including professionals, entrepreneurs, and professional athletes drawn to the privacy and natural beauty of the Mogollon Rim. Within this setting, the clubhouse functions not only as a place for golf and dining, but as a venue where friendships are formed, families gather, and memories are made.

Today, the Rim Golf Clubhouse stands as a defining landmark within the community and a testament to the enduring appeal of mountain architecture rooted in craftsmanship, landscape, and the traditions of hospitality.

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