Replica of Augusta National is the star of this Arizona backyard

GILBERT, Ariz. — The home checked all the boxes: a new build in a desirable Gilbert gated community, single story with enough bedrooms for their young growing family and freeway access just a few minutes away.

But for Andrew Augustyniak, the sprawling backyard large enough to accommodate a nine-hole putting course was perhaps the most important box.

For the former college and professional golfer, having that along with a pool and recreation space that his wife and children could equally enjoy was non-negotiable.

“I wanted to make sure there was enough room to put in stuff for me and the kids. The blank slate made it easy for me to have fun with it and make it into something awesome,” Augustyniak said.

And with some assistance, that he did.

Setting the stage

The 4,300-square-foot single-story home boasts five bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms and an indoor courtyard. The Augustyniaks moved into their home in January 2020, after a year of construction.

Their previous home is just a few miles away. After Augustyniak’s wife, Brittany, suffered an accident that left her with a herniated disc in her back, the two-story home became difficult to navigate multiple times a day. Plus, they sought a safer layout for their young and active children.

They found what they sought in a desirable Whitewing at Germann Estates floor plan that sits on a ½-acre lot. When they moved in, the eight-month project to get their alfresco entertainment haven began.

The home of the Masters — at home

Augustyniak first picked up a golf club when he was two. He never stopped playing and took his talent and passion for the sport through high school and the University of Nevada, where he earned a full-ride scholarship. He played professionally for two years before trading that career for one in the mortgage industry.

However, golf was never close to being out of the picture. Nor his homes.

His course is a replica of the back nine of the Augusta National Golf Club, famously known as the home of the Masters. The nine-hole course spans about 3,000 square feet. It’s played through twice to complete all 18 holes.

The course turf is vibrant green, soft to the touch and remains cool under direct Arizona sun. Fixtures resembling the water features, sand traps and even footbridge of the course’s muse are authentically placed to fit this scale. A clock tower and scoreboard are eye-catchers.

Block lights and spotlights affixed to the house allow for nighttime matches or solo putting.

The course is a natural draw for friends and family, regardless of their level or experience. Many of Augustyniak’s friends from his college and pro days cannot resist giving it a test drive.

The board flaunts the names of the course’s top scorers.

“Everyone wants to make the leaderboard,” Augustyniak said.

And that is not exactly a small feat.

A course that ‘never gets old’

When Augustyniak approached Camron Howell, president and founder of Mesa-based custom putting course company PuttTek, the goal was to make the course difficult to conquer.

Also a golfer, Howell has known Augustyniak for years and well knows his competitive spirit. Augustyniak is a golfing buddy-turned-client-turned business partner at PuttTek.

Per Augustyniak’s wishes, Howell designed the course with a challenge level of, on a scale of one to 10, 10. That, he said, is part of its beauty.

“Some (clients) want the course easy for their friends. He wanted people to come here and be challenged and to have that frustrating experience so when they make it, the high is super high,” Howell said. “As a golfer, you love that. If it’s challenging, it never gets old.”

The course’s foundation is made of 100 tons of crushed granite, which gives it an opportunity to drain so rain or excessive water isn’t a problem. Each turf blade contains fine silica sand which holds them down and keeps the surface flat, which is key to a really smooth putt, Howell said.

But fitting nine holes in the residential space also posed its own set of challenges. After unsuccessfully attempting to convince Augustyniak to do only six, Howell creatively made it happen.

The leaderboard, clock tower and other features helped alleviate a cluttered or crammed-in feeling that Howell wanted to avoid.

In the end, every feature grand and tiny comes together for a recreation area that can be enjoyed by all.

“It’s his way to relax and spend time with his family,” Howell said.

But the golf course is just one much-used attraction.

Custom brick, creative landscaping and in-ground trampoline

The small yard on the west side of the home features a chipping green and an in-ground trampoline, both of which get used often by the Augustyniaks’ children.

A ramada features a dining space, a Traeger grill, a fireplace and a flat-screen TV. An oversized swimming pool measures 36 feet by 16 feet, with an adjoining elevated eight foot by eight foot spa.

Extensive custom brickwork adds to the eye-catching distinctiveness of these amenities. Bricks frame the trampoline, compose the mantle for the fireplace and flat-screen in the ramada and serve as trim around the pool and spa. Brick slats serve as steady bases for poolside loungers.

“The brick goes with the look of the house and ties everything together,” Augustyniak said.

The Augustyniaks came up with the concept. They sought the expertise of Link Pools & Landscape owner Tim Jarnagan to make it a reality.

Jarnagan’s Chandler-based company is responsible for all the non-course features, including 1,800-square feet of pool and deck space, plus landscaping.

“My wife doesn’t like anything that’s standard. When we told Tim all of these ideas, he brought everything to life. He nailed every aspect,” Augustyniak said. “They helped us put it all together as far as functionality, layout and being aesthetically pleasing.”

Brittany Augustyniak wanted to use aged brick, so Jarnagan brought in nine pallets — about 1,000-square feet — of it to make her vision come true. A high brick wall behind the spa offers privacy for that area from neighbors.

A window on the side of the spa allows water to flow into the pool, offering a connectivity that is attractive and functional.

Along the north side wall that serves as the backdrop of the pool and spa, Jarnagan installed trellises and Italian Cypress plants, which will thrive in that location. This, he explained, prevents the flat look of a block wall when for anyone emerging from the home into the yard.

“We were limited on space due to the golf course, so we were presented with a challenge. We went with some vertical greens and vegetation, which leaned us toward the trellises,” Jarnagan said.

The installation of porcelain pavers to create a checkered pattern against the brick was also Brittany Augustyniak’s idea. Although that textile is rarely used outdoors in Arizona due to its retention of heat, Jarnagan was able to make it work by using it in areas with constant ample shade.

“What made this project unique is that the owners had a great vision,” Jarnagan said. “They just partnered with us to help them create it.”

Something for everyone

In addition to his partnership with PuttTek, Andrew Augustyniak runs a mortgage lending branch. In addition to being a full-time mom, his wife works for her father’s medical practice in the billing department, manages their other real estate projects and is about to open a photo studio in Queen Creek.

Their children are six, five and two. Their youngest was born in September.

Augustyniak uses his course daily, sometimes two or three times from sunrise to well after sunset. If he’s still awake when everyone else is asleep, you can find him on the back nine of Augustyniak National.

The kids often go out and putt with him. Friends and family will give it a try when there’s a party, as it gives something different for guests to do beyond typical pool activities or gathering around the grill or TV.

In less than two years, the yard has become a hub of activities for adult gatherings and kids functions alike.

“There’s something for everyone to do, adults, kids. It’s just fun,” Augustyniak said. “It came out 100 percent exactly what we were looking for.”