Fred and Jackie Westland’s “Eagle’s Nest” in Flagstaff sits at 7,200 feet—high enough to protect them from the predatory heat of the Sonoran Desert summer that is two hours and 5,000 feet south.

Here, at the 600-plus acre Pine Canyon Country Club in Flagstaff, the Westlands slide open expansive family room windows in July and August, when, at twilight, the mercury sinks into the 60’s, sometimes lower. Later, on the covered rear porch, they listen to the pines and aspens rustle in the cool evening air. It is a welcome summer respite: in the winter months, they live in North Scottsdale’s Desert Highlands community.

A few late-day golfers, working the eighth or ninth fairway just beyond the Westlands’ 4,800-sq.-ft. Mountain-style home, may stop while Fred throws them—literally—some cold beverages and cool words of golfing advice. Just by the sliding window, he spins the family’s bronze eagle sculpture, which rests on a pedestal atop the finished pine log stump that serves as its “nest.” Meanwhile, Jackie reads in her favorite chair and enjoys a glass of wine before dinner.

Hours later, an elk herd may pass across the same fairways; and then there are those mesmerizing moonlit nights below the San Francisco Peaks and late-night shrieks and stridulations from the surrounding forests. Someone has to live like this.

On a half-acre lot at the Estates at Pine Canyon—one of the club’s five neighborhoods—the Westlands’ four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath home was built by Scottsdale’s Platinum Homes from July 2006 to June 2007, and designed by Scott Giesen, principal of Phoenix-based Giesen Design Studio, a full-service firm specializing in luxury custom homes. The home’s simple, elegant interior design is by Amelia Kizerian of Park City and Scottsdale.

“It is hard to believe one can drive two hours from the Valley and find this paradise,” says Fred, who is in his 80’s and still golfing and gardening regularly. After he and Jackie moved to Arizona in 1970 from Michigan (they were both born in the Midwest), they owned a lot in the White Mountains and, later, at another Flagstaff country club. But, these communities just weren’t ideal.

“I always said that someday someone would build a fantastic club in Northern Arizona,” Fred says. “The minute I drove into Pine Canyon, I knew it had happened!”

One of the premier golf communities in Arizona, Pine Canyon offers a Jay Morrish-designed 18-hole course (finishing off at a magical island 19th); homes, townhomes and homesites; an award-winning clubhouse; and ponds, lakes and streams. Almost always in sight is the state’s highest point—the 12,637-foot Humphreys Peak—and always accessible are miles of hiking, running and biking paths.

Inside the $22 million, 35,000-sq.-ft. clubhouse, Fred and Jackie can work out in the 1,600-sq.-ft. fitness room; get a massage; play cards with friends; enjoy the heated pool; or dine at the restaurant, with outside dining views of the lake, fairways and mountains.

In the summer, children and grandchildren of community members can enjoy Camp Pine Canyon, with activities such as catch-and-release fishing, nature hikes, sliding into the pool and arts and crafts. “The kids often don’t want to go home at the end of the day,” Fred says. “They’re having so much fun.”