Stop at the "W" Grill for a bite before your round and admire the great map mural of the beast you'll face. The food more than satisfies, as does the selection of golf gear in the pro shop. The bag drop attendants prepare your tools for you as you prepare your mind and your clean cart awaits on the edge of the first tee precipice exactly when you need it to be there.

The starter suggests you wait to tee off until the group ahead is putting, assuring a smooth and satisfying pace for the front. You can prevent forest fires, but you can't prevent the logjam on the back. Bring along the latest golf publication to learn about the error of your ways as you wait, or simply bask in the beauty and serenity of the houseless property. Either way, relax.

This course receives a lot of play, revealed quite unfortunately on many of the greens. The speed consistency from one green to the next varied considerably as well. The fairways, in contrast, were near perfect. And the inspired designs of several holes were thrilling to play. The 2nd, for instance, is a true 3-shot hole. You'd be foolish to go at it in two even if distance suggests you could. The green is pretty small. The 4th defines risk/reward. The bunker short and left of the 6th green sucks. (So we've heard.) Climb to the tips for an amazing panoramic view from 8, and take advantage of the "easy" birdie hole on 9. Your great grandmother could par the 11th using only a putter. And if you don't get at least two pars on the next four holes (12-15) you're playing the wrong tees. 16 reminds you who's in charge. (Hint: It's not you.) And the "Signature" 17th is a marvelous Par 3 (all carry) over water.

University Ridge was a great experience. Well worth the drive from La Crosse.

Latest Update: 11/25/2010