Green Lake, Wisconsin
The 18-hole Woodlands Course is a stunning contrast to its predecessor, the Links Course. Its fairways are densely tree-lined and guarded by a series of about 80 traps, making it much tighter. Considered a modern target course, it is comprised of radical elevation, and large bent grass greens that are moderately fast and well bunkered. Water comes into play on four holes. This unusual layout is carved out of longstanding forests of oak, maple, pine, elm and walnut trees. Natural wildlife such as whitetail deer, hawk, eagle and turkey are often seen meandering through the virgin timbers. This picturesque tract offers breathtaking lakeshore panorama on hole #3, a.k.a. The Cliff Hole. This truly awesome 169-yard par 3 features a radical 65-foot drop from tee to green. Hole no. 2 is a 341-yard par 4 center pieced with a 90+-year-old stone quarry that separates the fairway from green and donned with the Judson Tower, a historical landmark. Required accuracy and distance make this an unforgiving ogre that has been quoted by Golf Digest readers as “one of the toughest courses you will ever play second only to Blackwolf Run” and “top five best courses ever played.”