Viroqua Hills-May 2010

Viroqua Hills is a fun course to play, and one of the nicest courses in the area between La Crosse and Madison. It is a course with two distinct nines: an older nine in which the holes are straighter, there aren’t as many water hazards or bunkers, and big mature trees lines every hole; and a newer nine which has a few more twists and turns, a healthy amount of sand and water, and fewer trees. That’s not to say that there aren’t any trees on the newer holes, just that they are not quite as prevalent as on the older holes. Both nines share two main features: elevated tee boxes and drastically hilly topography. Personally, I wouldn’t want to walk this course unless I was in training to climb Mt. Everest. Make sure you get a cart. The original nine holes were built in 1941, and the new nine holes were added in 1996.
    The first hole at Viroqua Hills is one of the older holes, and starts right next to the clubhouse, with a lovely view from the high vantage point to the landing area in the valley floor below. Make sure you notice where the flag is on the green while you’re on the tee, since your second shot will have a good chance of being blind. There is quite a hill in the fairway between the landing area and the green, which can totally eliminate the view of the flag. A couple of bunkers short of the green are the only hazards, other than all the trees lining both sides of the fairway.
    The 2nd hole is a short par-5 of just under 500 yards that heads back up the hill, and the 3rd hole is a long par-4 of over 450 yards that, thankfully, heads back down hill. After the 3rd hole, golfers take a trip through a tunnel underneath Highway 61, to the 4th hole, which is the first of the newer holes that golfers get to play. Hole #4, which plays to over 410 yards from the back tees, also has a very elevated tee box, with the fairway sitting about 50 feet below. There are two fairway bunkers lurking in the landing area, but the biggest obstacle that a lot of people may have trouble with is the fact that there is OB just a few yards to the right of the fairway. Righthanders better not hit a slice off this tee, or their ball will end up in the middle of a cornfield. If you do keep your ball inbounds, you’ll be faced with a second shot to a very deep, squarish green that is flanked by water to the left and behind.
    The 5th hole at Viroqua Hills is a nice par-3 that maxes out at 176 yards. The green on this hole is a ticklish two-tiered brute, and is surrounded by sand on all sides, except in the front. If you possibly can, keep your ball below the hole, or you’ll face a very difficult downhill putt. Since there is no sand in front, maybe a good strategy would be to aim for the front edge, which would ensure an uphill putt no matter where the pin is placed. It’s just an idea.
    The 8th hole is a fun par-5 that takes a big turn to the left around a hill and a big grove of birch trees. At the green, the fairway actually turns slightly back to the right, so I guess you could say this was a double dogleg. A stately oak tree guards the right rough, making a narrow chute in which your second shot must travel. A very skinny elevated green awaits your approach shot, so you better be accurate.
    The 11th hole is the signature hole at Viroqua Hills. It is a relatively benign par-5, measuring just a fraction over 500 yards from the tips. There really isn’t all that much danger on this hole either, with just a single fairway bunker placed about 300 yards out, a few small trees in the right rough, and a water hazard.  The water does sit deviously close to the back edge of the green, though, so don’t be long with your approach. What makes this hole the signature hole at Viroqua Hills is the view from the tee box. The tee box was built right on the side of a very steep hill, more than 100 feet above the fairway. It seemed like I could see for miles in all directions from up there. Even though the hole is not that long, the green is so far below the tee box that it seems like it’s miles away. What a beautiful view!
    The 12th hole looks like it should be a pretty easy par-4, measuring just 360 yards. There is much danger lurking on this hole, however, so don’t be fooled. Okay, actually there isn’t all that much danger, other than the fact that it heads straight back up the hill, and the grass in front of the green is mown short enough to allow any shot that comes up short to roll back down the hill about 30 or 40 yards. Take it from me, you need to take at least one extra club on your approach shot to ensure you reach the putting surface. If not, a very arduous chip shot (or several) up the hill will await you.
    The 12th hole concludes our tour of the “new” holes at Viroqua Hills. To reach the last six holes we head back through the tunnel to the other side of Highway 61. As I mentioned earlier, the older holes are a little more straightforward, with not as many twists and turns, and not as many hazards, either, but the constant elevation change and the amount of big, stately trees help to make them an interesting set of holes. I especially like the short 14th hole, a par-4 that measures right at 300 yards from the tips. This hole heads uphill from the tee box, and takes just a diminutive turn to the right around a small grove of big trees. A lot of people (right-handers who slice the ball) will have a difficult second shot from behind these trees, and will have to decide whether to try to go over them, around them, or underneath them. For a short par-4, this could cause a lot of people to pull their hair out.
    The rest of the holes at Viroqua Hills head back up and down the steep slopes, with countless pine trees and stately oak trees causing most of the damage, until you reach the 18th green, which brings you back to the clubhouse. Next time you find yourself vacationing in the Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin, or if you happen to live in the area, remember to bring your clubs and play a round at Viroqua Hills. Make sure you rent a cart, though, because hiking up and down these hills is not for the faint of heart.