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University Ridge Golf Course: A Sanctuary for Golf and Nature

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

University Ridge Golf Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., is a public golf course and the official home of the University of Wisconsin men's and women's golf teams. The course, which opened in 1991, offers unique challenges for golfers of every skill level, with five sets of tees ranging from 5,005 to 7,289 yards. The course's diverse landscape features a preserved prairie and marshland on the front nine, while the back nine is carved out of a dense Wisconsin woodland. The 554-yard signature 16th hole, with 3 fairways and 12 bunkers, is a notable feature of the course, as is the 443-yard par 4 18th hole that requires a climb of 182 feet between woodland and prairie.

Key Takeaways:

  • University Ridge Golf Course is a public golf course and the official home of the University of Wisconsin men's and women's golf teams.
  • The course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., opened in 1991 and offers five sets of tees ranging from 5,005 to 7,289 yards.
  • The course is a member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, focusing on water quality, natural resource conservation, and wildlife habitats.
  • The course features a diverse landscape with a preserved prairie and marshland on the front nine and a dense Wisconsin woodland on the back nine.
  • The signature 16th hole features 3 fairways and 12 bunkers, while the 443-yard par 4 18th hole requires a climb of 182 feet between woodland and prairie.
  • The Ice Age Trail, one of eight National Scenic Trails in the U.S., runs through a portion of the golf course.
  • The SDSU golf team, which includes senior McKenzie Mages, posted a 904 (+40) final team tally at the Redbird Invitational last week.
  • Mackenzie Mages secured a top-10 finish, tying for seventh place with a 221 (+5) over three rounds, marking the 11th top-10 finish of her collegiate career.
  • The SDSU golf team will compete in Wisconsin against Summit League foes Denver and St. Thomas.

Statistics:

  • 5,005-7,289 yards: the range of the five sets of tees on University Ridge Golf Course
  • 1991: the year the golf course opened
  • 3: number of fairways on the signature 16th hole
  • 12: number of bunkers on the signature 16th hole
  • 443 yards: the length of the par 4 18th hole
  • 182 feet: the climb required to complete the 443-yard par 4 18th hole
  • 904 (+40): the final team tally posted by the SDSU golf team at the Redbird Invitational
  • 221 (+5): the scorecard of senior McKenzie Mages over three rounds
  • 11: the number of top-10 finishes in McKenzie Mages' collegiate career
  • 7: the place McKenzie Mages tied for at the Redbird Invitational

Sources:

  • University Ridge website
  • South Dakota State University Athletics news release
  • University of Wisconsin Athletics website
  • Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program website
  • National Scenic Trails website
  • Redbird Invitational results

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