The rugged beauty of Forest Hills

Pride of La Crosse is a coulee country stunner

Published on November 17, 2011

You can’t miss Forest Hills GC in La Crosse.

Situated at the foot of city landmark Granddad’s Bluff and located on a busy rail-line, the golf course has been an integral part of the La Crosse community since 1900, when La Crosse CC opened under its initial Dutch name, Schaghticoke CC. However, evidence suggests golf was played on the property as far back as 1892.

From 1900 to 1994, La Crosse CC, which is a private club, occupied the city-owned parcel of land. La Crosse CC moved to a new property in Onalaska in 1994, which allowed the old country club course to be changed into a municipal layout.

The course measures 6,065 yards from the back tees and is a par-71 for men and a par-72 for women.

This is coulee country, so Forest Hills plays over rugged terrain offering some spectacular scenery. Fairways flow through hollows and up ridges, and the mighty Mississippi River is visible in the distance. Holes 12-16 occupy a particularly pretty corner of the property. The highest point on the course is the 16^th green.

The busy railroad tracks bisect fairways on Nos. 1 and 18, and the rail-line also lies along the left side on Nos. 8 and 9. There are specific rules in place to keep golfers and trains out of the way of each other, including the basic one, which says the train always plays through. A local rule allows players relief from the tracks and rail bed.

Forest Hills GC is owned by the city of La Crosse and managed by Kemper Sports.

For more information, visit www.foresthillsgolf.org.