A terrific contrast of Scottish-style golf on the front side and a more contemporary parkland look on the back, The Meadows Valley Course at Blackwolf Run offers an exciting challenge to the amateur golfer and a stern test for the professional. Bestowed with several prestigious awards since its opening, the 'Valley' nine comprised half of the routing for the 1998 U.S Women's Open, and the 18th hole (#9 at the Open) is one of GOLF Magazine's Top 500 In The World. But if the closing hole receives most of the attention, the first 17 should still not be overlooked.

While the first two holes at Meadows Valley are straightforward, the round takes a abrupt turn toward the exciting at the par-three third. Measuring 179 yards from the back tee, the approach plays out from a chute of pines to a slightly elevated green protected by a scattering of bunkers, and thick grassy marshland on the right. One of the major factors to take into consideration at Meadows Valley is the prevailing wind; a difficult task here, as the trees offer shelter from the breeze.

Four is a 565-yard par five, aptly named 'Gamble,' as players must choose between two fairways split by a massive sand trap. The longer and more dangerous choice is to the right, which will leave a shorter path to the green, but the cautious player should stay left. After a lay-up, golfers must be wary of the cavernous bunker short and right. Miss there, and it may take multiple swings to get out.

Golfers stepping to the sixth tee have a formidable challenge before them. The toughest hole on the course at 470 yards, this par four named 'Serpentine' weaves through heathland and bunkers. Tee shots must avoid the large bunker flanking the left edge of the fairway, and the long approach must be solidly struck to stay away from three bunkers to the right of the green.

Eight is as tough a test as Meadows Valley has to offer. Measuring 240 yards, any miss left on this long par three means double bogey; a large lake runs from tee to green. The only miss is to the right, into a large collection area, which will nevertheless leave a difficult up-and-down. Players should also make note of the pin position here; the green is 37 yards deep.

'Quiver' opens the back nine, taking the golfer into a new dimension of the experience at Meadows Valley. Measuring 382 yards, the tee shot must be played exactly to a fairway tightly framed by hardwood forest. The small green is set in a low spot, surrounded by large mounds, and a miss left will tumble down into a steep, grassy bank. An excellent short par four.

12, at 461 yards, is a daunting task. Named 'Ledge Walk,' the tee shot is straightaway to a strip of fairway situated on an upland. The long uphill approach is over a deep ravine to a large green that falls off on both sides.

The middle hole on the back nine could be the most scenic at Meadows Valley. This 423-yard par four plays straight out to a strip of a fairway, and it must be hit long enough down the left side to open up the green for the approach. The mid-iron downhill plays between marsh and large willow copses to a treacherous green cut sideways into the water. There is no bailout option here.

15 is called 'Mercy,' and standing on the tee you might find yourself praying for it. Another incredibly difficult hole, this 227-yard par three is all carry over a huge ravine to the largest green on the course. Play long and right to stay dry, and then hope for good fortune trying to get up-and-down from the closely cropped greenside swale.

The 'Salmon Trap' concludes one of the most difficult inwards halves to be found anywhere in North America. Tee off with the red flagstick as your target; it is the green used for those playing from the red tees. After your tee shot, you will likely play to the elevated double green on the other side of the Sheboygan River that is shared with the closing hole at the River Course. In season, Chinook salmon can be spotted fighting the current, struggling, as you will, on this fantastic Pete Dye layout.