University Ridge Golf Course

Verona, WI • Public

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Courtesy of the club/All in the Timing

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Courtesy of the club/All in the Timing

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Courtesy of the club/All in the Timing

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Courtesy of the club/All in the Timing

Overview

University Ridge is the home course of the University of Wisconsin men’s and women’s golf teams, as well as the annual host of the PGA Tour Champions’ American Family Insurance Championship. The front nine at this Robert Trent Jones Jr. design plays through a prairie and marshland before transitioning to wooded holes on the back. The last couple of holes open again to the prairie, including at the par-4 18th, which plays sharply uphill to the highest point on the property.

About

Holes 18

Length 7259

Slope 144

Price $99

Facility Type Public

Designer Robert Trent Jones Jr., ASGCA

Awards

Ranking history:

Best in State: Top 5 in state 1993-1997, 2001 & 2005, Top 10 in state 1999. Ranked 14th, 2023-'24. Ranked 15th, 2021-'22.
2023-'24 ranking: 14th.

America's Greatest College Courses: 9th (2023).

Panelists

Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists

4.1

100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES

Shot Options

6.9213

Character

6.6444

Challenge

6.9976

Layout Variety

6.909

Fun

6.9548

Aesthetics

6.6462

Conditioning

6.819

Reviews

1 / 3

Review

“University Ridge is an excellent public course in the heart of Madison. You can see the practical way it can serve as a teaching ground for the university team with so many different types of holes and shots required. Some very standout holes both in terms of elevation and layout."

2021

2 / 3

Review

“Fun and challenging course, great condition in the rolling hills of Wisconsin. You'll have a great time playing here, home of the University of Wisconsin team, great range and practice facility."

2019

3 / 3

Review

“I was really looking forward to playing this course having heard it was home to the University of Wisconsin men's and women's golf teams and the site for the Champions Tour American Family Insurance event - it did not disappoint! It's one of those courses that when you walk off the 18th green, you're thinking to yourself " I just played a really, really good golf course and would love to play it again". Robert Trent Jones Jr. who designed this course which opened in 1991 must have been smiling when he first saw this property which provided a perfect combination of rolling hills, valleys, and woodlands. While you better bring your "A" driving game to this course, make sure your thinking cap is in working order and not encumbered by having too much fun the night before. I arrived at each tee box with the anticipation of "What's next", and how am I going to handle the next move in this chess game with University Ridge. As you map your strategy for each hole you are constantly distracted by the beautiful scenery which is smiling at you, just waiting to steal any errant shot. One of the few courses I've played where I was impressed with every hole, and how they complimented the landscape. While I am not a Green Bay Packer fan, it's impossible not to be impressed with the number of great golf courses in Wisconsin!"

2018