Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center - Carbondale, Ill.

One of the two absolute "must plays" on the Southern Illinois Golf Trail is Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center in Carbondale. This excellent 6,863-yard municipal golf course not only offers a solid challenge to power-hitters and shot-makers alike, it is home to an admirable kids' golf program as well as the Southern Illinois University Women's Golf Team.

Hickory Ridge is a solid golf course in anyone's book, and an unquestionably great muni. Jim West, who works in the pro shop, tells of a golfer from Chicago earlier this year who came in to play while visiting his daughter at SUI. "When he heard the green fees were $42 with cart on the weekend, he said we were crazy," West recalls. "He said, 'This is a $100 course in Chicago!'"

Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center - 1

The 420-yard first hole at Hickory Ridge is considered by many to be the best opener in southern Illinois.

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Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center - 2

The green on the 510-yard second hold is typical of the potato-chip greens at Hickory Ridge.

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Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center - 3

A view of the 432-yard third hole at Hickory Ridge.

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Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center - 4

A view of the fourth hole at Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center.

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Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center - 5

A view of the fifth hole at Hickory Ridge in Carbondale.

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Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center - 6

Hickory Ridge's sixth hole is staunch at 534 yards.

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Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center - 7

Players need to stay short of this blind water off the tee on the 406-yard seventh hole at Hickory Ridge.

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Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center - 8

A view of No. 8 at Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center.

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Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center - 9

A view of the ninth hole at Hickory Ridge.

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Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center - 10

A view of No. 10 at Hickory Ridge.

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Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center - 11

A view of the 11th hole at Hickory Ridge.

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Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center - 12

The 432-yard 12th hole at Hickory Ridge is long, and the water to the left of the fairway makes it feel even longer.

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Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center - 13

A view of No. 13 at Hickory Ridge golf course in Carbondale.

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Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center - 14

A view of the 14th hole at Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center in Carbondale.

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Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center - 15

The approach at the rather odd 529-yard 15th hole must hopscotch up the terraced fairway.

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Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center - 15th green

Players need to thread the needle to reach the elevated 15th green on Hickory Ridge's trickiest par 5.

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Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center - 16

A view of No. 16 on Hickory Ridge.

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Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center - 17

A view of the 17th hole on Hickory Ridge.

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Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center - 18

"Mutombo" has blocked more shots on the 365-yard 18th hole at Hickory Ridge than most NBA centers.

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Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center in Carbondale

Thick trees make several holes at Hickory Ridge in Carbondale feel very claustrophobic.

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Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center - bunkers

Many bunkers at Hickory Ridge contain tufts of pampas grass, which can make a few unlucky lies completely unplayable.

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