Sweet serenity at AU Club

Two things come to mind when I think of the Auburn University Club: serenity and difficulty. The private golf club, located in northwest Auburn at Yarbrough Farms, puts the player in a beautiful, rural setting far away from the hustle and bustle of town. It's quiet, peaceful and satisfying to the soul for anyone looking to truly get away for 18 holes.

But don't let nature's beauty lull your game to sleep. This course is a beast and challenges the player's accuracy, muscle and strategy. The par 72 course plays 7,326 yards from the tips -- or 6,016 yards from the novice level's white tees. I prefer the white tees.

I had the opportunity to play the course Friday morning and the place treated me to the style of golf I crave: most holes are set by themselves. In other words, you can't see other holes from the fairway you're playing except maybe a couple on the back nine. I don't hear traffic. I don't hear many golf carts. I hear the wind through the trees and the harrowing thud my 4-iron makes when it hits the ground instead of hitting the ball squarely.

The course remained in pristine shape. Actually, the shape of this course ranks among the best I've ever played. Moore's Mill ranks up there. So do Slammer & Squire and King & Bear in St. Augustine, Fla. I played Legacy Links in Bradenton, Fla., last month -- an esteemed Troon Golf location designed by Arnold Palmer -- and its fairways paled in comparison to the AU Club. Greens were perfect ... and green. Fairways were plush, like they are supposed to be. Didn't see a flaw. The sand traps must have been in good shape. Fortunately, I didn't have to find out.

One word that comes to mind when describing the course's characteristics, other than hard, is undulated. Be prepared for a few ups and downs. It's probably the most undulated course in the area, other than Dadeville's Stillwaters course. The greens here are very well kept and large. I'd stick my shot from 150 yards out on to the green and feel good about myself. Then I'd approach the green and realize my ball was still 50 feet from the hole. It's hard to two-putt from a mile away.

Several holes stand out and pique my interest. My favorite on the front nine remains the par 3 No. 8 hole, which forces a 160-yard carry over water from the white tees. Hit left and you're wet. Hit short and you're wet. Hit right and you're probably in the trees. Best bet is to hit straight, preferably 160 yards.

The 10th hole, a par 4, 315-yarder from the white tees, slaps you in the face with a steep uphill slope with a dogleg to the left. It plays much further than 315 yards. Rolling hills continue on the 11th and 12th. I'm proud to say I birdied the par 5, 462-yard 12th.

Below is the approach view to the 11th hole green. This hole is particularly picturesque in the fall when the leaves are changing.

The most challenging hole in my book is the par 5, 500-yard (584 yards from the He-Man tees) 16th hole. Hitting to the green is very tricky because you've generally got a downhill lie and you must carry a wide stream and then 50 more yards of rough, just to hit the green. Monster tee shots are a must. Big hitters could reach the green in two strokes, but you are often forced with the decision to either lay up or go for the gusto. That stream really puts strategy into the mix.

I finished my round with an illegitimate 91. None of my scores are legit unless I'm in some sort of competition, but then they tend to be higher. Every now and then, I do take a mulligan. I'd guess between six and eight of them per round. I'm proud to have scored an illegitimate 41 on the back nine. It was mostly legit, so that's good.

I once said Auburn University Club was the most difficult course I'd ever played. I come down off that statement now and put it in the top five. Legacy Links and all of its sand/water kicked my tail a bit worse. The Ridge Course at Oxmoor Valley may be harder, and similar.

This is a private club, so it's not like the general public can walk out there and play 18 holes unless they play with a member guest. Like other private clubs in the area, Saugahatchee and Moore's Mill, the AU Club is always seeking new members. Folks interested in playing or joining the AU Club should visit the Web site at www.aucyf.com. I hope to play solo, not best-ball tournament, rounds at Saugahatchee and Moore's Mill in the future.