Stillwaters-Highlands Course, Dadeville, Ala.

For a championship course with only one real water hazard, the Highlands Golf Course at Stillwaters presents more than enough challenges.

It's called Highlands for a reason. There's undulation, and lots of it. If you're looking for a flat fairway, look elsewhere. There is nothing flat about this place. Balls roll down. Balls roll up. Sometimes balls roll from side to side. Sometimes they roll over a hill, never to be seen again. Elevated tee boxes make this course picturesque, but second shots taken from the fairway can be very difficult because you're seemingly always on an uphill or downhill slope.

This is a golf course that can be very fun for the accomplished player looking for a challenge and frustrating to the novice who doesn't really need help losing confidence. In 1997, it was named among Golf Digest's best new courses, and it continues to live up to those accolades.

The par 72 Highlands, which plays at 6,906 yards from the tips, is remote with most fairways heavily lined with trees. There are a few gulleys or would-be creeks that snake through the underbrush, but they rarely come into play. The 13th hole, a par 5, offers the only real water hazard, but the pond is mostly off to the left and doesn't require a forced carry onto the green. Wild turkeys were seen on the fairway. Not sure if that makes it a birdie hole.

Despite its challenges, Highlands is a very woodsy, beautiful golf course and one that I'd recommend to anyone willing to score in the triple digits. It's tight, the greens are relatively large with undulation, the elevation changes provide excellent scenery, and some holes offer the challenge of precise shot-making and placement.

The severe elevation changes can hurt and help. There are times when hills on either side of the fairway slope down toward the center of the fairway, creating a funnel effect. An errant drive can bounce off a slope and roll back to the center of the fairway. And there are times when your shot can roll downhill into a gully.

The front nine plays a bit easier than the back, but not much. Notable holes on the front include the 189-yard (from the tips) par 3 eighth, which offers a forced carry over a large wasteland of underbrush to the center and left, and thick trees to the right, and No. 9, which may be the most demanding hole on the course. The ninth, a 539-yard par 5, makes the player hit a long tee shot to have any chance at success. Three long and accurate shots are required for par, or bogey.

One of the most picturesque holes is the par 4 10th, see above, as its tee box towers over the fairway. Good luck with this one. An accurate tee shot will put you in good shape. Don't be deceived by the hole marker in the photo. The blue blob in the middle of the sign isn't water. It's just the fairway.

The most treacherous hole on the course is the 423-yard, par 4 15th. It may not be long, but it will bite you. A marshy area occupies the left side, while trees guard nice homes to the right. What's left in the middle is a thin fairway sloped sharply downhill from right to left. Balls hit to the center can manage to roll into the left underbrush. Wet grass can cushion the speed of their roll.

A very challenging finishing hole awaits at No. 18, a 405-yard par 4. Again, it's not long, but it's got other issues. Canyons. Two of them. The first is a massive thicket you don't want to enter. A 200-yard tee shot is required to clear this first mess. Anything short, and it's mulligan time. Once you've cleared the first canyon, you hope to find your ball at the top of a hill. There, you see canyon No. 2. This one is as deep and steep as the first except it's full of well-kept grass. The preferred second shot will land on the green. The most likely scenario has the player walking into this trench to hit his or her ball up a steep slope and onto the green.

Stillwaters is a resort community located on the banks of Lake Martin, just 10 miles south of Dadeville in the heart of Tallapoosa County. Only a few homes can be seen from the course, but the Stillwaters area offers a number of vacation rentals, mostly on the lake, but a few villas can be rented near the course.

Formerly known as the Traditions Course, the Highlands is the newest of two Stillwaters courses. The sad thing is, the old course, Legacy, has not been open to the public for about four years. Word around the clubhouse was that both courses could be sold. A ranger said the asking price was in the neighborhood of $15.5 million. I didn't have $15.5 million in my pocket, so I purchased a $45 weekend greens fee instead. Greens fees on most weekdays go for $35 plus tax.

For more information about Stillwaters, visit its Web site at http://www.stillwatersgolf.com/

Rating (1 to 10)

Fun: This course is more enjoyable for the experienced player, but those less experienced looking for a challenge and don't mind being eaten alive are sure to have a good time. It's set in a remote, relaxing environment. Score -- 7

Value: At $45 on weekends, this borders on pricy. Not a bad deal because you're playing in a great location on a fine course. Score -- 7
Amenities: Clubhouse is relatively large and new with a large pro shop and restaurant that can be used for banquets. A driving range is on the premesis too. Carts are provided and in good shape. Parking lot is nice. Saw one bathroom on the back nine, which is better than most. If you really have to go, there are plenty of woods. Did not see a beverage cart. Score -- 7

Conditions: Overall, quite nice. Fairways were in very good shape. Rough was rough, but it's supposed to be, otherwise it wouldn't be called the rough. Course a bit bumpy, but the earth apparently was made that way here. Some greens could have been in better shape as a few had dead spots, which effect the ball's roll. Score -- 7

Difficulty: If your proficient at hitting the ball on a slope all day, then maybe it's not difficult. Otherwise ... Fairways are tight. Greens are undulating, but fair. A handful of hazards and variety of challenges. Great use of hazards without using water. Score -- 9

Overall: I'd like to see Tiger Woods tackle this place. There's a strong variety of challenges and the scenery is beautiful. Very remote location, which can be relaxing. I highly recommend Highlands. Score -- 7.4