WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL Features Editor: Chris Juzwik, 252-6180

1D Wednesday, August 5,1998 RECREATION F I T N E GOLFER'S SCORECARD: X-ERCISE FILES: Forest Hills Golf Course Just add water, a tow rope and your Ben O'Neill By Rob Hernandez imagination for an idea of how Stephanie Wisconsin State Journal Morey plans to start prone on her kneeboard, LA CROSSE — While members of La Crosse Country Club enjoy their wonderful, then pull herself onto her knees as the new links-style course Arthur Hills designed in nearby Onalaska, the general public gets accelerates. Once she's strapped in and on the to enjoy the layout that had served the club since 1901. After answering to The Bluffs lake, Morey, below, is ready to experiment by Country Club for three years, the public fa- cility this year became Forest Hills Golf shifting her weight, which makes the board .Course. The name has changed, but the lay- out is as solid as ever. veer quickly to the side. The front nine is reminiscent of the back nine at The Springs in Spring Green the way it hugs out-of-bounds on every hole. The back nine is short (2,862 yards), but keeps golfers' attention with small, target greens. The fairway grass was thin in spots for a course that was once home to a country club. As a whole, however, the layout is one of the better public courses western Wiscon- sin has to offer.

Grading the course Ben O'Neill entered the final round of in the boys' age 15-to-18 Strongest holes: Front nine — Nos. 5 springboard competition in third and 6 (329 and 291 yards, respectively). place at last week's All City Dive Back-to-back par-4s that originate on ele- vated tees. No. 5 narrows near the green; Meet. He finished strong and won the green on 6 is guarded by a pond left. the competition. Back nine — No. 13 (347 yards). The second-longest par-4 on the back, it plays Age: 15. like the longest because it runs uphill to an City: Madison. elevated green you don't want to miss short. Occupation: Student, Madison Weakest holes: Front nine — No. 4 (100 '••."' Memorial High. yards, par 3). If you don't \yalk away with a Ifc . V IJ Family: Parents, Joan Lerman par, keep walking. Back nine — Nos. 17 and and Ken O'Neill, brother, Aaron 18 (310 and 315 yards). Unless one of the O'Neill, 18. three trains that rolled through the course Sports: Diving for Ridgewood; during our round comes roaring along the gymnastics for Madtown Twisters. tracks 15 yards left of the fairway, there is Competitions: All City Dive little distraction for golfers finishing their Meet, July 27 and 28. rounds. Training: I have to dive from, Fun holes: Front nine — No. 7 (188 like 8:30 to 9:30.1 dove, and then yards, par 3). An unforgettable par-3 that I'd go to sum- runs from an elevated tee to a green with mer school even more elevation. I still couldn't see the from 10 until surface of the green when I missed it short, 12; then I but managed to get up-and-down for my went to the par. Back nine — No. 16 (143 yards). A less gym from 12 stressful par-3 than the monster on the until 3, every front, this hole demands a delicate short day except for iron from an elevated tee to a sloping green Friday. All of below. our dual (team Local knowledge: A can of Off was as diving) meets critical this day as a straight driver, espe- are on Friday. cially on the front nine, where the holes Proudest were nestled along the woods.... The tee O'Neill accomplish- shot off No. 1 and the approach shot into ment: My first No. 9 green cross the train tracks A tav- year of diving was my best year of ern is strategically located across the street diving. I was 8,1 think. In my first from No. 16 green for those who can't wait year I won all-city; it was just out until thejlgthjigle..... The back nine is set ,. of nowhere for me. It was just, at the foot of the picturesque Grandad like, the funnestyear. Bluff. Most challenging part: Proba- bly having to be consistent week in, week out. Since the beginning Course vitals of this year, I've done pretty much Address: 600 Losey Blvd. N., La Crosse, the same dive. In gymnastics, it's Wis. 54601. Located at the junction of Highway such a huge sport; there's so many 16, Losey Boulevard and La Crosse Street east good kids. It's really competitive. of the UW-La Crosse campus. Reason you picked these Year opened: 1901. sports: Gymnastics went great. I Professional: John Rozanas. started when I was 2 at my pre- Phone: (608) 779-GOLF (4653). school. I started team when I was Yardage: Blue tees — 6,061 yards. White 8, and I've been on (the Madtown tees — 5,811 yards. Red tees — 5,375 yards. Twisters) team since then. Diving Par: 71 (18 holes). is a way to relax, to have fun. What do you appreciate about diving competitions? A lot of Greens fees times you lose your reason to Weekdays: $11 for nine holes;-$20 for 18. practice; you're just practicing Weekends: $12 for nine; $22 for 18. (Resident just because. Getting judged, you rates available.) get to see how you're doing and Amenities: Practice green, driving range, where you're at, and you can fig- pro shop, motor carts, restaurant, ure out where you want to be at pool. How does gymnastics differ? Softspikes policy: Required. There's so much practicing in gymnastics. You have six events in gymnastics; it's so much harder than diving. That's where my mo- tivation for diving conies from; how easily it came to me. I shouldn't be throwing something WHAT'S NEW: away that comes that easily. Plans: I'd like to do gymnastics in college. I've been putting so UV swimwear much time into it that I'd like to get something out of it. I don't UV protective think I'll dive in college. swimwear is Call Matt Mullins at 252-6182 if available for you, or someone you know, would anyone who State Journal photos/SARAH B. TEWS make a good X-ercise Files profile. spends a lot of time at the pool By Stephanie Morey more variety, more room to express creative and or beach. Wisconsin State Journal break-neck tendencies — X-treme hysteria has swept Among the the far-reaching environs of water sports. Spins of companies 360 degrees, front-to-back twists and high-flying aeri- making the parkling, fanlike sprays. als are now tricks of even the family trade. HELP WANTED suits for chil- Green algae face-plants. " is a great way to introduce kids to dren and adults S Velocity-crazed tube rides, sweet sunburns waveboarding," said Craig Richardson of Rich's Madison School-Community is Stingray Bay, and stinging wipeouts. Water Sports Marine, 411 N. Fair Oaks Ave. "A Recreation is collecting used soc- Scottsdale, This is the stuff blissful summer afternoons are slower boat speed and added buoyancy lends more cer balls, shoes and shin guards to Ariz. Children's made of, as countless speedboats criss-cross Madi- control to the rider." be distributed to poor youth. suits are $32 to son lakes with water skiers and tube riders in tow. Kneeboarding is akin to or boogey- If you have equipment to drop $40 for up to At least, that's what it looks like from land. boarding. Shaped like a shorter, fatter surfboard, the off, bring it to MSCR, 3802 Regent size 14 and adult suits are about $60. The Despite the allure and opportunity, lake recrea- kneeboard is only 3 feet long and sports a padded St., between 7:45 a.m. and 5 p.m. fabric blocks most of the sun's harmful rays tion has remained, for me, a spectator sport. But this "seat" and a pointed nose. Instead of mounting the Aug. 17 to 21. Donations also will wet or dry, according to .the company. The summer I finally joined the ranks of those delighting board in a surfer's striding stance, riders soar over be accepted at two UW men's soc- suits are designed to reach just above the in the splendor of the splash. With kneeboard under waves on their knees. cer games at 7 p.m. Aug. 26 and 2 knee and down to the forearm for extra sun my arm, I plunged into the wave-surfing craze. Madison lakes lack the power and thrust of the p.m. Aug. 28 (each donation earns protection that you don't get with regular . Apparently, tagging behind racing speedboats California curl, so local waveboarders latch onto the one free admittance). swimsuits. For information, call (800) through frothing waves has become too mundane for Pick-up times for youth or their 969-4786 or check the Web site — wiow.stin- adrenalin-hungry water skiers. More movement, Please see SPLASH, Page 4D coaches will be Aug. 24 to 28 at graybay.com. MSCR. Call 266-6255 for informa- — Ryan Pagelow tion.

COMING ON TV HEY, RONALD!

THURSDAY Reba, Clint, Wynonna, Brooks, Q.When was Ronald McDonald introduced? A. The hamburger-loving clown first Dunn and other country music appeared in local ads produced in 1963 by Washington, D.C., McDonald's fran- Rhythm profiles Callen stars who have instant one-name chise owners John Gibson and Oscar Goldstein, according to "Forbes Greatest Harty, a Madison playwright recognizability hit the stage on Business Stories of All Time." This first Ronald was future "Today" show weath- who continues to do things "Country Fest 98" at 8 p.m. on erman Willard Scott, who was used only in those local ads. Ronald made his na- his way. WISC (Ch. 3). tional debut at the 1966 Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.