The Oaks, a new course near Cottage Grove on the way to Madison, and Washington County Golf Course are worth the drives.

You might have noticed The Oaks growing from a farmer's field into a golf course over the last three years. It opened June 30 and shows the signs of its immaturity. Some of the greens are just growing in. There are a few other rough spots.

But, the layout, designed by architect Greg Martin, is a beauty. The Oaks isn't particularly long, but it requires the golfer to avoid native fescue grasses, strategically placed bunkers that are very deep and just enough oaks trees to make it interesting.

Two par 3s, the 157 yard No. 2 and 171 yard No. 5, are great holes. No. 2 is carved out of an oak forest and has a sloping green. No. 5 has a multi-tiered green.

The finishing hole on the front nine, a 518-yard par 5, requires the golfer to avoid the woods and a deep bunker. Once to the green, you'll find a multi-tiered green.

You also will find the finishing hole on the back nine a challenge. Unless you're a long hitter, you won't get there in two. Your third shot has get up to an elevated green that is rather narrow.

This writer and a partner played The Oaks on a windy day. Many of the holes are open enough that wind is a definite factor. This duffer managed an 86 on the course.

WCGC has received rave reviews since it opened in 1997. Golf Digest rated it as the second best municipal course in the nation. It deserves the praise for its excellent grooming, well-placed hazards and overall layout.

The course has a links feel to it, yet there are plenty of hazards out there. Three things stand out. First is the number and placement of sand traps, all of which were well groomed.

Second are the impeccably kept greens and their speed. You had to develop some finesse in your putting stroke to avoid sending the ball well past the hole. No. 9 has an especially difficult green with a severe swale in the middle of it.

Third is the overall condition of the course. After you play WCGC, you can't help but wonder if — considering public sector budgets these days -- you'll see another county or municipal course of this quality built for a long time. This writer struggled to a 90 on the course.

You can reach The Oaks in about an hour from Milwaukee. WCGC is outside Hartford and lists 50 minutes as its driving time on its web site. Both courses are worth the drive.

As of Tuesday night, when this column was written, the Brewers had not pulled off any major trades. They have until Thursday night to do so. After that, players must clear waivers before they can be dealt. Here are a couple suggestions:

• Reliever Mike De Jean to a contender for a young outfield prospect or young pitcher. De Jean has struggled as a closer, but might draw some interest as a setup man.

• Second baseman Eric Young for young pitching. Let Keith Ginter and Bill Hall share second base the rest of the season.

• Package shortstop Royce Clayton with De Jean or Young to go after a more experienced pitcher. Let Hall play short until September and then give J.J. Hardy a look. Ginter could hold down second with Enrique Cruz as a backup.

It's not time to trade Richie Sexson or Geoff Jenkins, even though they would bring you the most in return. If it looks like they might leave after next season, when their contracts are about to expire, deal them next summer. But, both are young enough to provide a corps around which to rebuild with the young kids currently at Huntsville (AA).

Former Bucks assistant Terry Stotts and Marc Iavaroni are being mentioned most often as the Bucks new head coach, but this writer would like to see Sidney Moncrief or Terry Porter get the job. Both were winners as players ... Two-time state open champ Jim Schuman has been named the UW golf coach, replacing the retired Dennis Tiziani ... Viktor Rapinski of Belarus won the International Cycling Classis overall title. Danny In't Ven of Belgium won the final race at Whitefish Bay Sunday. Jackson Stewart won the Downer Avenue race on Saturday ... Luke McKenzie of Australia won the first Dairyland Half-Ironman Triathlon at Racine. Lisa Bentley of Canada won the women's competition ... Steve Schowalter, Kon Knueppel, Joe Schultz and Kurt Woelffer, playing for Pichler Painting, won the Top Gun division of the Hoop-It-Up 3-on-3 tournament and will now advance to regional competition in Springfield, Mass. The Pichler team won the national championship last year and fell one win short of a world title.

The WIAA summer baseball tournament semifinals and championship game were scheduled for Thursday in Stevens Point ... The state American Legion baseball tournament is being held in Viroqua (A), Kaukauna (AA) and Stevens Point (AAA) ... Mario Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi and actor Paul Newman are appearing this weekend at Road America in Elkhart Lake ... Former UW and NFL quarterback Bud Keyes is a candidate for the head coaching job of the La Crosse Night Train indoor football team.

The Brewers are still on the road this weekend, but return to Miller Park next week for games against the Braves on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The Braves are always a draw in their former hometown.

Wave United hosts Minnesota at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Indiana at 6 p.m. Sunday. Both games are at Uihlein Field.

If you want to drive Beyond Milwaukee for an event, check out the section of this column by that name. The Gus Macker outdoor basketball tourney also is in Sheboygan this weekend.

Or you can go to Green Bay to watch the Packers' training camp. Remember the Packers open their exhibition season Monday night against Kansas City in the Hall of Fame game at Canton, Ohio.