So, a little drive of only 140 miles straight west through the cornfields of northwestern Illinois is really inconsequential when the urge to play grabs hold.

And so it was when four of us, in the endless search to find new and pleasing golf experiences, journeyed to Deere Run in the Quad Cities area where Illinois, Iowa and the Mississippi River meet. What we came away with on a gorgeous day of blue sky, light breezes and lush fairways was 4-1/2 hours of much joy and a wee bit of disappointment‹typical up and down emotional experiences for all golfers no matter where they are. That's the kind of game it is. One moment exhilirating, the next gut wrenching.

The joy, of course, was in the course which once upon a time was a horse farm of rolling meadows and tall trees. Then Illinois native and golf pro D.A. Weibring and a group of friends got together in the year 2000 and carved out one of the finest golf courses in the midwest. When we really get down to it, our group of supremely hopeful, never-say-die golfers are just average Joe's trying to have fun by dipping our collective toes into a challenging, yet-to-be explored new setting. And that's exactly what we did in this thrilling venue along the gentle waters of the Rock River.

Deere Run is a Tournament Players Club (TPC), which means it is owned and operated by the Profressional Golfers Association (PGA) and designed for the best in the business to play and compete. That, however, does not mean that average Joe's like us can't enjoy ourselves here. Quite the contrary, Deere Run is remarkably friendly to golfers of all talent levels. Another remarkable feature is that it's affordable. Deere Run features five sets of tees which translates into anyone with some skill can play and score here depending on where they set up. Besides the "ladies" red tees, there's white, blue, black and gold, the latter which is commonly referred to by golf crazies as "tips". For weekenders, the whites or golds are just fine measuring 5,990 and 6,426 yards respectively. The white tee course rating is 69.9 with a Slope of 133 and the blue tees 71.9 with a Slope of 137. Those measuring sticks, still, are pretty challenging when compared to the many relatively easy municipal or park district courses in the Chicago suburbs. But then again, would you have it any other way after driving 2-1/2 hours?

Getting down to price, the cost to play this wonderful layout is surprisingly doable. Spring rates which last until May 15 are $55 before 2 p.m. and $45 after. The summer rate from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. $69.99 and $59.99 after 4 p.m.

There are many other things enchanting about Deere Run. First of all, it's well kept. The fairways are pristine and mowed tight. Rough areas aren't too deep allowing for an easy exit strategy out of potentially big trouble. The course features nine mostly gentle doglegs both left and right, the sharpest being hole No. 1 at 359 yards from the blue tees, and the 501 yard, par 5 No. 2.

Deere Run is also a layout of balance where one mutters as he stands on the tee looking ahead, "Yes, I can handle this" rather than, "Oh my gosh. That's not fair." The 386 acres includes some 70 bunkers of varying depths that offer plenty of challenges if you're inclined to get into trouble now and then. Then there are the trees..plenty of them...that beckon and sometimes seem to have the urge to swallow. Around many of the greens, skill in chipping and pitching are necessary to fight off the myriad of downward slopes and and crowned spots to traverse over and around. Failure at hitting the green from 60 yards on out has its penalities.

Of Deer Run's 18 scenic and challenging offerings, the general consensus is that No. 16 is the course's "signature hole". This par 3, 127 yard masterpiece is set on a bluff along the Rock River. A 9 iron for most golfers might get you to the "dance floor" on this 14th handicapped hole. The challenge then becomes the putting on the near perfect fast green.

A word to the golfing wise: Have no fear and don't over analyze your shots. There's forgiveness at Deere Run. Golfers‹even from Chicago's suburbs‹are granted forgiveness here. Not too much, though. A round at this beautiful, affordable layout is certainly worth an early to mid morning drive. By day's end, hopefully the scores will be low and the spirits high. Then it's off to one of the Quad Cities fine nearby eateries or watering holes to talk about all those near misses and what ifs.

The PGA Tour John Deere Classic will be held at Deere Run from July 10-16. That's just after the Western Open in the Chicago area and right before the British Open across the pond.

For further information, call 309-796-6000. Deere Run is located in Silvis, Ill.