The University (West) course at Cypress Tree Golf Club sits on Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, serving military personnel, their families, and authorized guests. Designed by Joe Finger with Nathan Crace, the course reflects the straightforward, strategic approach common to military golf facilities built during the mid-to-late twentieth century. Finger, a Texas-based architect who worked extensively throughout the South and Southwest, created numerous courses for military installations and municipal clients, typically emphasizing playability across skill levels while incorporating the natural terrain. The layout occupies relatively flat terrain characteristic of the Alabama River valley region, with mature trees—including the cypresses that give the club its name—defining corridors and framing holes. Water features and bunkers provide strategic interest without overwhelming recreational players. As a military course, University (West) balances challenge for accomplished golfers with accessibility for those learning the game or playing casually, a hallmark of Finger's practical design philosophy. Maxwell Air Force Base has a long aviation and military education history, and the golf facilities support the base's community and morale mission. The course operates within the military golf system, offering affordable rates and a welcoming atmosphere distinct from private civilian clubs. Conditions and maintenance reflect typical military course standards, with the layout providing a solid test of golf in a relaxed, unpretentious setting.