Grid: quarter-hour; meta: 15 extra 

Patrick Berry’s Wall Street Journal contest crossword, “Back Nine” — Conrad’s writeup.

This week we’re in search of a time period associated to golf. There have been 4 lengthy theme entries. I appeared for backwards entries (primarily based on the title) and shortly discovered them. Each themer contained backwards phrases, 9 in whole:

• [17a: Perfect for the purpose]: MADETOORDER -> RED ROOT EDAM
• [34a: Countertop materials]: LAMINATES -> SET ANIMAL
• [39a: Shipboard vermin, or what pirates call their enemies]: BILGERATS -> STARE GLIB
• [57a: FedEx vehicle]: DELIVERYVAN -> NAVY REVILED

WSJ Contest – 09.30.22 – resolution

Each backwards phrase began a clue. Here are the matching grid entries, in throughout then down order:

• [15a: Edam, for one]: CHEESE 
• [38a: Set (down)]: LAID
• [44a: Navy Vessel letters]: USS
• [1d: Animal on California’s flag]: BEAR
• [3d: Reviled]: HATED
• [33d: Stare rudely at]: OGLE
• [44d: Glib-tongued]: URBANE
• [49d: Root location] SCALP
• [52d: Red muppet]: ELMO

The mapped grid entries spell CLUBHOUSE, our contest resolution. Great puzzle, and a basic Patrick Berry meta: nicely constructed, with trademark precision. I’m impressed that the theme entries didn’t really feel pressured (forwards or backwards). Solvers: please let me know what you assume.