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California University of PA reviews
4
0
DannyC724
Experience:
12.2 years
11 played
4 reviews
Mixed Feelings (Bear with me) 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 21, 2016
Played the course:once
Pros:
Large amount of land
Not typically crowded
Good hike
Provides tricky shots
Not typically crowded
Good hike
Provides tricky shots
Cons:
Very overgrown
Small fairways
No tee boxes
Small fairways
No tee boxes
Other Thoughts:
The first time I ever played this course was in March of 2012. At that time, the course had been fairly well maintained. The tee boxes were cleared and marked with signs that included maps. I played the course about once a year but never as a serious disc golfer. Now that I have started studying discs and play more regularly, I can safely say that I am ready to review this with what I know.
Also, keep in mind that I am a student at California and work closely with some of the guys who work on the farm. They are not the ones who are responsible for improving this course and though they know the layout well, they are not there to be tour guides. If you ask them about a hole, I know they will point you in the right direction.
I hope you find out some more information about the course and post any updates I find.
Here is a hole by hole analysis of the course. If you played this course more than 6 months ago, chances are that it has changed a little.
Hole 1:
This hole starts near the church on the main road. The tee box sits about 10 feet from the road. This hole provides for a decent sized fairway compared to other holes. It will also give you a taste of what is to come. The area outside of the fairway is high, very overgrown. The hole dips down hill then back uphill. This basket is what used to be the basket for the second hole.
Hole 2:
This hole takes a bit of a walk to get to. Follow the path to the left of the hole 1 basket and walk past the pavilion. There is not a tee box so I would recommend you play starting right at the wooden fence past the pavilion. This hole goes downhill, and the basket lies just past a very small stream in the center of a highly wooded area. Be careful on this one. The bushes are very thick and if you over throw a disc, you will have trouble getting it out. I have misplaced two so far and I still cannot locate the first.
Hole 3:
Follow the path and take a left. This hole requires a little backtracking. There is still a tee box for this hole and it is labeled hole 4. This is a wide open hole uphill. Very simple.
Hole 4:
You will see a path past the basket to hole 3. Follow this to the tee box. Again, this one will be labeled incorrectly saying 5. This is a tough hole. It is not very long but requires a very straight shot. If you hit it just right, you have the potential to ace it or put your disc right under the basket. If you hit it wrong, you could be in for some trouble. Watch your step going down the hill. It can be slippery.
Hole 5:
After hole 4, you will have a distance to go. Follow the path presented, and then wrap around the bend to the left and start hiking up the hill. Follow the tree line on the left and you will find the tee box labeled "Hole 6." The basket for this hole follows the tree line and then sharply cuts in left. It sits in the middle of a circle of trees.
Hole 6:
Get ready. This one is the first of your big uphill climbs. Walk up the hill (can be muddy) and then follow the path until you hit the next tee box sign. From the tee, you will not be able to see the basket. The fairway for this is very narrow. If you can keep it straight, shoot it up the fairway. Once you get to the top of the hill, it will open up and the basket will be right in front of you.
Hole 7:
Look across the field to the tree line. You will be able to see the next tee box. This hole follow down the tree line and shoots to the right through the trees. A lot of players pull up at the end of the fairway and if you hit it just right you will have a straight on shot for the basket.
Hole 8:
This is an easy hole. You will be able to see the basket from the tee box. It is straight up the hill with a decent fairway.
Hole 9:
This can be a tedious hole. If you can hit a shot low and straight you will be in the clear. If you happen to hit it a little left, you will be okay but still have to do a little searching to find your landing. If you hit it too far to the right, well, good luck. I lost a disc on this hole yesterday because I let it sail way too far to the right. Searched for about 30 minutes before giving up on it. It is a purple Boss in case anyone finds it. The basket for this hole is tough to see from the tee box but not impossible. It is underneath the trees at the end of the fairway.
Hole 10:
This will be the last time you have to climb up a hill. From here on out it is all downhill. Once you hit the tee box you will have a VERY narrow fairway. At the end of the fairway, the hill drops and the basket is a little to the right. DO NOT over shoot or throw it off to the right or left. This is a very difficult hole to find a disc on. The weeds are about waist high.
Hole 11:
This hole will follow along the tree line. You really want to hit this one right. If you try and over power it, you have a good chance of letting it glide down the hill.
Hole 12:
This is my most bittersweet hole. I love the challenge of putting it through the trees on one throw. The fairway goes straight down the hill. If you have played this course before, notice that the hole is in a different location. Once through the tree line, the basket shoots off to the right. My best recommendation, if you trust yourself enough, is to go through the tree line on your first throw. This will give you a good chance at making it an easy 3. Beware, the tree line you have to pass through is very thick. Many disc have been hung up in the vines or buried into parts that are unreachable.
Hole 13:
This is a calm hole. Just a little slant uphill. The basket is placed for strategy very close to a large tree. Keep this shot right of the tree and you should be able to put it in the basket in 2.
Hole 14:
LET IT RIP! This hole is one of the longest on the course. It is flat and deep. The basket lies in amongst the trees. Your approach is on a very open field. Once you get close to the basket, it gets a little tougher.
Hole 15:
This one can be tough. You will not be able to see the basket from the tee box. There is little to no fairway here as it is mostly just a dirt path. Once you get to the bottom of the path, the hole opens up and you can easily see the basket. Pushing a disc left is fine, but if you push it right you may never see it again. Beware of that.
Hole 16:
This is a fun one. Definitely more fit for the strategic player. The basket is not very easily seen from the tee box but you may be able to make it out. It would be tough to go directly down the middle on this hole so you should try and go left or right to wrap it around the trees.
Hole 17:
Everyone's favorite hole. Downhill about 300+ in an open field. Let it rip again.
Hole 18:
This was originally the first hole of the course. Now it is the last. You will have a small valley in front of you on this hole with a small stream running through. You should be able to put it pretty close to the basket on one throw.
This course is not perfect for beginners but its not impossible to complete. If not for the overgrowth, this would be the perfect course for anyone. You can enjoy a healthy hike, take in the scenery and play some disc golf. In the future I hope this course gets the TLC it deserves. It is a perfect location for students and people in the area that dont want to travel long distances.
I will be sure to post any updates I hear about.
Also, keep in mind that I am a student at California and work closely with some of the guys who work on the farm. They are not the ones who are responsible for improving this course and though they know the layout well, they are not there to be tour guides. If you ask them about a hole, I know they will point you in the right direction.
I hope you find out some more information about the course and post any updates I find.
Here is a hole by hole analysis of the course. If you played this course more than 6 months ago, chances are that it has changed a little.
Hole 1:
This hole starts near the church on the main road. The tee box sits about 10 feet from the road. This hole provides for a decent sized fairway compared to other holes. It will also give you a taste of what is to come. The area outside of the fairway is high, very overgrown. The hole dips down hill then back uphill. This basket is what used to be the basket for the second hole.
Hole 2:
This hole takes a bit of a walk to get to. Follow the path to the left of the hole 1 basket and walk past the pavilion. There is not a tee box so I would recommend you play starting right at the wooden fence past the pavilion. This hole goes downhill, and the basket lies just past a very small stream in the center of a highly wooded area. Be careful on this one. The bushes are very thick and if you over throw a disc, you will have trouble getting it out. I have misplaced two so far and I still cannot locate the first.
Hole 3:
Follow the path and take a left. This hole requires a little backtracking. There is still a tee box for this hole and it is labeled hole 4. This is a wide open hole uphill. Very simple.
Hole 4:
You will see a path past the basket to hole 3. Follow this to the tee box. Again, this one will be labeled incorrectly saying 5. This is a tough hole. It is not very long but requires a very straight shot. If you hit it just right, you have the potential to ace it or put your disc right under the basket. If you hit it wrong, you could be in for some trouble. Watch your step going down the hill. It can be slippery.
Hole 5:
After hole 4, you will have a distance to go. Follow the path presented, and then wrap around the bend to the left and start hiking up the hill. Follow the tree line on the left and you will find the tee box labeled "Hole 6." The basket for this hole follows the tree line and then sharply cuts in left. It sits in the middle of a circle of trees.
Hole 6:
Get ready. This one is the first of your big uphill climbs. Walk up the hill (can be muddy) and then follow the path until you hit the next tee box sign. From the tee, you will not be able to see the basket. The fairway for this is very narrow. If you can keep it straight, shoot it up the fairway. Once you get to the top of the hill, it will open up and the basket will be right in front of you.
Hole 7:
Look across the field to the tree line. You will be able to see the next tee box. This hole follow down the tree line and shoots to the right through the trees. A lot of players pull up at the end of the fairway and if you hit it just right you will have a straight on shot for the basket.
Hole 8:
This is an easy hole. You will be able to see the basket from the tee box. It is straight up the hill with a decent fairway.
Hole 9:
This can be a tedious hole. If you can hit a shot low and straight you will be in the clear. If you happen to hit it a little left, you will be okay but still have to do a little searching to find your landing. If you hit it too far to the right, well, good luck. I lost a disc on this hole yesterday because I let it sail way too far to the right. Searched for about 30 minutes before giving up on it. It is a purple Boss in case anyone finds it. The basket for this hole is tough to see from the tee box but not impossible. It is underneath the trees at the end of the fairway.
Hole 10:
This will be the last time you have to climb up a hill. From here on out it is all downhill. Once you hit the tee box you will have a VERY narrow fairway. At the end of the fairway, the hill drops and the basket is a little to the right. DO NOT over shoot or throw it off to the right or left. This is a very difficult hole to find a disc on. The weeds are about waist high.
Hole 11:
This hole will follow along the tree line. You really want to hit this one right. If you try and over power it, you have a good chance of letting it glide down the hill.
Hole 12:
This is my most bittersweet hole. I love the challenge of putting it through the trees on one throw. The fairway goes straight down the hill. If you have played this course before, notice that the hole is in a different location. Once through the tree line, the basket shoots off to the right. My best recommendation, if you trust yourself enough, is to go through the tree line on your first throw. This will give you a good chance at making it an easy 3. Beware, the tree line you have to pass through is very thick. Many disc have been hung up in the vines or buried into parts that are unreachable.
Hole 13:
This is a calm hole. Just a little slant uphill. The basket is placed for strategy very close to a large tree. Keep this shot right of the tree and you should be able to put it in the basket in 2.
Hole 14:
LET IT RIP! This hole is one of the longest on the course. It is flat and deep. The basket lies in amongst the trees. Your approach is on a very open field. Once you get close to the basket, it gets a little tougher.
Hole 15:
This one can be tough. You will not be able to see the basket from the tee box. There is little to no fairway here as it is mostly just a dirt path. Once you get to the bottom of the path, the hole opens up and you can easily see the basket. Pushing a disc left is fine, but if you push it right you may never see it again. Beware of that.
Hole 16:
This is a fun one. Definitely more fit for the strategic player. The basket is not very easily seen from the tee box but you may be able to make it out. It would be tough to go directly down the middle on this hole so you should try and go left or right to wrap it around the trees.
Hole 17:
Everyone's favorite hole. Downhill about 300+ in an open field. Let it rip again.
Hole 18:
This was originally the first hole of the course. Now it is the last. You will have a small valley in front of you on this hole with a small stream running through. You should be able to put it pretty close to the basket on one throw.
This course is not perfect for beginners but its not impossible to complete. If not for the overgrowth, this would be the perfect course for anyone. You can enjoy a healthy hike, take in the scenery and play some disc golf. In the future I hope this course gets the TLC it deserves. It is a perfect location for students and people in the area that dont want to travel long distances.
I will be sure to post any updates I hear about.
4
0
jhilton
Experience:
12.8 years
61 played
17 reviews
Harvard on the Mon 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Jan 19, 2013
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
- Players of all skill levels can play
- Nice workout climbing the hill
- Pretty view from the top of the farm
- Nice new baskets
- 18 Holes
- Nice workout climbing the hill
- Pretty view from the top of the farm
- Nice new baskets
- 18 Holes
Cons:
- Very uneven tee spots, some dangerously so
- Many holes have the same feel, making the course seem bland at times
- Mostly wide open shots
- Tends to favor RHBH
- Updated 12/30/16: This course seems to have largely been left to go wild. The overgrowth is super thick and thorny and many of the shots have tightened up with painful consequences. Some tee signs are missing and the paths thru the early 4 holes are unclear as the new buildings caused some changes. All in all it really downgraded the experience.
- Many holes have the same feel, making the course seem bland at times
- Mostly wide open shots
- Tends to favor RHBH
- Updated 12/30/16: This course seems to have largely been left to go wild. The overgrowth is super thick and thorny and many of the shots have tightened up with painful consequences. Some tee signs are missing and the paths thru the early 4 holes are unclear as the new buildings caused some changes. All in all it really downgraded the experience.
Other Thoughts:
Hole 1 - Wide open side/up hill shot, pretty farm buildings
Hole 2 - Nice longer Par 3, wide open
Hole 3 - Interesting RHBH Hyzer into a cutout around a pretty stream, wide open
Hole 4 - Terrible short uphill hole, wide open but you throw over bushes
Hole 5 - Nice little short straight ace run into a pocket across the pretty stream. Nice old cast iron bathtub next to the bridge
Hole 6 - Ugly little side/uphill toss, wide open till the end. Clearing out some of the thorny scrub brush but leaving the trees near the basket would help this hole.
Hole 7 - Ugly side/uphill toss, wide open shot. The wind comes off the top of the mountain here so disc get pushed way left on RHBH.
Hole 8 - Nice little sharp right turn around a mando tree. This is one of the more memorable holes.
Hole 9 - Wide open, medium length uphill and the beginning of a bland stretch where you throw the same disc over and over again.
Hole 10 - Wide open, side/up hill, nice tree by the basket, use the same disc from the last hole
Hole 11 - Wide open off the top of the hill, pretty view, same disc as before
Hole 12 - Still using the same disc, medium length nice gradual right turn. Painful bushes block the right side of the fairway.
Hole 13 - Downhill, should be a different disc but the throw down let's you continue to keep throwing the same one you have been using for awhile. Open till the end where you fit it through some trees.
Hole 14 - Last of the "same disc" holes. Wide open with a nice old tree by the basket, power down that disc you have been throwing for awhile now.
Hole 15 - Finally a chance to really air out a disc. Wide open, let your big disc rip. Nice old trees guard the basket.
Hole 16 - A very nice hole. Nice little RHBH anhyzer or RHFH shot down a tunnel-ish opening to a basket tucked right.
Hole 17 - Two paths at this basket, could be a touch longer, but nice to throw and stay in the woods.
Hole 18 - This should be an awesome hole where you get to just hammer a big disc down hill but the basket is totally in the wrong spot which stops you from being able to really rip into it. The basket ought to be much further down the hill on the right (closer to the little fenced in area), making it an 800 foot or so Par 4 instead. Missed opportunity in course design.
Hole 2 - Nice longer Par 3, wide open
Hole 3 - Interesting RHBH Hyzer into a cutout around a pretty stream, wide open
Hole 4 - Terrible short uphill hole, wide open but you throw over bushes
Hole 5 - Nice little short straight ace run into a pocket across the pretty stream. Nice old cast iron bathtub next to the bridge
Hole 6 - Ugly little side/uphill toss, wide open till the end. Clearing out some of the thorny scrub brush but leaving the trees near the basket would help this hole.
Hole 7 - Ugly side/uphill toss, wide open shot. The wind comes off the top of the mountain here so disc get pushed way left on RHBH.
Hole 8 - Nice little sharp right turn around a mando tree. This is one of the more memorable holes.
Hole 9 - Wide open, medium length uphill and the beginning of a bland stretch where you throw the same disc over and over again.
Hole 10 - Wide open, side/up hill, nice tree by the basket, use the same disc from the last hole
Hole 11 - Wide open off the top of the hill, pretty view, same disc as before
Hole 12 - Still using the same disc, medium length nice gradual right turn. Painful bushes block the right side of the fairway.
Hole 13 - Downhill, should be a different disc but the throw down let's you continue to keep throwing the same one you have been using for awhile. Open till the end where you fit it through some trees.
Hole 14 - Last of the "same disc" holes. Wide open with a nice old tree by the basket, power down that disc you have been throwing for awhile now.
Hole 15 - Finally a chance to really air out a disc. Wide open, let your big disc rip. Nice old trees guard the basket.
Hole 16 - A very nice hole. Nice little RHBH anhyzer or RHFH shot down a tunnel-ish opening to a basket tucked right.
Hole 17 - Two paths at this basket, could be a touch longer, but nice to throw and stay in the woods.
Hole 18 - This should be an awesome hole where you get to just hammer a big disc down hill but the basket is totally in the wrong spot which stops you from being able to really rip into it. The basket ought to be much further down the hill on the right (closer to the little fenced in area), making it an 800 foot or so Par 4 instead. Missed opportunity in course design.
