This is a brand new course on the grounds of the Archabbey. As far as 9 hole courses go, especially those on church grounds, I was quite pleased with the course as a whole. The backdrop of the church was an interesting sight throughout the round. The baskets are top notch! They spared no expense there, getting the top of the line Prodigy baskets. There's some holes that play close to and have water that come into play. The property is very hilly, and they used the terrain appropriately. It was a good hike, even if it was just 9 holes. I've felt that I've walked less on an 18 hole course before.

Being new, it's rough around the edges. The signs are the bare minimum, but from what I've been told, they will be upgraded soon. There are no teepads, and the course hasn't been played enough to have an established area to throw from. I threw from the right side of every sign except hole 4, which forces a throw on the left hand side of the sign, and the lines seemed appropriate for the throws. The course is a little too open for my liking, but there are plans to expand the course to 18 holes in the near future, and I've been told the deacons are looking to capitalize on the extensive woods that they also have on their property. The flow was quirky, there were many long hikes between holes, but I never got lost or had to turn around. It's a pack it in, pack it out course, no trash cans on it at all. I'm a smoker, but I didn't smoke playing the course, treat it like you would any church grounds. All in all, it's in its infancy, and the cons are mainly because of that. As this course grows, I can easily see it getting a 4, or possibly a 4.5

The Archabbey in itself is quite a sight. There's a visitor's center where you can learn all about it. I suggest not parking there like I did today, as hole 1 begins down the way, closer to the student/visitor parking lot. The course ends close to there as well, so I would drive all the way to the back parking lot. The scenic views are what makes this course very good in terms of a 9 hole course, and you will get a hike. Couple this course with the DuBois County Park course like I did today, it's a great 27 holes of disc golf. I can't wait to see this course grow!

UPDATE: I played the full 18. They did not unfortunately incorporate any of the woods on their property. They added a couple cool downhill and uphill shots, but they just renumbered some holes and added more around the front side of the open area. I will update the pictures as the layout has slightly changed on the Front 9. Overall, still a fun course, and the sights are nice for a church based course. The downhill shot on 17 is fantastic! But overall, too open for my liking, and they wasted potentially great holes by not building into the woods. The tee signs are still the basic signs, and I believe teepads won't be installed due to rules on the property.