Pros:
Around the edges of an open park, Ray Miller has nine holes that stay challenging enough to be worth your while in Leavenworth. Eight of the nine tee from concrete, and the bright yellow DisCatchers are all in good shape. While not an "open" course, it will require some power out of your drives.
Elevation on holes 3 and 4 brings their challenge up much higher. The drop-off behind the green of 4 is one of the scariest things I've seen on a city park 9-hole. Holes 8 and 9 also have some quick jumps on their way to the green, 8's is up and 9's is down.
Difficult trees on several holes, 1 has some massive guardian to either go around or thread the needle through, 6 is sparser, but the placement is quite difficult on them. 7 has a ceiling to get under and 8, well…
Hole 8 is one of the best holes I've seen on a 9-hole course. A forgivingly wide hallway, there's a downed tree about 325ft down to block rollers, then the land jumps uphill and doglegs right and the pin is another 80-90ft around the trees guarding that corner. It's one of the best par 4's I've played in a long while… except it's listed as a par 5. :eyeroll:
Cons:
Wayfinding is a challenge. There's a map posted by Hole 1; take a picture of it. Even with the orange app it was a challenge and I found myself referencing the picture of the map on there multiple times. As said before, there are small green numbers painted on the sidewalks for holes 1-7. Hole 8 has a concrete pad, but based on the orientation I don't think that was its original purpose, and 9 tees from dirt, but it has a sign! The sign says… "9"
None of the greens hold much challenge. Once you're there, you're there. 3 is on a mild slope and 4 has that huge drop behind it… but beside that it's flat, open greens.
Crossing the massive entry road to the VA hospital isn't that fun, and you have to do it twice.
Hole 6 plays straight down the sidewalk, so hopefully the park isn't too busy.
I hope it's temporary, but there are two small dumpsters in the line on hole 7. Not sure what the "Voluntary Service" building is, but hopefully they can find a better place for their dumpsters.
Other Thoughts:
This course doesn't have a "downer" hole. That and the distances required are what net the 2.5 from me. Holes 2 and 5 are probably the lowest quality, but 2's pin is deceptively further than the tree makes it seem, and 5 is going to need a strong finish either way you decide to throw it.
Could it be better? Sure. Could it be worse? Absolutely. This course is 100% worth adding onto a round at the college, even if just to play hole 8.