Pros:
Located in south central British Columbia in Canada, Kamloops is positioned at the intersection of the two branches of the Thompson River near Kamloops Lake. Designed by John Houck, Rose Hill - East, or the Black Rose Course as it is known by locals, is the longer of the two courses. This course is much more punishing, as it demands mostly power and endurance but precision is important as well throughout due to the elevation, length, and natural obstacles. Like Roes Hill - West, views from high on top the mountain are amazing! With four par 4's, par for the course is 58 with holes ranging anywhere from 165-792 ft., but average closer to 400+ ft. Many of the holes on the course are not reachable from the tee, often requiring line shaping and placement to have a clear shot at the pin.
Favorite Hole(s): Hole #3 - The epic 792 downhill shot with views of the entire valley below. It is one of the more enjoyable holes I have played to date and really allows players with big arms to bomb it out there with something stable and watch it fade back in at end. Truly and amazing hole!
Cons:
Because the courses in Kamloops were installed high above the city, they are exposed to the rugged elements. During the summer it gets extremely hot and being that the course is dry it makes for a long round. You can find shade throughout but it comes in clusters leaving you exposed more than most would like. During the winter it's the polar opposite, snowing quite heavily and preventing most from playing for several weeks if not months due to the heavy snowfall. When you are fortunate enough to play, the wind usually comes in to play. Winds from high on top are quite fierce at times requiring the use of stable discs, especially when throwing over cliffs and ravines.
Navigation is VERY confusing for first timers as well. Most holes have three sets of tee pads with wooden posts nearby some of them to help with location and distance but it is harder to locate the worn paths that take players from each pin toward the next tee due to the high brush. Playing without a local to help guide and spot will make the course frustrating and near impossible to play. However, once played the course becomes much easier assuming you play it frequently enough.
Other Thoughts:
Over the years I have had the privilege of visiting beautiful British Columbia on several occasions, totaling 20+ courses played in the great white north, adding to the nearly 200 courses played in 12 states, 3 countries, and counting... In doing so, I can honestly say that both Kamloops and Logan Lake are some of the most challenging and scenic courses I have played to date in Canada.
I came up from Seattle, WA for the 2013 Canadian Disc Golf Championships with two of my best friends who, although unfamiliar with the tournament scene, were up for an adventure! From the time we arrived until the time we left we were treated as if we were a local, with friendly conversations, tough competition, and great food/accommodations.
The tournament itself, run by Carrie Neal and the KDGC, was both professional and well organized. Because the tournament has been so well run in the past the TD's were able to get tons of community support through sponsorship. They had great player packs/payouts, and included an impressive list of world class players who attended from all over the world. It is unbelievable to see how much work went into this tournament, and for a DG club that is so small like the KDGC, how well they work together to gets things done for this big event. I am truly grateful for the hospitality and professionalism by all and want to give a special shot out to my buddy Bailey Teteris for going out of his way to be the perfect guide, Robbio for playing three memorable rounds together, and Whatshisname from Alberta for being so kind and genuine. It was much appreciated and will never be forgotten!