Pros:
Very strategic; long throwers can throw beyond trouble but take a risk of losing a disc on an errant shot. Shorter throwers will find second shots just as challenging as the tee shots. As yet the course isn't too crowded so there are no delays in play.
Cons:
Always a danger of losing a disc here so having spotters is recommended. Easily accomplished by letting short throwers tee off first so they can spot the long shots.
Other Thoughts:
One cannot help but to compare this course to Roscoe since they are so close together but they are totally different courses. Sam Masi requires accuracy off the tee and approach shots must be considered carefully since on most of the holes several options present themselves. Overall this is a great course with loads of potential. As it matures it will just get better. It really is a thinker's type of course; each shot has to be planned and executed properly to score well here. Sam Masi has a personality all it's own and will stand on it's own merits. Another great course for Medina.
Wanted to add an update for 2015. All of the tee areas have now been covered with an outdoor carpet material that was turned upside down. It is a welcome improvement. One can't help but wonder if this is a precursor to concrete tees as time progresses. Another change is the addition of hole #7 that runs along the walking path towards Roscoe Ewing. There is a marker that states that the hole is 300 feet; fairly straight but with trouble left and right. Played the course again last night; one of the folks that are helping with the layout told me there is another tee for hole #7; it is up the hill behind the walking path where the tee marks are...this adds yet more length and difficulty. From up there the hole plays more like a 380-400 foot downhill dogleg left. Was also fortunate enough to see the layout of the final hole to be finished; #8...and it is a beauty. Looks like the tee is behind the basket of #7 across the creek. The hole looks like a long tunnel shot back towards hole #9. Don't know the final length yet but it will be a test in accuracy as well as perhaps distance.
Now, read on....there is yet more news about Masi....had an opportunity to talk with Team Jenkins recently; ran into them during a round. They were working on the course doing some weeding and tee pad installation. Masi is far from finished....we were told that most of the tees we are playing from (except for the long one on #7 that was installed earlier in the day) are the short tees....that's right fans, the SHORT tees. The layout for the longs is done; in particular hole #2 is going to be stretched at least another 100 feet. On most of the other holes either the long tees or the baskets will be moved back considerably depending on layout....making a tough course that much harder. Also got to walk the as yet unfinished hole #8. It's going to be a tunnel shot (tight both left and right) of 450 gut wrenching feet. Gorgeous hole though. All I know is at this point I'm thinking that Masi is going to be long, tight and tough from the longs...much more so than it is now. I can't wait to see the finished product but it will take some time. In the mean time though I'll play from the furthest back they have available....and enjoy the reprieve. There is a monster coming and his name is Sam.
The course is maturing already...the growth is making it that much harder and the way it is mowed it appears that the landing zones for us shorter arms is even more narrow. Very diabolical and very well done. This course cannot be compared to Roscoe; it is very, very different. Many thanks to the Jenkins family and all those who are working so hard on this one. For me it is a challenge but truly a gem that is definitely worth checking out.
Update for July 2016....Hole #2 has been stretched out. The tee is about 100 feet behind the previous location (now the short) in a small grove of overgrowth. Changes the entire look of the hole. Tee shot requires a sweeping annie; second shot can come in from either side depending upon position of the tee shot. Hole #8 is also finished and it is a brute.....gorgeous, but a brute. Presently requires a stick straight tee shot then a long hyzer to the basket that is tucked in to the left. I don't believe this hole is finished yet since there is another 150+ feet of room to stretch the tee. If that happens (which I have a feeling it will) the hole will be a true monster.
Also, the carpet on most holes has been replaced by new carpet. I believe that the long range plans are concrete tees once they are set; there has already been funds allocated from a few tournaments to help the cause. Team Jenkins are there quite often; please stop and thank them (and others) for all the hard work they have put in to make this course the real deal.