Pros:
-nice property and tournament level course in beautiful Osage Nation territory
-variety galore, with decent elevation changes, trees in the right places, water shots, and good use of rocky outcrops as well
-concrete tees (at least two sets per hole), good baskets, logical course flow
-multiple memorable holes, but signature is definitely number 17, the island hole
-fairways and essential golf features have always been well maintained in my 3 visits
Most memorable holes for me:
3 - good par 4 (maybe par 3 from Pro tee?) with initial option to go over the top from elevated tee, with a slightly elevated and guarded green
7 - fairly straightforward but fun downhill RHBH into a wooded green
9 - uphill through corridor of trees to a basket on rocky outcrop
10 - par 4 with placement shots required; basket is nestled in a rocky green across a creek providing some water danger
13 - long, right finishing par 3 with some down-sloping trouble long or left
17 - They don't call it the Island Course for nothing! This hole showcases a well-constructed island green that would be too small if the tees were farther away. The slope of the green also helps discs catch on the small area. As it stands, it's very scenic and requires your best putter precision and touch.
Cons:
-the course requires a lot of maintenance, and the bridges, though not unsafe, are a little run down (leading to 9's tees and to 17's island)
-never really cycles back by the main parking area, so take what you need with you
-I managed to miss 15's long tee my first time out because the path was a bit overgrown
-check for ticks; I got a couple on only one of my visits (early June)
Other Thoughts:
Between the two courses here, there is an awesome selection of memorable and challenging holes. Both courses are full of character and have that extra, intangible pizzazz from start to finish. Pawhuska is smack dab in the middle of beautiful Osage Nation territory, and both courses benefit from having abundant space in great disc golf terrain. From a design standpoint, maybe a few of the 36 are only middle of the road good, but there aren't any bad holes here.
Island Course uses this space and terrain well. This isn't your typical wooded course, but you never forget about the trees nor the other natural features. About half the holes on Island Course are somewhat open but with well-placed trees, but there are also several tight wooded holes, and water comes into play on holes 2, 10, 15, 17, and 18. Elevation changes are ever present and come into play in more than half the Island Course holes, greatly enhancing the visual appeal and feel of your round while adding a vertical element to the disc golf challenge.
I've been out to this property three times, had a blast every time (once in the rain and once a day or two after heavy rain), and will be back even though it's almost three hours' drive. Jim and Debbie and family have been great, and the courses are undoubtedly two of the best in Oklahoma. You can't help but enjoy the drive out here, regardless of where you started. If you're into this kind of thing, I'd recommend stopping by the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve to check out the grasslands, bison, and birds. Family and friends that aren't disc golf inclined have joined me on two trips, once enjoying the property with me and once visiting the well-known Pioneer Woman Mercantile store and restaurant while I played.
Rating and summary: 4.5 or "phenomenal." If the bridges and on course navigation cues were in a bit better shape, it would be closer to 4.75 though not quite a 5.0. As is, maybe it's down in the 4.4 range but still well worth this rating. The variety of shots on this course alone is commendable, but when put together with the Moccasin Creek course this is really a special venue. It would be worth setting aside a full day or even two to have adequate time to enjoy these courses.