Pros:
- two course maps
- excellent blue DiscGolfPark baskets
- area in multi-use park mostly devoted to disc golf
- trash cans and some benches
- nice, large dual concrete tees
- tee signs at each tee with full color maps
- intense elevation change for Illinois
- hole numbers on baskets
- next tee indicators built into baskets
- navigation generally straightforward
- good degree of challenge with variety of shots
- well maintained and mowed park
- built-in bridges where needed
- multiple water hazards
- good mix of hole lengths
Cons:
- most long tees just add distance and not much of a different look
- tall prairie grasses can make finding discs difficult in places
- limited tree/woods obstacles
- long walk between 11 and 12 (but good navigational signage)
- not as natural a feel as true hills
Other Thoughts:
The Quarry at Rotary Park is an excellent new course in the Starved Rock area. With the nearby Starved Rock DGC, this area is becoming a reasonably solid disc golf destination. The Quarry brings a moderate plus level of challenge with significant elevation change, water hazards, and a variety of hole lengths and tee positions.
Alas, this is Illinois, and most of our elevation change comes from old quarries and the like. I don't feel like this course is quite as natural feeling as a truly hilly or mountainous area, but it's what we've got and it's excellent in terms of vertical diversity for Illinois. Equipment is top notch, with not one, but two course signs with maps (one for front nine, one for back nine). Honestly, these are so close together it seems a bit wasteful to have two, but it's a nice touch. There are benches are garbage cans, brand new baskets, and dual concrete tees.
What's most lacking here is probably some more wooded holes. Illinois is a prairie state and that is well showcased here, but in my opinion prairie courses don't make for the best disc golf. They are excessively punishing when looking for discs, and there are elements of that here. Still this course is well laid out, separated from other park activities, and has a decent amount of technical challenge for not being very wooded. There are two ponds thrown over here which adds some more risk and another element to the course.
I only noted one long walk here, but navigation aids are excellent and it was usually clear where to go. In terms of the effort and polish put into this course, its in the upper echelon. The course wasn't quite unique and technical enough to score higher, but it's very well put together and worth a stop if you're in the area. I only had a few real complaints and its an enjoyable course. The play is strenuous here; you will be out in the sun hiking up and down hills, so it's a good idea to play early. There is a good variety of hole lengths and this course is a welcome addition to the area.