Great Midwestern Tour – Late Fall Edition

[ru4por]

With the potential for winter weather we decided to make this a car trip rather than a van trip. Most nights we will be staying with friends/relatives anyway.

Still hoping to bag Iowa and Minnesota, along with a couple of DGCR top 25 courses. But the underlying goal is to bag enough #1 rated state courses to catch up with BogeyNoMore.

Updated itinerary, probably still wildly optimistic. Suggestions and comments welcomed!

Outbound:

The Glades at Meshach Run (nr) 9
Chasing the Chains DGC (2.00) 11
Echo Valley (4.45) 18 = Ohio #1
Harmon Park (2.86) 9
Megiddo DGC (4.23) 18
Camden Park – II (4.50) 18
Dubuque Veterans Memorial (3.87) 18 = New state! (Iowa)
Loras College (nr) 6
Veteran Hills (4.33) 18

Visiting relatives in Chippewa Falls (already played the Tower Ridge courses):

Lafayette Town Hall Park (3.33) 9
Leininkugel's – Warmup (1.50) 6
Leinenkugel's – Main (3.00) 18
Mount Simon Park (3.25) 9
Buckrub DGC (nr) 9
Pinehurst Park (2.50) 9

Hoping to sneak out to Minneapolis/St. Paul for a day or two and meet up with some locals:

Brickyard (3.59) 9
Garlough Park (3.08) 9 = New state! (Minnesota)
Blue Ribbon Pines (4.71) 27 = DGCR #9, Minnesota #1
Bethel University (3.79) 18
Kaposia Park (3.95) 20
Lambs Creek (3.61) 9

Chippewa Falls to Menomonee Falls via Lambeau Field:

Perkins Park (2.54) 9
Rollin Ridge (4.78) 18 = DGCR #4, Wisconsin #1
Sandy Knoll – Anfanger (2.00) 9
Sandy Knoll – Original (3.78) 18
Grotelueschen Presidents Park (2.00) 3
Stoney Creek (4.09) 18

Day trip to Markesan:

Fireman's Park Upper (2.92) 10
Markesan High School (1.50) 9

Homebound, including a visit with Michigan relatives:

Meyer Broadway – Original (3.89) 18
Pine Lake Rec. Area (4.00) 9
Rolling Hills – Main (4.07) 18 – Not dog friendly
Rolling Hills – Labyrinth (2.00) 18
Findley State Park (4.20) 24
The Dips @ Denny Park (2.50) 9
Mile Lane Disc Golf (1.50) 18

Rough route map:

I spent some time researching Rolling Hills. I cannot find any restrictions on dogs on any part of the park system web site. Dogs are certainly in the park, all the time and I am very sure I have seen them on the course. There is no real park patrol on the course. There is technically a disc golf fee, but that is not enforced in any way either. I don't want to be on your bad side if you get in trouble....but, I would bring the dog.

 

[Monocacy]

I spent some time researching Rolling Hills. I cannot find any restrictions on dogs on any part of the park system web site. Dogs are certainly in the park, all the time and I am very sure I have seen them on the course. There is no real park patrol on the course. There is technically a disc golf fee, but that is not enforced in any way either. I don't want to be on your bad side if you get in trouble....but, I would bring the dog.

Firstly, thank you for researching and providing local perspective - greatly appreciated!

I thought Rolling Hills might have dog restrictions but perhaps it was for a different park. Anyway, I am certainly willing to play the clueless out-of-towner who didn't know the rules as long as I am not causing problems for those who live and disc golf in the area.

And I do not mind paying disc golf fees. Moar revenue might yield moar/better disc golf courses, yes?

 

[Future_Primitive]

Firstly, thank you for researching and providing local perspective - greatly appreciated!

I thought Rolling Hills might have dog restrictions but perhaps it was for a different park. Anyway, I am certainly willing to play the clueless out-of-towner who didn't know the rules as long as I am not causing problems for those who live and disc golf in the area.

And I do not mind paying disc golf fees. Moar revenue might yield moar/better disc golf courses, yes?

I will second ru4por, have definitely seen dogs in the park and on the courses. If it is a rule it is poorly enforced.

Don't mind disc golf fees by themselves, just stings a little more after I just paid $10 to get in the park. Now I have to toss in $3(?) more to play which was the only reason I came to the park. :\

 

[elmexdela]

ehh those marylanders also nickel and dime everyone at a lot of their courses too so im sure monocacy has built a tolerance to stomach it

 

[Monocacy]

I will second ru4por, have definitely seen dogs in the park and on the courses. If it is a rule it is poorly enforced.

Thank you very much. Being able to take the dog would simplify life considerably.

Don't mind disc golf fees by themselves, just stings a little more after I just paid $10 to get in the park. Now I have to toss in $3(?) more to play which was the only reason I came to the park. :\

Ah, gotcha. I suppose I should clarify: I don't mind disc golf fees when I am traveling.

Paying $13 every time you play one of your local courses would get annoying. I think the highest park fee around here is 3 or 4 bucks for in-state (just a few nickels and dimes ).

 

[Future_Primitive]

Ah, gotcha. I suppose I should clarify: I don't mind disc golf fees when I am traveling.

Paying $13 every time you play one of your local courses would get annoying. I think the highest park fee around here is 3 or 4 bucks for in-state (just a few nickels and dimes ).

To be fair it would be cheaper if I was local, live in Washtenaw County and pay $5.00, live outside and its $10 per car. 10 miles outside or 1,000 miles same price.

Pretty much the off season after Labor Day, highly doubt they even have someone working the disc golf booth anyways.

 

[Nick Pacific]

Firstly, thank you for researching and providing local perspective - greatly appreciated!

I thought Rolling Hills might have dog restrictions but perhaps it was for a different park. Anyway, I am certainly willing to play the clueless out-of-towner who didn't know the rules as long as I am not causing problems for those who live and disc golf in the area.

And I do not mind paying disc golf fees. Moar revenue might yield moar/better disc golf courses, yes?

Local to the area. Bagged more than 200 rounds at Rolling. I've never seen them kick someone out for having a dog, and have seen plenty of dogs on that course.

There are actually 2 courses at Rolling plus the labyrinth putter course. The OG course is the most commonly played. The Foz course is the newer, rougher around the edges but this time of the year is a great play. Ignore the poor reviews, thats mostly because the course is unplayable for half the year (but looks great right now). I'd try and make time for all three. I'd say you could blaze through both courses plus the putter course in about 3 hours or less.

I'd be happy to show you the course and how to birdie most of the holes too ; )

 

[DeanMoriarty]

Stoney + Sandy Knoll is gonna be a good combo to play. Enjoy your rounds man!

 

[Nick Pacific]

Paying $13 every time you play one of your local courses would get annoying. I think the highest park fee around here is 3 or 4 bucks for in-state (just a few nickels and dimes ).

As a local I can pay 30 bucks for the yearly and that gets me into Rolling (2 courses plus the putter course) and all the park amenities there PLUS it also gets you into Independence Lake County park, which also has two 4/5 courses as well. They are about a 25 minute drive apart. Depending on how ambitious you are, if you dropped the 10 to get into Rolling that pass might also get you into Indy same day as well? (might want to double check on that).

 

[Monocacy]

Local to the area. Bagged more than 200 rounds at Rolling. I've never seen them kick someone out for having a dog, and have seen plenty of dogs on that course.

Fabulous, thank you!

There are actually 2 courses at Rolling plus the labyrinth putter course. The OG course is the most commonly played. The Foz course is the newer, rougher around the edges but this time of the year is a great play. Ignore the poor reviews, thats mostly because the course is unplayable for half the year (but looks great right now). I'd try and make time for all three. I'd say you could blaze through both courses plus the putter course in about 3 hours or less.

If this was a solo bagging trip, playing all three courses would be a no-brainer. But the reality is that spousal unit's 15-year old blind and deaf Pug can only walk a few holes and then needs to be carried. That would not be fair for me to ask, especially towards the end of a long trip.

So probably shooting for Main and Labyrinth.

I'd be happy to show you the course and how to birdie most of the holes too ; )

Sweet! Current plan is the afternoon of Sunday, November 20th, but we will see how the plan survives contact with reality.

It would be fun to meet up with a good chunk of DGCR's Michigan crew.

 

[Monocacy]

Stoney + Sandy Knoll is gonna be a good combo to play. Enjoy your rounds man!

Thanks! Looking forward to those.

 

[Monocacy]

As a local I can pay 30 bucks for the yearly and that gets me into Rolling (2 courses plus the putter course) and all the park amenities there PLUS it also gets you into Independence Lake County park, which also has two 4/5 courses as well. They are about a 25 minute drive apart.

Nice. In a similar vein, I joined one of the local clubs so I can play Clark's Run (my most-played local course) for "free".

Depending on how ambitious you are, if you dropped the 10 to get into Rolling that pass might also get you into Indy same day as well? (might want to double check on that).

I appreciate the advice on park fees. Delaware state parks have a similar system.

But when traveling with spousal unit, my baseline expectation is one course per day. Two courses per day is a special occasion bonus, and more than two is just me being kind of a jerk.

 

[DeanMoriarty]

Thanks! Looking forward to those.

Might I make a quick suggestion for your Green Bay portion.

I would definitely pick Pamperin over Perkins as they are also right next to each other and Pamperin is GB's highest rated 18er and apparently pretty freakin' scenic. Not sure if you have time constraints but that'd be the one I'd pick if I only had one day up there.

I will be finding out myself hopefully this Sunday when I make my way up there for a day.

 

[Monocacy]

Might I make a quick suggestion for your Green Bay portion.

Please do.

I would definitely pick Pamperin over Perkins as they are also right next to each other and Pamperin is GB's highest rated 18er and apparently pretty freakin' scenic. Not sure if you have time constraints but that'd be the one I'd pick if I only had one day up there.

Thank you for the suggestion! Pamperin definitely sounds like a better course than Perkins, and I hope you enjoy playing there. Unfortunately Pamperin does not allow dogs.

And yeah, schedule will be tight on that day. Green Bay is planned to be a stop on the way from Chippewa Falls to Menomonee Falls, sunset is supposed to be around 4:24 PM, and I really want to play Rollin Ridge.

 

[ru4por]

Stoney + Sandy Knoll is gonna be a good combo to play. Enjoy your rounds man!

Just got back from Milwaukee and I agree with this. There is a small pro shop and generally a nice campfire burning outside of the pro shop at Sandy Knoll. It was a great place to sit a spell and have lunch. The front 9 at Stony Creek was meh, but the back 9 was terrific.

 

[Monocacy]

Just got back from Milwaukee and I agree with this. There is a small pro shop and generally a nice campfire burning outside of the pro shop at Sandy Knoll. It was a great place to sit a spell and have lunch. The front 9 at Stony Creek was meh, but the back 9 was terrific.

Fabulous, thanks! I am looking forward to Stoney Creek and Sandy Knoll.

In other news, to accommodate family stuff we might skip Green Bay and blast straight from Chippewa Falls to Menomonee Falls. If that happens, Rollin Ridge will have to wait for another trip, and disc golf options would change to:

Justin Trails – Big Brother (4.62) 18 = DGCR #20
Mile Bluff DGC (3.17) 6

^ Which is closer to the original plan. Hey, family stuff is the priority, so whaddaya gonna do?

I checked with Justin Trails and we should be there just before hunting season.

 

[Monocacy]

Great looking trip. If you want a tour guide for Echo, let me know. I'm only 45 minutes away.

Best guess is that we will be at Echo Valley around 11:30 or so on Tuesday 11/8. If that is a convenient time and you want to meet up, let me know and we can work out details.

If the middle of a work day is not convenient, no worries - but I appreciate the offer.

 

[wolfhaley]

Mile Bluff is probably going to make the top of your "Best 6 hole courses" list.

 

[Monocacy]

Mile Bluff is probably going to make the top of your "Best 6 hole courses" list. ��

Haha. It does look fun. I am intrigued by the quicksand pond warnings, although maybe it will be frozen. :\

(and I have played a fair number of "6-holes or fewer" courses)

 

[wolfhaley]

Haha. It does look fun. I am intrigued by the quicksand pond warnings, although maybe it will be frozen. :\

(and I have played a fair number of "6-holes or fewer" courses)

I've only played it once, and didn't encounter any quicksand. But if taking the I-94 route from Chippewa Falls to Menomonee Falls, in November, that's actually a fantastic choice. If I did have a favorite 6 hole course list, that one might actually take top honors. Right off the expressway too.