Houston, TX

Tom Bass Regional Park - Powell

2.95(based on 20 reviews)
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Tom Bass Regional Park - Powell reviews

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1 3
ejsanchezjr
Experience: 11 played 5 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Good but cut the grass! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 26, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Good mix of long and short holes. And a mix of wide open and really tight holes although there are really only 4 or 5 tight ones. Easy to get to right off South Beltway. Bathroom at first hole/last tee is a big plus.

Cons:

The grass was knee high on about 90% of the course. I cannot believe I didn't lose a disc - it is that long. Glad I didn't run across any snakes.

Other Thoughts:

Use the map on this website, not the one at the bathroom. Don't freak out when you notice the #11 basket has a #13 on it - it's the right one. They appear to have redesigned the layout at some time and didn't move the numbers. Holes 12-14 are right next to a playground area - I played in the middle part of a weekday, so no kids around, but this may be an issue if kids are using the swings and play area.
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3 2
bogeymanjr
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.7 years 35 played 24 reviews
2.50 star(s)

The First Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 21, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

This is a mostly open course with natural tees and baskets. Best challenges here besides distance on some holes are two throws over the pond for holes 4 & 18. I enjoyed my play here, especially since a lot of the course had recently been mowed. Hole 12 plays through a nice set of trees, which was really good for my Mamba disc. And Hole 17 plays over a blind hill which made a first shot interesting. Lots of good grip and rip holes and few obstacles to get in the way. Excellent practice course for drives.

Cons:

The map up front is nothing like what the course is, so do not go by that. Print out the map here, and use it. Navigation should not be too difficult. Numbering on baskets for holes 11 and 13 are backward. Hole 11 plays to basket 13 and hole 13 plays to basket 11.

Other Thoughts:

I find little difference except more picnic tables and playground equipment between this course and Wilmont. It is a good course to come out and get some good long throws in. Worth the trip to bring some friends, throw a few discs and have a good time.
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2 1
c_a_miller
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 11.9 years 299 played 207 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 13, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Powell is definitely the better of the two courses here at Tom Bass Park.
-The course is long but not as long as Wilmont is.
-A few holes play into the woods which makes the course a bit more challenging.
-This course has a few memorable holes. #17 is blind over and down a hill to the basket. #18 has to carry a lake that surrounds the last basket that is about 300' away.
-Water is in play on a few holes. It is not severe enough that you should worry about losing your disc but there is enough of it to make you a bit on your toes.
-Maybe it is the time I usually play these course, but I have never gone out here and seen another person playing at either of the courses here.
-There is a map, water fountains, and restrooms at the parking lot of the course

Cons:

-No concrete tee pads. Natural tees are fine here but concrete tee pads would make this course much better.
-Towards the middle of the course it gets a bit confusing on what basket you should shoot at. The first time I played here I played to the wrong basket and did not realize it until later.
-This course can get a bit boring since most shots are in the wide open 400' range. I realize this is a championship level course and those type of courses need longer holes but this many with no trees may be over doing it.

Other Thoughts:

Like I said Powell is much better then it's brother course right across the parking lot. If you are passing through and only have the chance to play one of these, this is the one that you need to come and play.
-Because of the lack of trees and shade on this course bring water bottles to protect yourself from the Houston sun.
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6 0
Jefflogix
Experience: 13.6 years 29 played 13 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Excellent Long Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 17, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Lots of long holes, great for developing long drives. Good mix of wooded and open holes. Allows me to use most of the discs in my bag. Very challenging course. Not many water hazards where one might lose a disc. Distances labeled on all of the tee boxes. Holes are all visible and baskets are numbered.

Cons:

No cement tee boxes--tee boxes can get muddy after a good rain. Some of the course holds standing water after a big rain. Course is very rarely mowed, which is my biggest objection to this course. There is tall grass almost everywhere for weeks on end. When they mow, they typically only mow a small section. Some of the holes are next to parks, picnic tables, etc., so you sometimes have to compete with assembled groups for birthday parties, church functions, and volleyball games, etc. (e.g. one Sunday, they were playing flag football on the fairway to hole #9.) The course map posted on the restroom wall is outdated. Best to print out the map on this site and take it with you to navigate your first time playing the course.

Other Thoughts:

This has the potential to be an awesome course. I really enjoy playing it, and it challenges me over and over again. The biggest improvement they could make would be to put in better cement tee boxes and mow the place more regularly.

That said, they have improved signage and basket numbers since some of the negative reviews below were written. The course is better now, but it could still be improved.

Park by the tennis courts, and then walk past the tennis courts to the practice basket and then hole #1.
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2 4
acedp02
Experience: 15.8 years 13 played 2 reviews
4.00 star(s)

My Favorite Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 22, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

A great variety of open and difficult holes. Even the open holes have some technicality to them. Two holes have water but are somewhat easy to throw over.

Cons:

Would be better with concrete tee boxes. They can get somewhat muddy even a couple days after a good rain. They could use better baskets. Even after playing numerous times without the yellow rings they can be difficult to see.
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10 0
srm_520
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 20 years 156 played 142 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Take Two. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Mar 20, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

The Tom Bass Park Powell course is similar in terrain to the Wilmont, minus the big hill. I think it has a higher enjoyment factor, which could be in part to the duel tee placements, but the course itself just feels more doable for the casual player. Unlike the Wilmont, there is a warm-up basket between #1 and #18. #4 and #18 play water, and #18 truly stands out because of this feature and can single-handedly decide a round. The middle portion plays through a more wooded area, which is a welcome break in the Texas sun versus the long open holes surrounding it.

BEST HOLE/S: #18

Cons:

Like the Wilmont, my personal con is unless you're a power player or pro - the regular tees really aren't designed for you. It's not as bad due to the alternate tee pads, but since the signage here is subpar as well, having a map is handy in locating everything if it's your first time out. Again, the feel of this course may not appeal to the majority of casual players.

The signage is mediocre, and the pads are natural and in average to below average shape depending on the weather. There's not much thinking involved besides grip it and rip it, and unless you're playing around the time of the Texas States Tournament - the grass is usually high and the course generally haphazard. Even with the slightly wooded area, most of the course remains wide open, so the African Savannah feel is in play here as well.

WORST HOLE/S: #16

Other Thoughts:

Ultimately in what I believe the open concept design is trying to achieve, the Powell plays second fiddle to the Wilmont. Besides #18, Wilmont's more memorable holes, slightly more diverse shot selection, and the overall grip and rip it feeling, the Powell just isn't as good. However, for the pure enjoyment factor - I really think most casual players will like this course more. Come right after states, and you'll find a well groomed course ready for a solid round.

As echoed in the Wilmont review - I still can't figure out why Tom Bass should still be the host of Texas States. There are just so many better courses out there in Houston (Move it to Jacks Brooks and level the playing field a bit), let alone the state of Texas that have simply left Bass in their wake. I understand the distance factor, but if that's the main issue - go have yourself a tournament in a wheat field with baskets - there's not much difference. Bottom line, I enjoy both Tom Bass courses, but I just enjoy most other 18-hole Houston courses better.
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8 0
scuddyp4
Experience: 16.8 years 32 played 11 reviews
3.00 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 7, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Some good things.

-Practice Basket. It's nice to be able to get some putting in before the round gets started.
-Although the tees are natural, they still are in pretty decent shape. All of the red tees are marked with posts. Blues with bricks in the ground. No big holes or ruts that you have to contend with.
-Hole #18. This is probably the most challenge hole on the course when there is water in the pond. It forces you to make the decision to go for it off the tee or layup and take your par. This is the only hole on the course that will really be that memorable.
-Distance. I like playing this course because it really helps with your distance off the tee. There are only a few holes that most folks won't throw a driver off the tee. Most holes are well out of mid-range/putter length.
-Flow. The course does flow pretty well. Although there are some issues with basket numberings (which I'll address in the "cons" section). There are not any long walks from hole to hole that will make it difficult to find the next tee.
-There are benches close (within 50ft or so) to most tees.
-Map. There is a course map at the restrooms that is accurate for the course.
-Restrooms. There are nice restrooms right by the tennis courts.
-Plenty of parking. This course has plenty of parking because there are not a lot of people that play out here. I've never had a problem finding a place to park. For the Powell course you should park by the tennis courts.
-Cleanliness. This course seemed to not have a lot of trash on it. There are plenty of trashcans on the course to put trash in throughout the round.
-Not a lot of non-DGers. The park seems like it doesn't get used that much. Not just the course, but the park itself. I rarely see anyone in the park when I'm there.

Cons:

Some not so good things.

-Flat and for the most part, wide open. This course is only challenging because of the length of the holes. There aren't really that many holes that force you to throw great shots. There are some longer straight holes with a few trees. There are some that are wide open and there are a few in a slightly wooded section of the park that are slightly more technical. They are not heavily wooded, but they do force you to throw fairly accurate shots in order to have a look at a birdie.
-Alternate tees. There are alternate tees that are marked, just not marked with a post. They have blue bricks that are very hard to locate, even with a map it took me about 5-10 mins to find the first couple of holes. After that I gave up on the alt. tees.
-Baskets markings. The basket markings for #11 and #13 have somehow been switched. On #11 you are throwing to the basket that says "13" and #13 you throw to the basket that says "11". The map that is on DGCR is correct. If you are going to play this course you could bring that for reference.

Other Thoughts:

I will probably continue to play this course about once a month or so. I would rather play Wilmont if I'm going to this park to play. It's not a bad course, but it's not a great course either. It's definitely worth checking out at least once to see if you love it or hate it. Hope this helps.
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2 3
BigJim
Experience: 28.8 years 15 played 4 reviews
3.50 star(s)

One of Houston's better courses. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 14, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Long and challenging.
Enough trees that you actually have to make some shots.
Great finishing hole.

Cons:

Like most Houston courses, there's basically no elevation change.
More wooded holes would be nice.

Other Thoughts:

Challenging course that doesn't get played as much as it should.
Not sure why the hole descriptions state that there's water on 6. I guess if it's raining, there might be some in the ditch.
Also water on 4 doesn't really come into play since it's near the tee box and only about 150' to cross it.
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2 3
MrNiceFella
Experience: 17 played 15 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Windfest! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 18, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Lots of holes to play. Great place to get a tan because there isn't any shade. Good course for beginners.

Cons:

Very flat, very open, not much challenge other than wind. Needs a major update to official course map. Dirt tee pads.

Other Thoughts:

If some Boy Scout would pick this park up as an Eagle project, it could dramatically improve. Concrete tee boxes and good signs would make a big difference.
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2 2
MikoDisc
Experience: 17.8 years 15 played 4 reviews
2.00 star(s)

A PowerDriver's Paradise 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 24, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

If you're looking for long, open holes to practice or perfect your long drives or break-in a new driver, this is the place. Most holes are 350+ feet.

Enough terrain changes (a hill, pond hazard and some light woods) keeps the course interesting.

Cons:

Baskets are not well marked or aligned with tees.

The tee for hole 12 was broken and the basket missing when I played.

Playing through picnic areas and close to playgrounds can be distracting.

Other Thoughts:

It was very difficult to find the first tee as we parked near the play area. We finally found it near the tennis courts.

The course map located at the restrooms by the tennis courts is outdated as the course has changed dramatically.
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1 5
Expired
Experience: 13.8 years 33 played 1 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Bass isn't a favorite 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 11, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Parking lot, restrooms, practice basket, and first hole are all next to each other. It's a decent course when it's been mowed and hasn't rained in a while.

Good workout for driving.

Cons:

It's mostly wide open shots out in the sun. If you can't throw bombs then you probably wont have any fun.. and if you can, then all you have to worry about is getting bored.

If you're new to the course you will need a map to navigate the holes, and even then it'll be a bit of a challenge with everything looking the same and a lack of signage. Some of the tee posts don't point at the basket and will leave you guessing. My first time playing here we finished hole #11 and had no clue on where to go.

Don't hit a kid on hole #9/12/13. Don't lose your disc on #18.

Other Thoughts:

Write anything remotely negative about this course, and prepare to have your review down voted by fanatics.
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3 0
whosnext
Experience: 7 played 7 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Tom Bass Powell 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 31, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Course has nice post for tee boxes and benches. Course has 4 holes over 500ft. and because of the layout the trees make these very hard to three. Has good layout. There are not a lot of trees but because of the layout the trees come into play nicely to make the course challenging. The course is open so wind is a huge factor. If you want to improve your wind game this is the course to do it. Has two challenging water holes and 4 holes in the thick woods. Very challenging to shoot par.

Cons:

Not a good place to play after a rain but drains in about three days. Not much shade so be prepared with water. The blue brick tees for begginers are almost impossible to find.

Other Thoughts:

I love this course because you can air out your arm with little risk. Because of the length of this course your approach comes into to play a lot so if you want to improve your approach this is a great place to do it.
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8 0
Roc1Time
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 22.8 years 131 played 115 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Soccer field golf 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 22, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This course is nice in the aspect that there is 36 holes in the same park and thats about it. This course is pretty wide open not making the fun factor high at all excpet for the few holes that offer a little bit of trees, but it does allow you to air out your arm without having to pay too big of a penalty. There is never alot of people here so you can always play at your own pace and not have to worry about hitting anyone on some of the close fairways. The benches are nice but not really needed unless your playing in a tourney. This course is much better then the Wilmonster but thats not saying a whole bunch.

Cons:

This course is very flat and holds water like your bathtub! There is no shade for the most part making your round feel like your playing on the surface of the sun during the warmer months. Navigation can be an issue for first timers and the place could be a little more manicured. Like said before the good holes do not outweigh the boring and redundent holes that occupy this course.

Other Thoughts:

I really feel like this course doesnt have much to offer over going to a soccer field and airing it out for the mostpart. I have talked to many locals over time and should have listened to them and gone to another course in the area.
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4 2
bobbeno
Experience: 15.2 years 12 played 12 reviews
3.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 14, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This home course of mine has a little bit of everything to offer: 2 water holes (4 & 18), 4 wooded holes; most holes are around 400' or less, a couple over 500' with trees here and there; benches at almost every hole, restrooms at start and between 9 &10 at pavillion.

Cons:

Holds water after rain- mostly the front 9; overgrown at times - mostly in the fall, during spring & summer course is maintained better; not bad enough to need a spotter like when playing big brother Wilmont.

Other Thoughts:

Tee boxes?? More trash cans!
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6 1
ChrisMacG
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.3 years 219 played 31 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Great open course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 20, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

A great selection of long holes make this course good for those with strong arms. The scattered trees around the open fields are used well to create challenging basket locations. The wooded holes are tight and fun.

Cons:

Sometimes the holes get a bit redundant with nearly identical holes (8 & 9, 15 & 16) being next to each other. The field areas also tend to keep water after a rain for a while so it needs to be good and dry. The baskets are a bit difficult to see and could use more markings than the little plastic flags. Often the wind can make this course unplayable.

Other Thoughts:

The park is heavily monitored by the police and they'll bust you for bringing beer on the course, or speeding on the roads or having expired tags.
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10 0
gsuslikesme
Experience: 15.4 years 10 played 6 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Better than his twin 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 1, 2008 Played the course:once

Pros:

I think that this is a well designed fun course. Kinda middle of the road as far as the few courses that I have seen. I really liked the final hole, It is a 430' hole with the approach shot over water. B-E-Autiful... Air it out you will have fun.

Cons:

We couldn't find hole #1...and I think that is sad... When one designs a course I think #1 and #18 should be significant holes, great job with 18...bad job with 1. After walking a football field length to find hole #1 we began our round. My suggestion...don't forget to print out a course map, or look it up on your iphone because you will NOT just figure it out.

Other Thoughts:

I am sure that if you play this course a few times you will find this course to be fun. When we played for the 1st time we had to redo 3 holes because we threw at the wrong basket. I also lost a disc in the drink on hole #4 in the gale force wind. Holes 10-14 are very confusing. I can recommend this course, but only if you have a course map. Powell is much better than his ugly not so identical twin Wilmont. If you only have time to play one of these 2 play Powell, if you have time to play 2, you still don't have time to play Wilmont.
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9 0
Texconsinite
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.2 years 138 played 77 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Bring the Pith Helmet, we're going to the Savannah 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Mar 15, 2008 Played the course:once

Pros:

Wide open field on most holes with a few scattered trees. Plenty of opportunities to just let it fly with room for error. Pretty forgiving. a few little twists like shooting over river or pond, or the one pin placed in the middle of a dozen large trees. Even a few holes that play on or around a hill.

Cons:

Many of the Houston courses hold water after a rain, but this course is the worst I've played on. Very, very mucky. Look for the splash if you want to know where your dish landed. Bring Goretex boots unless you like soggy socks. Not much terrain, one hill, one lake, one river, and very scattered trees makes this a pretty straightforward course.

Most holes are just a straight shot the pin, with a tree or two thrown in. Its important to note that if there is no terrain, trees or hazards, its impossible to have anything other than a straight shot.

Some baskets might be guarded by a tree, but mostly its just boring, and teeing off in ankle deep water gets old really fast.

Its impossible to mow the grass in 6in of standing water, and thus, the grass here is out of control, over 2 ft tall in places. This makes it even harder trudging through the course and looking for your drives in the shallow water

The few holes on this course with interesting wrinkles are far outweighed by the many dull ones in-between them. The large amount of wide open space on this course is a blank template that you could mold into just about anything. It would take a lot of labor and some funding, but this course be drastically improved.

Obviously it has a drainage problem. They could solve this with more ditches for drainage and a new pond for them to flow into, combined with appropriately sloped landscaping and french drains to clear up remaining trouble spots on the fairways. This would would give them lots of water to work with in creating a bunch of new hazards, and opens up many possibilities, such as rivers, lakes and even island greens. When they dig out these areas for drainage, they can strategically put the dirt on some of the fairways to raise them and add some terrain to the wide open expanse. Throw in some additions like a terraced green and another tree here and there on top of all that, and this course easily goes from 2.0 to 4.0. Will this ever happen? Doubtful, as there are already many other, more interesting courses in Houston, but the potential is here, even if the funding and manpower never will be.

Other Thoughts:

Sometimes, Spring Valley Proshop sets up a mobile shop at the gazebo by hole 1 and the pond, has discs and even a few bags.

Also, no alcohol means no alcohol. Maybe it was just the weekend we were there, but cops were sitting watching us the whole time we were playing, which was easy since the whole course is pretty open.
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13 0
ERicJ
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.3 years 286 played 154 reviews
3.00 star(s)

I like Powell 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Mar 15, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Well marked Main (red) tees. Available set of Alt (blue) tees marked with large bricks. Good mix of open and wooded holes Water in play on two holes.

For this course to provide the appropriate challenge you need to play a tee box to the right side off all tee posts, except #17 which plays to the left side. Over the years players have "cheated" and teed off on the wrong side leaving worn patches that entice players to the wrong side of the tee. Don't be fooled, play the <span class="italic">right</span> side... especially on holes #1, 4, and 8.

Cons:

Alt tees are hard to find without a map. Does not drain well, leading to very soggy fairways and muddy tee boxes. This is a multi-use park and at times parking near hole #1 for Powell can be at a premium. You may have to play around picnicers and soccer or cricket players. The course map in pavilion is no longer accurate.

Other Thoughts:

Has a warm-up basket. All dogs must be kept on leashes. This is a solid course that should not disappoint beginner or advanced players. Was the site for Texas State DG Championships for many years.

As of Dec '08 holes #11 and #13 have been swapped to improve the flow of play. Also, #12 tee and basket have been moved after hurricane Ike left the old hole far too easy.

In May 2011 the tee box for #10 was moved ~40' to the right to improve the footing.

Frequently patrolled by police looking out for all violations, including traffic so watch the speed limit through the park.
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5 3
gcrussell4
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 19.1 years 146 played 25 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Powell 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 23, 2008 Played the course:never

Pros:

Long, well designed, a little more versatility then it is given credit for.

Cons:

It is a flood plain and unless you have had a week and a half of sunshine you will get your socks wet, rarely mowed.

Other Thoughts:

My home course. Great place to stretch out your arm and get some good wind practice. A little easier and more pleasant experience then playing the Wilmont course.
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5 1
ferretdance03
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 18.8 years 102 played 18 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Powell 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 18, 2007 Played the course:never

Pros:

This is a good place to work on your long drives. Fairly decent tees, with ample room for driving. Very pretty surroundings, with no real danger of pedestrian interference.

Other Thoughts:

We had a hard time finding the course(s) because of the shear size of Tom Bass Park. The disc golf courses seem to be long just for the sake of being long, with no real challenge except for length. Many holes were on the verge of unplayable due to overgrowth, and most of the fairways were grown up to waist height.
I have heard rumor of bass swimming down the middle of the fairway due to poor drainage, and after walking in knee deep rain water, I believe it!
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