That really sucks to hear. We always try to get out there at least once per year in the early season just to avoid some of the overgrowth, ticks, etc. It is truly an amazing piece of land and a total tragedy that the course hasn't been maintained. I think in a bigger 'market' with a dedicated club a course like that could be a 4+ star and beyond.Unlikely that the Reservoir course at Jamestown will ever hold a state championship event again. The area saw multiple years of flooding and at least 6 baskets are completely rusted due to sitting in the water for months at a time, they've also lost numerous trees and have had a couple of baskets stolen.
When I designed the 27 holes and we implemented with the great help of Doug Hogan and JPR back about 10 years ago, one of the things that I stressed to the Stutsman County Park Board (which is the maintenance/operations entity) was the need to properly maintain and mow the area of the design. They (the Stutsman County Park Board members) all agreed it would be no problem. I should mention that Jamestown Parks and Rec (Doug Hogan) went above and beyond to help get the course in even though he didn't have a dog in the fight, but he bent over backwards to help make the course a reality. The true reality is that Stutsman County Park Board, has never mowed it correctly. They barely have done anything other than what they were already doing for the other park user on the island. If it hadn't been for the help of JPR (Doug Hogan) supplying equipment for us to mow it, it probably never would've even gotten implemented. I, along with Brandon Balzer's help, mowed it 2 or 3 times correctly, and Chris Witkop also did it once and I think even Charles Sullivan did it once in the early years in order to be able to run tournaments. Unfortunately the best stretch of holes on that course is 13-19 and the Park Board has never mowed it (other than a narrow walking path).
In retrospect, I probably should've toned it back and only have done 18 holes completely on the island portion - which still would've been a killer course. I heard Tom is planning on running something out there in a week or two. But with all the trees gone on 10-11-12, 21 and 25, it definitely isn't the same epic course.
It is in such run-down shape that Joey and I have actually asked the PDGA to remove it from the list of courses in the directory - I don't know why they haven't, but they should. It is an embarrassment to see what was such a great course in such sad shape.
If Fargo had some terrain like that I don't think I'd have a single thing to complain about as far as course variety is concerned. Relief like that is SORELY lacking in the western side of the state. I was definitely hoping a state tournament might be able to get things back in order.