Pros:
(2.657 Rating) **REEVALUATED** due to adding 9 additional holes. Now 18.
A beautiful city park course that's challenging in relation to course par.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - IMO, visually the most beautiful course in the PCB area. The collection of plant species to throw thru is among the most diverse I've ever played. Well framed windows using healthy and vibrate trees.
- DIFFICULTY - In terms of course par, a very challenging layout. Although the newer holes are not marked for par yet, the original nine has four par 2's amongst them. The par 2 holes are (1, 6, 16, 18). If the course par remains at 50 for 18 holes, I figure only advanced players and higher will crack par on a routine basis
- TEES - A major improvement when compared to my last visit. In my old review I had mentioned that they were wood chips. With the exception of 16 and 18 (and maybe one more), the tees are now concrete. Not the largest pads out there, but leap years better than before.
- SHOT SHAPING - For a city park, a surprising amount shot shaping is required. Several windows, tree splits and sweeping lines to master. By far the most shot thought demand that's required among the PCB area courses.
- UNIQUENESS - A step up being 18 holes. I now find the overall variety to be a touch above average. Several pocket shots and well guarded basket placements. A nice water clear on (11) and a nice parallel water play on (8). There's a hanging basket on (9), but it's so low that it didn't add to my putter thought process. All also mention that Bay Memorial has the most elevated shots in the Metro area, at a whopping 15 feet of change. See cons, elevation.
- QUICK PLAY - Obviously not as quick as the old 9 hole layout, but the course will play in about two hours per foursome.
- MAINTENANCE - The holes outside the wood appears to be constantly trimmed and manicured. There was very little trash spotted by me along the layout. However, when inside the woods, the overgrowth can get thick. see cons, overgrowth.
- CHAINS - All the baskets look nearly new and have heavy chains.
Cons:
A few sizable issues with Bay Memorial as of my return visit, July 2017.
- NAVIGATION - Not in a good state as of this revision. The old hole signage on (16-18) will confuse players when they read (7-9) on them. The course map on site is outdated. No numbers on new tee posts and no tee signs as well . Your best bet will be to download the map on DGCR. I found everything with the map, but tee (15). The rainstorms were coming so I gave up after 2 minutes of looking and improvised in my rush to finish the new holes.
- FORGIVENESS - Several holes have very tight lines and good shots will still likely get picked off. Being off your mark on holes (3 and 4) will result in a struggle to make boggie. Hole (3) is a 300 foot poke and hope shot just to get to the landing area 75 feet short of the basket. The hole signage seems to think that there's a line to the right, but the vegetation has swallowed up most of the line. Also, on number (11), a miss right means you swimming for it, or a lost disc.
- OVERGROWTH - The overgrowth on several holes is pretty bad. (1-4), (14-15) and (17-18) No doubt you will spend some time looking for your disc, especially on (3) and (4). Enjoy the summer mud on these holes as well when searching.
- DISCONTINUITY - The walk between(15-16) is near impossible without a map. At least 600 feet separates basket and next tee. The walk from (3) to (4) is not marked, and the map is also required to make this connection.
- CHARACTER - Compared to established courses, Bay Memorial is missing a lot of your typical items. Just about no seating at the tees. As stated, Tee signs are only on the original 9 holes, with holes (16-18) sill showing the numbers (7-9). The course map is also outdated. Other missing items include no second set of tees, no multi pin placements and no practice area. There is however a drinking fountain and a potta-potty.
- ELEVATION - Really not that much unless you only play Florida courses. But for Florida, probably average and the most elevation for the PCB area. Hole (1), (8) and (17) slide down about 15 feet, and hole (18) probably goes up by 15 feet.
- SPACING - Below average. It's a tight fit, but there really is not much to work with in the space provided. There are numerous occurrences where the basket and next are perilously close. Baskets (5 and 17) are almost on top of each other. The group of holes (11-15) are stacked with just about no separation.
Other Thoughts:
IMO, the best of the PCB courses. It has issues but a few of the sizable ones are correctable. With fixed navigation I would entertain updating Bay Memorial to a 3 rating.
- PAR 2's - I'm not sure what to make of the Par 2's. I'm typically not a fan of them as they feel out of place.
- TIME WAITING - Although I had no issue first two times, this course looks like a place that will attract an exorbitant amount of joggers and walkers.