Well, this is my first installment for DG Course Review (an excellent resource for us golfers by the way), and I'm happy to be reviewing Deep Creek Dreams. I had the privilege to play the long tees a couple days ago, while Bob took the fine pictures that you see here. Bob & I also met with Ross that day (the property owner), and talked of potential plans for tee signs, score cards, a hand drawn course map tee-shirt, and other ideas to improve DCD. Bob is a talented graphic artist, and a 30+ year veteran of the sport. He's the guy who brought disc golf to Alamance County's Cedarock Park in 1988, and as of last week, a member of this private course. I mention this because, as nice as this course and property are now... it is poised for some upcoming improvements. I predict Bob Watson and Deep Creek will be a fine marriage... but I digress.
First off, Deep Creek Dreams is a private course. That is one of its best features IMHO. I've been a dues paying member for the last 4 years, and hope to continue till they run me out! Membership has its perks: The gate never closes - there are no park hours - there are no authorities patrolling the course except us members... and we keep the peace! - we have work/play days when course maintenance is needed... and Ross usually feeds the crew - a sense of ownership and input is felt by members and you just don't get that at the city park. Since it's a privately owned course, Ross asks that for non tournament days, players be accompanied by a member, or have express permission by himself. There is a locked box at the barn/shelter near hole 1 for nonmembers to contribute a minimum $5 donation towards the course for a day's access. Here's the deal... Deep Creek Dreams is Ross Davis's extended yard. Actually, the current hole 3a is literally in his front yard so you have to respect his property, his privacy, and his rules. Having said that, Ross is a generous and gregarious guy, who loves disc golf, people, food, beer, cook outs, tournaments, and has a premier disc golf course on site! His dog is cool too...
So, the course...
DCD sprawls around about 40 acres of slightly hilly, 60/40 wooded to open terrain, with an awesome 5acre pond which comes into play on 4 holes. Shots range from 700'+ bombers to a 185' double mando "equalizer" hole, and about everything in between. There are 21 regular holes plus 2 extras (currently 10a & b), used when needed. There are alternate tees for all but 5 holes, and believe me, the blue tees will add strokes to your round. In many cases, the blue/long tees take completely different fairways. This course gives you 95% fair fairways. If you can nail a 40' gap at 300 feet, you will score well, but I will say all fairways allow a lane to the basket, rather than a throw-and-pray scenario. Good drives are rewarded, bad ones are penalized. This course is still changing... just this week a new blue tee was added to current hole 9, and a couple weeks before concrete was poured on hole 5 blue. Did I mention the pond? The water is tinted blue and you get to throw over the short end of the pond on hole 2...a pristine, aesthetically beautiful, over water shot. When the pond freezes in the winter, you can skip off the ice! I personally love to throw discs over water, so hole 2 is my favorite. 2 blue is a bit longer up on the hill, and windy days will put your disc in the drink. But, no worry... if your name/# is on your plastic, you will get it back... never fails! You've got hysers, anhysers, straight, and angled shots. Baskets that are protected by trees, and others in the open. Number 17 hangs by a 70' cable! Longs, medium, & shorts... crush drives, to finesse shorts.
Deep Creek Dreams is an awesome disc golf course which is only getting better. At some point, all the baskets will be replaced with permanent Innova DisCatchers or similar... all the tee pads will be concrete... detailed tee signs, and updated score cards will be added, among other improvements like a floating dock (just finished), along with outdoor showers for swimmers and campers.
I am grateful to be a part of DCD and so thankful that an avid disc golfer (Ross), bought the property and is making it a premiere disc golf course. He added 200+ trees and plants this year alone. Add this one to your wish list if you haven't played it...
See you on the links...