Pros:
-Lots of interesting and challenging shots
-I especially like the longer 2nd shots
-Big, newer grabby Mach X baskets!
-2 baskets on most holes.
-The original holes have good photo signs w distances
-Some VERY long concrete tee-pads
-Some beautiful grassy knoll and water parkland.
-Effort made to keep course viable amidst changes.
-Some restrooms, benches, trashcans etc
-In town location with parking and room to practice.
Cons:
-Ummmm...as stated often...confusing layout!
-Some criss-crossing fairways.
-Some par 3s are really 4s.
-Some alternate baskets don't really offer much variety.
-Will need another layout change after construction.
-Not a lot of elevation (but good use of what's there.)
Other Thoughts:
First up, let me just say this is a VERY hard course to rate.
IF your criteria is 'Are there great shots and I'll put up with anything to get 'em', well this is a 4+ easy. But if you want a coherent layout that gets you around a dependable 'course' without long detours and criss-crossing fairways...a 3 would be generous. I'm rounding up to a 4 because I just love the challenge here.
Since I had read about the layout, I stalled around the practice basket, well to the right of Tee #1 until I saw a couple locals who looked like they knew the way. They gave me a great tour and we enjoyed a very long round a lot. But if you try to go it alone, good luck.
HINT: It's a big park and my GPS did not take me to Hole #1. It took almost 1/2 an hour to drive around the back of the course. Follow the directions on the site here.
REC/Casual players: This is one of the longer 'Park Courses' I have played. Figure on playing the short baskets and you will have plenty of long 2nd shots even so.
NOTE: Skip these course directions unless you need em:
GETTING AROUND THE CURRENT LAYOUT: The course starts out with the tennis courts on your right. From the short basket on the hillside, it's quite a ways out to the right to #2, which plays down a long open grassy hill. Then you cross the street and play 3 temporary holes with little rug tees near the elementary school. They basically just do a clock-wise triangle to make do until construction finishes on the back nine.
Then you cross back onto the regular course with full teepads again. Note: the next 2 holes are # 5 and #6! #5 plays up the hill towards the trees. #6 is beyond to the right. The long basket is a wonderful par 4 really, to the right of the building.
Now it gets tricky. You head left across the street, don't play any of the holes you see but walk way out the wide bike and hike path by the creek to #7 on the other side of the railroad tracks. You know you are there when you see a very large stone wall down the right side. #8 is an ace run beyond to the right.
Now you keep going right/clockwise past both 9 and 10 that are in the construction. Your next 3 holes complete the clockwise circle at the wide path. NOW you play the four holes you walked by after #6. Yeeeeeeesh. But they are fun holes so WTH. The #15 water hole drive is priceless.
Next you cross the street again, but don't play the #17 tee right in front of you!? Walk past it up the paved way to 16. You guessed it....NOW you play 17 which criss-crosses 16 LOL. But they are good holes too.
18 plays a long way between the creek and the tennis courts, way out past the lot and Tee #1. Who cares. It's a great hole too. So there you have it. If your willing to hike for it, find your way around or hook up with locals, there are more great shots here than most any 'Park Course'.
But a quick casual 'course bag' for new players it's not. Enjoy.