Pros:
***Review totally updated due to upgrade from 9 to 18 holes in May of 2014***
The view of the Uniontown, PA valley below the grounds is very nice. If you've ever been through Uniontown and noticed the big white cross on the mountain above town, that's where the course is. There's plenty to do in Uniontown... eating, shopping, etc. and it's just a short drive away. Plus the region has lots of other outdoor activities to participate in (hiking, boating, fishing, caving, etc.).
On site there are hiking trails, tennis courts, volleyball courts, basketball courts, a playground and a baseball diamond. You would need to check with management to see if it's OK to use these facilities, though.
The course has been greatly improved over the last few years with the new baskets and tee markers (2012), and especially the 9 new holes (2014). If you park by the pool-house, in the dirt parking lot off of Old Braddock Rd., you'll be close to the beginning and end of the course.
The tee markers for #1-6 and #16-18 are just concrete slabs in the ground with the hole number on them. Holes #7-15 have vertical posts with the hole number on them. Navigation is very simple, especially from #7-17. When the new map is made, it will be very helpful.
The Liberty baskets are all in very good shape. They catch pretty well. I found that they don't catch hard putts very well, as they'll hit the pole and bounce out, or off center putts, especially on the left side for a RHBH putter. The chains seem to have more spitouts than on other "'pro-grade" baskets.
The holes are an excellent mix of open, lightly wooded and very wooded. Overall, the course is pretty short. #6 is the longest open hole at 471' and #12 is the longest wooded hole. I estimated it at 350'. For reference, I can drive on a wide open hole around 350' with a good pull. With that being said, #6 is the only hole that I can't reach from the tee due to sheer distance. But I do get to throw driver from 2 other holes. The rest are mid-range and putter holes for me. There's not a lot of elevation on the property, but what there is gets used.
With the addition of the new wooded holes, the blend of left turning, right turning and straight shots is well distributed. There are some interesting right turning holes and a very nice "S" shaped hole, #10. So you do need more than just a "big stupid hyzer" in your arsenal. The wooded holes are generally pretty tight, but are definitely fair. The super short #13 doesn't appear to have a real shot at the basket, but I found a very reasonable, unexpected line. No I'm not giving away my secret. ;-)
If you don't want to deal with the thick wooded holes, #7-15, you can still play the original 9 hole course as holes #1-6 and 16-18.
Cons:
If you must have nice tees, a lot of length, drastic elevation changes and/or water on your courses, then this isn't the course for you. This isn't really a con for me, but I just wanted to note it.
The new holes are still a work in progress. There are tee signs, but it's unclear in a few instances which side of the marker you're supposed to throw from. The signs interfered with my follow through on a couple so I just backed up a little extra. The tees are natural and rough in several cases.
The rough is very rough and will probably only get deeper and thicker as the Summer progresses. Hopefully they keep up with course maintenance. Plus the trees and brush from the clearing of fairways has been left very close to the holes and definitely comes into play.
On holes #7-15, the next tee is very close to the previous basket on most holes. Errant drives and approaches could easily find there way into the teebox of the next hole. Also, be careful on holes #3-4, as it is easy to go OB onto the road.
Other Thoughts:
Highlights:
**Hole #1 is now a nice, blind, right turning opener.
**Hole #6 is open all of the way to the basket, with the basket tucked in-between a small grove of pine trees. It should give all but big arms an opportunity to really air out their drives at 471'.
**Hole #8 is a cool "S" shaped hole down a narrow, but reasonable path. A "two" on this hole would feel really good.
**Hole #12 will probably open up just a little pretty soon, with a dead tree currently leaning over the fairway early. In any case, this is a very cool, slightly down-hill, long and straight hole, though a couple gaps in the trees.
This course is at a church camp and I bet that it's been a lot of fun for attendees. I wonder, though, what they'll think of the new wooded holes. The tight fairways, hole configurations, and nasty rough will not prove to be very beginner friendly. And my kudos to the people at Jumonville Glen Retreat Center!!! The improvements to the course have not gone unnoticed by me.
I still wouldn't call Jumonville a destination course. But if you live within an hour or so, I would absolutely recommend that you check out the new layout. It's about 1:20 for me to get there, and I'll definitely be going back.