Pros:
Located below The Woodland Park Zoo, Woodland Park is one of if not the oldest courses in the state of Washington. Created as an obstacle course in the 70's, and still used today by locals, it has been modified and developed in to one of the premier tournament layouts our state has to offer during the annual Pretzel Bowl Ice Bowl. Course designers Andrew and Sheila pay homage to the original layout by incorporating some of the original "signature" holes, but then go above and beyond by adding more length, elevation, difficulty, and OB's. In using this layout, it gives the "old school" and "new school" players a chance to reminisce, while also seeing what today's type of disc golfing is all about. It is perfect for everyone!
Woodland Park is just north of downtown Seattle, about 15 minutes off I-5. The park itself is on a large plot of land with undulating hills and a mixture of open fields and tight woods. A walking path meanders throughout the entire course, along with a road and parking lot, and are all used as OB's during the tournament. The designers incorporated elevated tee pads and baskets accordingly, along with the addition of the six par 4's and two par 5's, making the course a par 66. They strategically placed the pins near steep edges, behind unique obstacles and foliage, and on an island. Baskets were all portable since it was a temp course, but were all DISCatcher's, Mach II's, and Mach III's for the most part.
Holes ranged from a 213 foot par 3 to a 772 foot par 5. Holes were well balanced, including several shots off the box and fairways for all style of throwers, showing no bias. Most holes used several of the elements the park had to offer, including elevation, wooded and open fairway apporaches, and OB's. Each hole was unique unto it's own, which is why this course layout is so successful.
Cons:
Natural tee pads and the lack of signage are always tough on a course. Fortunately, this course layout isn't played but a few rounds a year, and during that time the course has temp maps and tee signs. It is just tough if you wanted to play after the tournament or were from out of town. The original obstacle layout could be done though, but again, you must know someone who can show you around. However, if the course was ever made permanent, it would need permanent signage and cement tee pads. Considering what the designers had to work with, they used as much level ground and cement as possible when available.
The only other real issue, although major, has nothing to do with the course itself but rather the city. The city won't let us install a permanent course in Woodland Park, which is a shame, due to the high traffic that comes in and out of there daily. They are concerned about safety which is rightfully so, but are narrow minded when it comes the addition of a course. For years people have been pleading with them for an eighteen hole course but time after time, their ideas just seem to get shot down. There is honestly enough room to create one course, let alone two or three. If made permanent, this course would be one of the best courses in the state, if not the entire Northwest It is that good!
The potential at Woodland Park is endless! It would be a shame to let it sit here all but one weekend a year.
Other Thoughts:
I feel fortunate to have been a part of the Pretzel Bowl for the last two years, and am proud that we do it not only for the love of the game, but for charity. It is so important that we are ambassadors for our sport, and having a chance to play a historic course while in support of the Northwest Harvest Food Bank is quite gratifying. If you ever given the chance to be a part of an Ice Bowl, or even better, Pretzel Bowl, do it!
NOTE:
Pretzel Bowl is named after the designer's dog Pretzel, who is a French Bulldog that has walked over 200+ disc golf courses thus far and knows probably more about the game than most. He is an inspiration to us all, and it is because of him we play!
The park has other amenities including horseshoes, several gazebo's and bbq pits for larger gatherings, bocce ball courts, walking paths, and bathrooms. Within walking distance about 15 minutes is the Rose Garden and Zoo.Close driving distance to Red Mill Burger.