- Variation of hole types: Open and Wooded, Creek crossings, Treeline routes.
- Solid challenge for Intermediates (Par 3: 160' to 400').

- Needs some TLC. (#6 with a weed wacker).
- Not clear on some Tee locations (#3, and #6).
- No Par 4's, but I can see why.

Don't let this little gem fade!

First, understand that this course redesign is mine, so if bias appears here, take it with a grain of salt.

The new AmShank (Amelia village, Spencer Shank Park) layout creates a fresh disc golf experience for an old, stale, somewhat bland niner in a small neighborhood park. Where there had been relatively open holes all under 300', and even a missing tee that wound up with folks throwing through a grove of trees at the park shelter, we now have variety and a safer play, using the existing Chainstar baskets, and inexpensive (temporary) 'chime poles' in several of the alternate positions. Current temporary signage are easily visible for the red (recreational) and white (intermediate) tees, with each laminated sign showing hole layout and all distances. Tees are currently marked by two stone pavers inset at ground level.

The course features two tees for all but hole six and two basket positions for all but hole three. Distances range from 150-400' and incorporate four wooded holes, three open, one 'edged' and one 'guarded green' hole. There is elevation now in play on four holes, where the old design really only had a couple. The 'signature' hole is probably White Seven (come check it out!)

Opening with the 'Hoopside' hole 1 (adjacent to the basketball court), beginners are encouraged to throw from the red tee into the corner of the clearing (and the old 8th basket), or as much as 400' along the woodline, deep into the pocket for the long position under a beautiful old tree, with a ravine right and a creek long. Turn left to play hole 2 (the 'Tunnel') to one of two basket positions now safely adjacent to the shelter, then on to hole 3 ('Shortie'), with its basket position upslope at the edge of the bowl: aceable, but risky when the field grasses are high.

The park has a football field sized rainwater collection bowl where nature is preserved, which makes for a hole 4 'Bowl Game' challenge for big arms to throw about 390' diagonally to the basket(s) (short pin will be where the old tee post sits), or shorten the throw left toward the soccer field above, while rec players can use the shorter tee alongside the slope. Then the course gets interesting, throwing hole 5 ('Bridger') through the woods, across the creek to the baskets on the other side (this is the one spot where we have to rely on maturity in the players to be sure the fairway is clear before throwing: the white tee especially). Hole 6 ('TwoFer') uses a single tee and two permanent pin positions (currently chime poles until we can get baskets placed): red to a spot just before the creek, and white to a wooded landing zone way up the slope beyond the creek. We're working on improving that creek crossing and the hill climb, because the payoff is huge...

On hole 7 '(Happy) Landings', where the white tee looks down the slope, through the woods, to terraces by the creek bed in the corner of the park, with two interesting basket positions. Red 7 throws a rhbh hyzer to the corner without the necessity of crossing the creek, so if it's wet or muddy, you might choose to simply play red. Hole 8 ('MidGuard') has two tees to the small cluster of trees guarding the short basket, with the long intended to go at the old tee post beyond. Finally, Hole 9 ('Sycamores') red utilizes the same tee pad as 6 to the last basket near the parking lot, while white adds a challenge of throwing from the woodline around the Sycamores edging the open.

In all, the course now presents a huge amount of variety (in a small package) for the casual to Intermediate disc golfer, with lines of flight and skill sets to include control all the way to grip it and rip it.

The park is relatively small, so there really wasn't too much opportunity to expand the course to 18, as some had hoped (unless we simply threw out in the open fields, interfering with the other uses of the park). With possible park upgrades (extending the walking path to complete the loop, additional parking, a possible amphitheater, a dog park relocation and perhaps a permanent restroom facility to replace the porta-potty), changing the disc golf design to a '2x2x9' seemed the better option. There is one hole (#3) with only one basket location, and there is a multiple use tee location (#6 red, #6 white, and #9 red), so if the course is full, you'll need to take turns and get to know each other for a moment.

Safety: I do have concerns about hole 5 throwing near the footbridge for either tee, and across the paved path for the white tee. Signage has been installed, but throwers will always be responsible for safely throwing this hole. It would only take one bad incident to have the course pulled. The other spot with a possible 'civilian' conflict might be in the long position on hole 1, if kids cut through the ravine and angle from the creek to the shelter. Keep an eye out, please. Finally, even though there has been signage out there for months now, there may still be people playing the 'old' layout, so be patient if you see folks coming from the opposite direction.

Temp equipment: Though the course is completely playable right now, there are only turf tees marked by paver front edge corners, temporary signage, and we have some places where pvc and aluminum blind slat 'chime poles' will be in play until we can get new baskets (especially needed for the two permanent positions on hole 6). Please see below for plans. The wooded fairways on 2, 5, 6 & 7 are 'first cut' cleared, and being 'groomed', so watch your step until things are finalized. And use care and caution crossing the creek and traversing the slopes if you're playing the white tees on 6 & 7.

Here's the story: the Spencer Shank Park nine hole course in Amelia, Ohio was installed a couple of decades ago, and never really supported by the village the way the original designers had hoped, and then the village of Amelia itself was eventually dissolved. When my buddy Troy moved to a house two minutes from this course, we reached out to Pierce Township Park Department to see if we could help. They enthusiastically supported our ideas for a voluntary redesign. I collaborated with their team and the park master plan, and even met with the father of the Eagle Scout who was installing the new creek-crossing footbridge, to make sure our course redesign would focus on safety, fun, and new challenges (in that order).

I'd chatted with several of the players who still frequented the course, and became inspired by the ideas I'd heard from folks who had played 'safari' golf here, inventing different lines with the existing baskets, since the old tee posts were rotting, and there were never official tees installed. Studying the lay of the land, maps of the park, and knowing the woods were underutilized, I realized that by reversing the course flow (and spending a month or two clearing some of the underbrush and honeysuckle), we could have a new course flow that would significantly improve the disc experience here, and not cost an arm and a leg to put in place.

During 2022, the goal will be to have folks play the current design to eight of the nine original baskets, try out the alternate basket locations using the chime poles, and hopefully give constructive feedback. Then we'll need to fundraise to relocate one old basket and put in new sleeves (or, ideally, alternate baskets!), and finalize and pour concrete tees. Once the 'final' layout is set, it'll be time to install permanent signage (...maintain the course...) and enjoy!