Pros:
The challenges on this charming course are varied and enjoyable.
+ challenging obstacles on every hole
+ great use of terrain and available land
+ good mix of hyzer/anhyzer shots and wooded/open holes
+ tee signs that include length and hole illustrations
+ welcome sign that includes course map
+ benches on most holes
Cons:
So many holes tucked back into trees create poor navigation and sight lines.
- confusing layout to navigate without a map
- half the course features blind tee shots
- thick foliage makes discs thrown outside fairways hard to find
- (minor concern) uneven, rocky ground in several areas
Other Thoughts:
INFO
This course a.k.a. Cat Hollow encompasses Liberty Walk Greenbelt diagonally across Liberty Way Dr. from Cat Hollow Park, hence its alias name. Hole layout generally rings the greenbelt in a counterclockwise direction with a few holes crisscrossing the park's open green space at times. Cedar trees and thick foliage feature prominently as obstacles with additional challenges from elevation changes and multiple berms in the park, one of which is used to provide an elevated tee shot on hole #11.
EVAL
I am charmed by this neighborhood course packed with numerous challenges, including the challenge of navigating its layout. The course would benefit from helpful signs to direct traffic since there are several, confusing walks between holes that cross other fairways, greens and/or tee areas; including the walk to the first hole from the parking lot that crosses #17's green.
The park lies sandwiched between houses and streets on a spacious greenbelt, and the course makes the most of the available land by alternately skirting around the wooded edges or throwing back and forth across its middle green space. Holes are cleverly arranged to take advantage of the topography, constantly ducking in and out of trees on most every hole. Ten of the eighteen holes measure under 250 feet in length, but a variety of obstacles ensure these are not simple holes to throw. Such obstacles include punishing rough, narrow fairways, plenty of trees to shape shots around, berms to add vertical challenges and ubiquitous blind shots. The course abounds in blind shots off the tee which may be an additional challenge when playing for the first time. The course's four longest holes are fairly open with wide fairways, testing players' distance throwing with a few elevation changes to consider as well. So there are at least a few reasons to grip it and rip it beyond more frequently warranted controlled throws on this course.
My favorite holes are #8 and #17. Hole #8 winds through an inviting yet threatening fairway that gently slopes down through a short, tree-lined tunnel shot towards a green that seems just beyond reach. Hole #17 throws out of the woods parallel to a casual creek ready to accept discs that sail or slide too far left on the way to a castle green defended from approaching projectiles by an outer ward of trees and a steep-banked, moat-like ditch. The thoughtful design of holes like this is appreciated for stimulating exciting and memorable throws. Finishing hole #18 exemplifies this, too, by placing the green easily within reach off the tee but then guarding it with numerous nuisance trees to prohibit ingress by drives from multiple angles. It's the incorporation of such details which makes courses like this so much fun, and occasionally so very frustrating, to play. The challenges around this course have me thinking about how to approach them differently next time, and spur anticipation for when that time might come.
NOTE
I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge that during my round I met several disc golfers who were most helpful and friendly, assisting me to find my way. From what I understand, my experience is not unique either. There's a thriving and supportive community at this course who are very welcoming to visitors like myself. That's always appreciated and encouraged to help grow the sport.
LAYOUT
(From the parking lot walk alongside the road past #17's green to reach #1's tee in the corner of the park.) The course begins with a blind, dogleg bordered by trees and thick foliage which is a typical description for many holes on this course. After that short opener into woods, hole #2 exits the trees for a large clearing and visible basket just on the other side of a small berm. Holes #3 & 4 zigzag across the wide and mostly open green space that runs the length of the course; imposing trees guard a left side approach on #3 and another berm hides the basket from view off the tee on #4. (Walk past #13's tee and #12's green on the right to reach #5's tee just inside the woods.) Hole #5, the longest of the course, starts as another blind dogleg shot leading to an open fairway and green off in the distance. The next four finesse holes cut through a very rocky and wooded corner of the course; holes #6-7 & #9 are short, but hole #8 requires a long throw down a curved and sloping fairway to a hidden green just beyond the shade of trees.
Heading towards the turn to play back along the other side of the park, hole #10 throws down a generous fairway to a basket perched on the side of a third berm. Atop that berm, hole #11 throws down from an elevated tee around an imposing tree to open green space below. The next two holes cross back and forth over the middle green space: hole #12's green is barely visible with its basket tucked just inside the trees while hole #13's green is buttressed by a backdrop of trees. Holes #14-16 feature more of those familiar short, blind tee shots: #14-15 throw around or over trees to open greens and #16 throws through tight trees and thick foliage. (Walk past #14's tee and #3's green to reach #15's tee on the right. Cross the berm after hole #15 to reach #16's tee.) Hole #17 plays out from woods and follows a creek alongside the left fairway to a protected green by the parking lot, and then hole #18 provides one last short, blind dogleg to a green crowded with small trees.