What to Expect: An out of the way, middle of nowhere, likely to hear a banjo, off the beaten path gold mine for disc golf. I tease about the seclusion of this place as you take a ton of skinny two lane roads north west of St Louis into the heart of rolling hills, farm land, gravel roads (seriously), low to no cell service until you arrive upon a massive beautiful wooden entrance gate. You will drive down a small gravel road lined in trees on both sides as your anticipation grows you scan the sides of the road hoping to glimpse a basket or tee but no reprieve. You just keep driving for what seems like forever, and then you crest a small hill and turn slightly to the left around a corner and there it is, in all it's glory. Massive ponds, fountains, waterfalls, the enormous cake hole green, cabins, the massive club house/pro shop, the amazing golf carts, the 4 practice baskets of varying heights, the nature statues, it's almost too much to process as you pull in to park. You'll have to get your heartrate under control and make your way to the pro-shop. Take your time, because it'll be a roller coaster of views, amazing shots shapes, triumphs, and defeats from here on out.
Amenities: The best on course pro shop I have ever experienced. Everything you might need for your disc golf game they have. From multitudes of rare discs bag sealed, to the latest releases of all your favorite brands. Carts, bags, accessories, clothing, hats, range finders, a fully stocked hunting store, used discs section. You could spend hours in there and not get bored. Modern bathrooms inside. Course is pay to play $37 for a round, they have extremely nice golf carts for rent (I suggest you splurge and get one) for $60 but they are worth it. They have radios, speakers, and can connect to the course wifi. There are massive wildlife statues all throughout the property from massive bison, to a giant alligator, to a larger than life anaconda every where you look. Every single hole, including each tee has multiple granite top benches for seating. There is a trainwreck hole that plays down an old train track complete with a full old railroad crossing. (This was a huge plus for me as I work in the railroad safety industry). I'm certain I am missing things, simply because there was too much to take in and process in one play through.
Tees/Signage/Baskets: The absolute most impressive tee pads I have ever played on. "Double" sized tees in three sets (Red shorts, White Intermediate, and Blue Longs) all completely rocked out, built up above the playing surface, complete with granite benches. Every tee pad was maticulously cared for and made to look beautiful. Signage... well, there isn't any. The course forgoes tee signs for the caddy book, and provided wifi on the property. There are 4 pin placements on each hole and they rotate often. (The caddy book which I cover later denotes that days pin location). It was an interesting choice not to liter the course with tee signs, although different, it was actually never an issue. Baskets are new Gateway baskets, blue in color, and each pin location is smartly placed on some form of rock feature, near a huge drop off, close to water, or on tricky slopes, most of which are artificially built and picture worthy on their own. This course also have PVC pipe boundaries to dictate OB (white) and PVC pipe (Red) to denote the spectator walking areas. Normally I would call this a con because it takes away from course beauty, but it really does help shape holes, helps you navigate, and doesn't prove to be as much of an eyesore as you would think.
Design: This course takes zero holes off. Each one is glorious and unique. the change in elevation, the shaped fairways (by using tall grass) on the more open holes, the pin placements, the continuous use of water hazards, the unique shot shapes required, the placement shot par 4's, the island greens, the tight gaps, each hole on it's own could be the signature hole at most home courses. (of note, you won't be massively impressed with Hole #1 at first glance, until you play it, and then you are like, ohhhhhh) and it only progresses from there. This design itself is a 5 star rating (6 if it went that high), but the execution of everything else makes it impossible for me to rate it lower. This is what I will compare courses that have a chance at getting a 5 from me to for the rest of my career.
Practice Area: 4 Gateway baskets spaced well apart and all at varying heights. Large area right next to the parking lot, pro shop, and Hole #1. The best practice putting area I have ever seen. Probably the best driving range I have ever seen as well. How many courses do you know of with a dedicated driving range?
Hype: This course had some huge hype and expectations to live up to, and it somehow exceeded what I expected going in. That says a lot as Idlewild is probably my favorite course and here comes Eagles Crossing forcing me to create two categories (best free to play, best pay to play) in order to show both the love they deserve.
Two Separate 9's: On a beast of a course like this, this course is smartly divided into two separate 9's that bring you back past the pro shop. It allows you to take a breather, use the bathroom, visit your car if needed, restock on supplies, and then get back at it. This is very smart, especially for first timers who may have realized they bit off more than they could chew.
Water: There is water EVERYWHERE on this course. Normally this would be a con for me because of so many lost disc opportunities and forced water carries used to create difficulty. Instead, this course utilizes water features extremely well to outline areas you wouldn't want to miss anyways. They are all built up to look great with fountains, waterfalls, and even a giant carved buddha sitting on an old train tressell overlooking your island green judging your putting form. None of the water features felt forced or out of place or a nuisance. Just spectacular.
Signature Hole: You could make a solid argument for any of them, Trainwreck (Hole #10), Buddha's Perch (Hole #11), will get a lot of well deserved votes. But The Cake Hole (Hole #18) is the more obvious choice. A short but daunting Par 5 with water straight and right off the tee forcing you into a tight tree filled fairway down the left side of the pond. Then you must decided whether or not to throw over the OB through multiple tight small gaps to reach the large island (with another OB pond waiting for you on the right) or pitch up short of the OB. Then you must land on a MASSIVE cake style tiered green (5 tiers tall, 35 feet radius from the center of the pin). I landed on the first tier and had a birdie putt, ran it, caged it, and my heart stopped while I waited for it to settle. lol Luckily it stayed close and I was able to tap in a Par.