Pros:
-Baskets good
-Map / tee signage excellent
-Makes decent use of area given
-Stays away from other park activities
-Parks with excellent upkeep
-Quick play
Cons:
-A jump in the middle, 1-6 in one park, 7-9 in another across town
-Natural tees
-Minimal elevation and foliage to work around
Other Thoughts:
Minerva Creek DGC plays in two city parks in the small town of Zearing, IA. Directions in the description get you to the larger of the parks where play starts with 1-6. Signage near the first tee has a full map of both of parts of the course and where to find the other park in town. From the previous description, these parks must have lost a number of trees in the 2020 derecho. These have been cleaned up and the parks are in great shape, but it has opened up the course. Play is typical for a park course, mostly open lines, the creek comes into play on #1 and #5 behind those baskets and playing over the creek on #6. #6 is the longest at 233, so a relatively short course. #7-9 play in the second park with the only real danger being a field (corn or soybeans, I'm guessing, depending on the year) to the left of #8. The 2 sections knocks it for me a bit. Especially with the last 3 holes being pretty pedestrian. I could see 2 to 3 holes in the main park that would fit into the same mold as the others without getting too close to the playground or other activities. Add some concrete tees to add to the rating, too. An OK course to bag, work on short game skills, or teach newbies. Mix it in with Jacobson Bear Creek and/or Story City to make more of a day of it. I might play here again.