Pros:
Ottawa is one of 2 parks within 20 miles of each other , in the same state ,( with the only difference being that this one has Memorial in it ), and both having an 18 hole disc golf course . This Ottawa is in a multi use park with a nice swimming pool ( in use when I was there ) close to the start and finish of the course . A bathroom at the pool is open when the pool is . Plenty of parking , but a good walk to the first tee .
The Equipment : There is a kiosk next to the woods near the swimming pool . It is fading and the map on it is hard to read any more . The signs are okay , giving the usual information needed and a diagram of the hole . All of the tee pads are cement , about 3 1/2 X 8' . The yellow banded Discatcher baskets are starting to rust and have seen better days . The first hole is through a path in the woods and on your immediate left .
The Landscape : There isn't much in the way of elevation in this park , but Course Designers Brian and Tim Fruchey used all of the lightly rolling hills here . There is a larger and small creek in play . The larger is still small and clean enough to grab your disc if you don't mind getting wet . Most of the holes are park style and weave around the park , while, several of the early holes ( 2-6 ) are in the woods . There are great uses of the mature trees and their canopies on the course .There is a nice bridge that you will cross at least twice during your round ( 3-4 and 8-9 ) The park was mowed and well taken care of when I was there .
The Highlights : I think that Hole #1 would have been the star of this show , but a large downed part of a tree blocked the whole fairway about midway through . I had to skip it . #3 was an interesting hole . About 150' through a tight fairway with the creek in play on the right , it doglegs at a 90 degree angle and out of the woods into the open where the basket is . You have to be precise and have guts not to play station to station on this hole . #5 is a long fairway with a hill in play on the left and the creek on the right . #11 is a 414' hole with a tiny creek running in the fairway . Mature trees and their canopies force your drive to remain low .
Signature Hole : #16 , 421' . The longest hole on the course , it is an elevated tee shot down into a narrow fairway with the tiny creek on the left and a hill on the right . mature trees form a canopy forcing your drive low , or a roller . The basket eventually sits on top of the ridge on the right .
The Time : It took me an hour to play here . A group of 4 shouldn't take but 2 hours .
Disc Risk : Low , if the water level in the creek stays low , even though there are a few blind shots , there is little overgrowth to have to search your disc in . The holes are short , which means ricochets aren't going to impact losing discs as much .
It is a nice well used park with a fun vibe to it's disc golf course . There is plenty of variety here to keep both the left and the right hand players happy .
Cons:
#1 Safety . Some of the fairways run parallel to each other , and some blind shots could cause both a player and a park user to get " the plastic surprise " . This is not the type of course to use stealth in order to sneak in a round . Make your presence known and keep alert . The course plays too close to the pool , the tennis courts , and especially some tables and benches from 11-15 . .
#2 Navigation . A 2007 course with no online map ? Someone is napping . The kiosk is unreadable . . At the bottom of the hill on #1 , make sure you go left . After 3 , go over the bridge to the hole on the right . #8 finishes next to the tennis court . Now you have to cut left , find the secret path that takes you to the bridge you cross . The hole will be on the right Long walk - tough find . The tee for #18 is close to the parking lot end of the pool . This course needs Next Tee signs bad .
Lack of length/Challenge . The course really lacks a true par 4 , and the only 2 holes to break the 400' barrier are 421' and 417' . The course is short at 4724' and some of the holes are birdie or ace runs ( 4,7 & 8 on the first 9 ) .
Equipment : Repainting the kiosk would be a good start . Maybe inserting new chains in the baskets .
I saw no trash receptacles here. Carry out what you carry in,
Clearing the fairway on #1 will help .
Other Thoughts:
This course gives you what it has . Not a great amount of room , but still 18 holes of disc golf . The park is not unique , but it is a pretty nice walk in spots . I had fun here . Being a Monday early evening , I didn't get to see how crowded this park can be .
Just a few touch-ups and this course would qualify for a 3 for sure . Please add an online map to help the non local players .
My Recommendation : The course is clear of most overgrowth after hole #1 . That means that this course is good for the newbie , a family , or even a date & The 1 discer . Intermediates might be okay with it , but good ams or pros will likely not . It is a little off the path for a traveler , but an okay add for the Course Collector .
This course is okay . If you are around Ottawa and have your discs with you , have some fun with this course .