Pros:
I've been playing this course for 10 years and for most of the previous 9 I would have rather played a sand-spur laden course barefoot than play Owens. During this time the course had some of the ugliest holes on the planet. The loose-sand tee pads and tight claustrophobic, unsightly holes was just not my cup of tea. But now, a decade later and a ton of work has turned this quite ugly duckling into something more palatable. Maybe not a swan, but it's getting there.
By the replacement of hole #18 & #2 (ugly enough to be featured in a Saw Movie) this began a needed healing process. #2 is now an attractive fairway, and #18 has been bulldozed (yah!) and positioned elsewhere.
The fairways have been nudged wider (locals will barely let you remove a limb) and some holes slightly tweaked. With the additional of real tee pads (some concrete, some...not sure what they are) the slipping/sliding when you plant is a thing of the past; the tees a thing of relative beauty.
But not all was non-appetizing with Owen's in the early years. There are dual tees on most holes. The Long (or Black tees) is very challenging. The Short (or Red tees) is a birdie fest. I always found the back 8 (there's a soccer field that splits the course) were more open and forgiving, while the front 10 much more tight and demanding. And with the additional of solid tees the course has gone from a 'I'd rather listen to politicians babble than go play Owen's' to, 'Y'know, this place is alright. Doubt it will ever be 4-stars, but definitely a solid 3.5
#1 - if not familiar with the course, can be a devil to find. You'd think it would be obvious, but it's tucked back in a corner away from the skate bark and all places you would see.
The navigation - for a while - is straight forward.
#2 is a really pretty anyhyzer/forehand tunnel shot
#3 is a stupid tight, pitch your putter up to the short tee and reset. Not a fan at all from the long.
#4 is super tight,narrow ace-run shot. But hit anything and you're fighting for par
#5 a par-4 placement shot. throw 300', land a the base of the hill, then pick a narrow line to the basket.
#6-7 are just continuations of the same narrowing fairway, with #7 being a cool hanging basket on a tiiiiightening 5' wide fairway
#8 is a wicked tough 3 that I totally dig. Throw a tough s-turn shot to line up for a run at the basket
#9 is rather pedestrian. Throw over a small ridge to a basket either right, left or long center. The ridge is like the one on #2 which I wish they would flatten. doesn't affect the flight, just gets in your head.
#10 is the first GRIP AND RIP, easy par 4, tough 3
#11 just a loooong flat anyhyzer shot
#12 straight out from the longs, From the short tee is a cool long, high anyhzer shot
#13 will test you...350' straaaaaight tunnel shot Go for broke and it can eat you
#14 is another great grip and rip. After your drive have to finesse your shot to the basket either hidden right or left
#15 currently a boring flat hzyer shot. When they remove mount Vesuvius off the old fairway, it will be better.
#16 has been cleaned up a ton, but still just another long, flat hyzer shot to the basket
#17 a much shorter version of #13. Simple toss for birdie
#18 kind of a filler hole. Just throw 300' to a basket straight out on a ridge. Either long slow fade, or slight anhyzer over a ball field
Cons:
Navigation from #7 to #8 and #16 to #17 can be confusing. Finding #18, if you've never been there, you'll spend an hour walking and trying to find it. (hole is to the right and around the ball field.
You will also have to be on constant lookout for walkers, bike riders, soccer players etc. They will act like you are in THEIR way at times
Other Thoughts:
Course is so much better than it ever has been. There are die-hard Owen's fans that will say it has always been great! With all the small issues it has going on, will probably never be rated excellent, but it is now pretty dang good.