Pros:
+ Lovely quiet park setting.
+ Balance of open and wooded holes that slightly favors wooded.
+ Tee pads on most of the holes are long and wide made of concrete tiles within wood frames.
Cons:
- The tee signs and next hole signs can still be improved.
- Undergrowth below and overgrowth above are just starting to become apparent.
- A few of the fairways are kind of close to one another. (8&9 11&12)
Other Thoughts:
I think that hole3 is the prettiest here because of its combination of open field in the beginning and clump of trees with low-hanging branches at the end. I think that hole7 is the most fun to play because of its low and wide pine tunnel the whole way through. My least favorite here is hole10 because I will always feel uncomfortable teeing off that closely alongside a busy road regardless of the amount of trees in the way.
As for the course as a whole, Bellevue has made good on its efforts to improve, and I will now make good on my vow to award a higher rating. Way back at the end of August 2018, my original review of this course (Please let me know if you are interested in reading it.) was mostly critical but optimistic. I saw the changes they wanted to make and hoped for the best. How did they do?
First off, thank goodness those brick tee pads are gone! These new ones are better in every observable way. There is more than enough room for a long wind-up like mine. They are made of sturdy and reliable material now, and I never slipped once. Two or thee have turf placeholders, but I imagine they will be replaced before too long.
Secondly, all eighteen holes have tee signs now. They are laminated paper fastened to wooden boards or cover up the old fiberglass signs from the old course, but it's a significant step up from three years ago.
Thirdly, the fairways have matured. In the freshly cleared-out areas within the back nine where there were no discernible fairways three years ago, there are now recognizable disc golf holes with young trees and lines to hit!
Now that the design appears to be finalized, I feel like I can appraise it more completely. A few of the holes seem like they have been strong-armed into the layout just to complete the 18-hole circuit. I'm glad that they completely removed that pesky 19th hole and erased the old holes (Were they the old holes5 - 7?) that flew too close to that communal garden, but holes 17 and 18 seemed like afterthoughts to my mind with how brief and simple they are.
The signage, while better than it was, can still benefit from an update. The new next hole arrows that dangle from some baskets and point the way along some paths are definitely helpful, but it would still be easy for players to get lost in some spots. 3 to 4 is the biggest culprit of this. Extra signage couldn't hurt.
But the fairways are better. The tees are better. The signage is, overall, better. As a whole, the course is better. I feel like it has finally filled its footprint. The distances aren't terribly challenging, but Bellevue is more about enjoying a lovely time in the park rather than suffering through a challenge. It is a fun course that doesn't ask too much of the player, but don't let its relative ease fool you into ignoring its features! Bellevue can challenge you with tight lines and hidden baskets- especially within the back nine. To that point, hole12 deserves a special mention. From a mostly open tee area, the player is asked to throw into a veritable wall of trees with a small crack in it. A birdie there certainly feels earned... even if your first throw was completely dumb luck!
There is still a little bit more to do, but it's an overall job well done, Bellevue. Recommeded.