Update/Edit - Over the last year, work to install the initial layout at Bittner Park DGC (aka Rick B. Maynard Course) was completed. The short-short layout is a par 56 with two par 4s, and an overall intended skill level of red/white. However, several holes will challenge blue level players with their length and/or shot shape. Tees consist of 4' x 8' turf and baskets are Innova DisCatcher Pro 28s. Trails have been carved out between holes, and a new bridge installed over the creek between holes 10 and 11. The course is being played daily by golfers living all along the Connecticut Shoreline, and the word of mouth is overwhelmingly positive.

Meanwhile, my personal vision for hole expansion is currently underway. Every hole will have at least one alternate tee location and one alternate basket location. I envision these layouts being appropriate for various skill levels. The short-short will be red/white, the short-long and long-short will be white/blue, and the long-long will be gold. The pars will be 56, 60, 64, 68, with numerous par 4s and par 5s. For the time being, tees for these long holes will remain dirt but will be raked and leveled. Basket sleeves will be installed at each long pin position, and the plan is to use the long positions for tournaments and eventually install a full set of alternates.

As of the end of this week (January 27-31, 2020), holes 10-18 will have been fully carved and "playable." Pars are as follows (short-short, long-short, short-long, long-long):

Hole 1 - Par 3 / 4 / 3 / 4
Hole 2 - Par 3 / 4 / 4 / 5
Hole 3 - Par 3 / 3 / 3 / 3
Hole 4 - Par 3 / 3 / 4 / 4
Hole 5 - Par 3 / 3 / 4 / 4
Hole 6 - Par 3 / 3 / 4 / 4
Hole 7 - Par 3 / 3 / 3 / 3
Hole 8 - Par 3 / 3 / 4 / 4
Hole 9 - Par 3 / 3 / 3 / 4
Front Nine Total Pars - 27 / 29 / 32 / 35
Hole 10 - Par 3 / 3 / 3 / 3
Hole 11 - Par 3 / 3 / 3 / 3
Hole 12 - Par 3 / 4 / 4 / 5
Hole 13 - Par 4 / 4 / 5 / 5
Hole 14 - Par 3 / 4 / 3 / 4
Hole 15 - Par 3 / 3 / 3 / 3
Hole 16 - Par 3 / 3 / 4 / 4
Hole 17 - Par 4 / 4 / 5 / 5
Hole 18 - Par 3 / 3 / 3 / 3
Back Nine Total Pars - 27 / 31 / 33 / 35
Full 18 Total Pars - 54 / 60 / 65 / 70
Hole lengths have not yet been finalized but will be listed once tees and basket sleeve locations are installed.

Work on the front nine is anticipated to continue through the winter months, and will hopefully be completed in early spring 2020. Throughout the process, holes will be finalized and cut material will be cleared.

The design of Bittner Park has had to meet several concerns of the Town of Guilford. As the park has an extensive trail system, with just a few exceptions, no holes were allowed to be located on or across any existing major trails. Of note, two "spur" trails have been closed, and one "connector" trail will have a portion relocated to avoid conflict with the extension of Hole 12.

Additionally, the Wetlands Commission restricted tree cutting to those that were 8" in diameter or less, not allowing fairways to cross over any mapped wetlands or streams, or allowing any vegetation removal within 25' of a flagged wetlands area.

In general, these limitations did not hamper the design, and in fact identified several major "zones" dictating where the holes would need to be located. Each hole was designed to maximize playability and fun for the intended skill level through careful tree removal and tee/basket placement.