Dayton, TN

Bryan College

0.55(based on 1 reviews)
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Cerealman
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 16.4 years 665 played 192 reviews
0.50 star(s)

Wrecked and wretched 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:May 2, 2021 Played the course:once

Pros:

In 1930, Bryan College, named after American orator William Jennings Bryan, was established in Dayton, Tenn. While the original institution is more than 90 years old, the disc golf baskets - and consequently - the course almost appear to predate the college.

I found seven baskets on the campus, which exceeded the number that previous explorers indicated spotting on their visit here. According to info on a Bryan College intramurals-related website from a few years ago, there are, or maybe more accurately, were, nine baskets. To view those incomplete clues for the frustrating treasure hunt, search for "bryan college intramural disc golf" and good luck.

Despite the abysmal condition of the baskets, they seemed to catch decently. My 40-foot putt on Hole #5 stuck like glue.

The design aspect of the course with the presumed tee areas is adequate. Hole #1 utilizes the side of a hill well, and there's some elevation on most of the holes. Hole #7 is a short, up-the-hill toss with a finish slightly into the woods on the left, while Hole #8 requires hitting the gap between wooded areas and then making a steep turn to the right. Hole #9 is a lovely finishing hole with a gradual decline across the well-manicured lawn leading to a basket positioned under a monstrous oak tree.

The scenery is above average. While the disc golf course doesn't reside in the most picturesque portion of the college, the small-town campus is perched on a hilltop and nestled next to the foothills of the Smoky Mountains.

Cons:

To date, I have played 336 disc golf courses, and the Bryan College offering is a strong candidate to be ranked No. 336.

When you spend at least 45 minutes doing reconnaissance work to find baskets and choose tee areas, you know it's a bad course. By the way, the map that I created and added to DGCR combined the bits of info I found online with my educated guesses on where the tee areas are (or should be).

The baskets and their placements are dreadful. Only Holes #1, 2 and 4 are marked with a number on top. Most of the baskets feature bent cages, moderate rust and a single row of chains. In addition, Hole #2 is just a few feet from trees; Hole #4 is crammed next to overgrowing bushes with weeds poking through the cage; and Hole #7 is a couple paces away from briars and more out-of-control bushes.

Except for a couple of semi-worn dirt spots in the lawn, there are no hints as to the location of the tee areas. That makes sense because I have no idea when someone last played this course. I added it to DGCR and the most recent round indicated on UDisc was from September 2019.

I couldn't find Holes #3 and #6. If you look at the map, it seems obvious where those holes would go, but I'm not sure they exist anymore.

Hole #9 is the farthest hole from the beginning, so you'll walk a few minutes to get back to the beginning. Also, using the parking lot just below Hole #2 seems most ideal, but that means the starting hole is at least 500 feet away.

Other Thoughts:

I had played a couple rounds at the closest course - Decatur Park, about 20 minutes away - and was curious if this course still existed.

What I found on my adventure was a course on its deathbed. I was thrilled and surprised to find seven of the nine original baskets. (And if you know where Holes #3 and #6 are, I hope you'll update the site.)

Unless you're a masochistic course bagger like myself, there are no disc golf-related reasons to come here.
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