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DeSales University Disc Golf - Ace Eight reviews
19
0
A Reverse Mullet
Reviewed:
Played on:Sep 28, 2023
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Two very different nines: the front is mostly open for scoring, and the back is all business
DeSales rebuilt its 18 hole layout several years ago, with a design by Jerome von Mechow. The original design was the work of some students who placed baskets around the campus, and it took off from there. The old rubber tees are long gone; only one or two of the original holes remain (though they play in the opposite direction now); new paver tees, excellent signage, new DisCatchers
DeSales administration wanted to keep part of the course in the heart of the campus (so the front nine is a "campus tour"), von Mechow was given the green light to use nearby woods to go crazy with the back nine. As a result, the front nine is welcoming, largely open, and beginner-friendly. Hole #10 leads you into a gauntlet of thick woods, elevation change, deep rough, narrow lines, and doglegs in both directions. I played with a newbie recently, and could only warn him: "O.K., now you'll see what this game is REALLY about."
Although the front is mostly open, there's enough distance and a few challenges to keep it from being a cakewalk. The best of the holes are 3 - 5, with some trees creating gaps, and some elevation to consider. The back nine is excellent: each hole has a specific technical challenge, and the required shots alternate so quickly that they can keep you off balance: doglegs, alleys, uphills, downhills. Plus, good use of natural elements, like the low rock wall guarding the 10th green, and the boulder placement of the 14th basket
DeSales rebuilt its 18 hole layout several years ago, with a design by Jerome von Mechow. The original design was the work of some students who placed baskets around the campus, and it took off from there. The old rubber tees are long gone; only one or two of the original holes remain (though they play in the opposite direction now); new paver tees, excellent signage, new DisCatchers
DeSales administration wanted to keep part of the course in the heart of the campus (so the front nine is a "campus tour"), von Mechow was given the green light to use nearby woods to go crazy with the back nine. As a result, the front nine is welcoming, largely open, and beginner-friendly. Hole #10 leads you into a gauntlet of thick woods, elevation change, deep rough, narrow lines, and doglegs in both directions. I played with a newbie recently, and could only warn him: "O.K., now you'll see what this game is REALLY about."
Although the front is mostly open, there's enough distance and a few challenges to keep it from being a cakewalk. The best of the holes are 3 - 5, with some trees creating gaps, and some elevation to consider. The back nine is excellent: each hole has a specific technical challenge, and the required shots alternate so quickly that they can keep you off balance: doglegs, alleys, uphills, downhills. Plus, good use of natural elements, like the low rock wall guarding the 10th green, and the boulder placement of the 14th basket
Cons:
The rough on the back nine is very deep and allowed to grow wild through the season. It's easy to lose track of offline discs, especially on 10 - 12. If you're off the fairway, you'll be knee- or hip-deep in grasses and weeds in some places. A spotter would help, and if you're playing alone, you might want to schedule you play for winter / early spring months
Other Thoughts:
~ The otherwise excellent signage (designed and printed by campus staff) is missing the elevation change on many teesigns. Not a big deal, but there's a spot on every sign for it, and most of them are blank. But honestly, these are some of the best signs I've ever seen. DeSales could go into a side business making them for other courses
~ Hole #18 is a devilish narrow 245' downhill. It's steep and bordered on both sides by woods, and there's OB behind the basket. It's a good hole, and a very good challenge, but short for the closing hole for a round.
~ There's a complete practice hole near the first tee. It's a 196' 4" open hole. That's a sly reference to 1964, the year DeSales University was founded
Finally, there's an extra sign at the ninth tee, the hole nearest to several dorms. My family donated funds to the course as a small gesture in memory of someone who left us way too soon. Drug addiction and death by overdose is very real, and it's all around us. Reach out. Make a difference. Don't let go.
~ Hole #18 is a devilish narrow 245' downhill. It's steep and bordered on both sides by woods, and there's OB behind the basket. It's a good hole, and a very good challenge, but short for the closing hole for a round.
~ There's a complete practice hole near the first tee. It's a 196' 4" open hole. That's a sly reference to 1964, the year DeSales University was founded
Finally, there's an extra sign at the ninth tee, the hole nearest to several dorms. My family donated funds to the course as a small gesture in memory of someone who left us way too soon. Drug addiction and death by overdose is very real, and it's all around us. Reach out. Make a difference. Don't let go.
