Hall of Famer Fred Salaz shows here how to do a wonderful conversion of an abandoned, urban parks, nine hole ball golf course into 18 fun holes of disc golf. Given the relatively open spaces but rolling knolls and old greens and sand traps, he chose a lot of basket positions for their rollaway potential, and used the existing trees to define lines really well. There are four holes with really nasty drop-offs beyond (1 & 5) or to the left (12 & 13), six where elevation really comes into play (1, 2, 5, 6, 11 & 15), and even a stretch of holes (12 through 16) where accuracy off the tee is demanded, not just advisable. The 18+1 new DiscCatcher baskets have two pin positions available per hole, and there are two tees on holes 1, 13, 15, 16 & 17, and three on holes 9 and 18 for the big arms to air it out. So there will be something for pretty much all amateur divisions (though the course likely won't be too overly taxing on most Open level players).
Initially using recycled driving range tee mats (essentially Astroturf), there is good footing and excellent signage (including the nice indicators for pin position) throughout. All the Blue tees are in place, and the alternate tee mats are going in. The course map kiosk and adequate parking is at the top of the park drive by the practice basket and a porta-potty (in season). There are trash cans where needed, and benches remain by tees 2 and 12 (Fred does not plan to add more, because they're really not needed on this shorter, efficient course, they promote erosion, and add to maintenance). In fact, the parks district welcomed the course as well as it did due to the savings on the cost of maintenance: in the summer, only fairways and paths are mown, with the grasses in the rough being allowed to grow as incentive for you to keep your shots under control. It plays much more 'wide open' in the cooler months, if you prefer it more open. Similar courses in the area: William Harbin and Heritage Park. The course flows well, looping back near the lot on holes 2, 4, and 18. The summer mown paths are even marked for clarity when other tees are in view. The rest of the park has an arts center, playgrounds, fields, and even a huge, modern water park.
As far as the disc golf play goes, the course starts out with a bang: a downhill shot that best sweeps right to left, and hopefully dives in on the plateau WITH the basket, and not WAY down the drop-off slope beyond. Other 'feature' holes, to me, include the beautiful downhill, left to right shot on 15 long, then 16, which tees out through pairs of double mando trees and across the valley. That one is bound to get a nickname, sooner or later! In all, Dunham is a nice addition to the other dozen (+) quality, full size courses in the Cincinnati area.