Pros:
(1.312 Rating) A compact lightly wooded ace race course.
- BASKETS - It's a bad sign when I start off a review Pro-ing the chains first. Amen to DISCatchers. There are aging a bit, but they are 99 times better than the alien looking things at nearby Lake Stevens.
- ACE RUNS - As noted in the review title, there's an 84 foot long ace run here on hole (6). It appears the locals are stacking small branches to reduce parts of the plausible angles to hit it a bit. There are other easy gets on a half dozen other holes and there are only nine holes. Holes (8) and (9) are blind and thus a bit trickier. Players throwing here regularly are likely racking up multiple aces a year and the ace factor here is probably 10 times greater than the typical course.
- BEGINNER FRIENDLY - Ideal for new players, families and for those that don't care to improve.
- QUICK PLAY - I played all 9 holes in 13 minutes!
Cons:
Way too short
- LACK OF CHALLENGE - This course was far too cupcake for me. Most MA3s and better that I know, would only play here if they lived in the neighborhood and wanted to take some new players out for a round. With the exception of the last two holes, I found the other seven to be just plain blah. Even par likely wouldn't even draw an 800 rated round. I threw 5 down and came away feeling disappointed.
- HOLE VARIETY - For a super short course in a confined area, the variety is about as good as it could be. There are a few trees to miss and the little elevation that is here, is used. No water and all par 3s of course. Hole distance variation is 200ish to sub 100 feet long.
- SPACING - When I got to tee (1), I noticed that basket (8) was along the right side of the fairway 30 feet in front of the tee. I've got to believe that that has been black aced many times. Several other tee and basket locations feel like they are on top of each other. I would not want to be here if multiple groups were playing.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - Meh. I scored this aspect 30 percentile. There are some massive Douglas Firs here, but that aspect was also present at 10 of the 11 Seattle metro courses I've played. The course is surrounded by a chain link fence on 3 sides to separate it from residential areas.
- NAVIGATION AND SIGNAGE - No course map posted and no tee signs. The only number markings I recall, was the imprinted number on the poured concrete tee edge/tripping line. All that stated, the course is so short and compact, that everyone will figure it out quick.
- AMENITIES - The tees are natural and rutted. No benches or any other course related extras. There are picnic areas in the park and a restroom building in a different section of the park, but not too far away.
Other Thoughts:
Ferguson to me, is a barely passable course. It has the essentials of a numbered layout to follow, tees and baskets, but it's so bland overall, that I don't think it's going to appeal to player's that can chuck over 250 feet. However, I could see beginners and local MA4s coming here for the ease of play and to hunt for aces. Families with small kids may also enjoy the course. For those outside the area, this is a numbers padding course only. It reminds me of courses like Peace Community Church in Bradenton FL, TC High School in Traverse City MI, Dublin Park in Huntsville AL, Spassland in Milwaukee WI and Sarah Moore Greene in Knoxville TN. Most people reading these examples likely won't recognize any of them. That's because they are all lightly wooded super short beginner courses that fall far short on mass appeal.