Pros:
What I personally like and how this course stacks up in my list of 18 hole courses (over 180 played):
1) Holes with good risk/reward. Fair, but harsh punishment for bad decisions or execution. == C-
(This is the weakness of this course. There are a lot of open holes (ways too many), but the few wooded holes on the back 9 are really cool both in aesthetics and in challenge/choices posed. The terrain around the basket on a couple of holes that are at max D for me accentuate error and therefore place a premium on accuracy.)
2) Holes that have rewarding birdie opportunities for me (I rate only from the long tees). I'm a Blue level player (950ish skill) who throws 300' accurately, 360' max. == A
(This is where this course shines for me. Despite the openness, the effective length of the vast majority of the holes are the perfect challenge and offer the perfect buzzz for carding a deuce. This frustratingly fun challenge is a huge part of what draws me back to this course so strongly.)
3) More wooded than open - lots of variety of shots required caused by hole shape and topography == B
(Although this course is not a wooded course, the combination of how the woods and the terrain is used makes things more interesting than otherwise. "On paper" this is a boring course, but in real life there is just something about it that I like.....from the touchy uphill #1, to the quirky downhill bending shot on #3, to the downhill bomber on #7, to the guardian trees on 12 & 13, to the fun and touchy downhill 14, and finally the finicky #15 with a creek right behind the basket, there are actually a bunch of design features to mess with your head.)
4) Natural beauty (Appalachian beauty preferred) and seclusion. == B
(With the way the terrain seems to block out the road on 5-9, this course feels more secluded than it actually is. I really liked the views down over the prairie towards the grove of trees that the stream meanders through. It is a pity that more of the holes are not amongst those trees though. The sort of beauty at Indian Creek is not really my bag, but I cannot deny that this is a beautiful course in its own way.)
5) Bonus points for multi-throw holes with defined landing zones, good risk/reward and multiple options to play them. == NA (0 bonus points for this)