Pros:
One in our group said this was a design Dave Mac could add to his crown, a la Centralia. I haven't played Centralia yet, but regardless, i have to agree anyway; this course ROCKS!
Variety is covered. Long, short, hyzer, anny, straight, flex, flip, water, low ceiling, high ceiling, into woods, out of woods; your complete game is required.
Gnarly fairways and pins abound. Do NOT enter this course expecting to make par.
Even the easy shots here are hard compared to most of the St. Louis courses.
Nice flat concrete pads, tee signs are good (although they lack maps for the blind pins), directionals in between are great. Even though my group had a guide, navigation would have been pretty easy without.
Parking is right by the first tee, finishing out 18 brings you right back to the same spot, and locals are very friendly.
Even despite the lack of trash cans,litter is virtually non-existent. Between that and the condition of the fairways, it's clear that the Lion's Club is serious about making this a destination course.
Let's hope the virtuous among us keep it that way.
(Honorable mention for the two bridges across the creek on the back 9. Quite pretty and very well done.)
Cons:
Nice mailbox before the first tee, but it was empty! No scorecards!
Having the practice basket there is certainly cool, and having a radius of distances is even better, but it'd be nicer if the markers were recessed into the ground, instead of 9'' off the ground where you you can trip over them as you're putting.
Other Thoughts:
If you played the old layout at Unger Park in St. Louis, Lion's Club is exactly equivalent, minus the water: An absolute beast that'll humble you unless your arsenal is complete.
I got the **** kicked outta me here, but damnit, it was FUN!
Absolutely worth the trip on its own, but make a day of it and play the 9 at Ber Juan as well, unless you're brave enough to do Lions twice!
No bathrooms or water, and sparse benches available at the course, so rest up/fluid up/vacate beforehand.
An info kiosk, cards in the mailbox, a porta-john, and more benches will easily vault this course into 4.5 disc territory.
As the grooming continues/the amenities get added/paths get beat in, this course will only get better.
Stop thinking about it and go play! If you think you've conquered every St. Louis course, make the trip to Rolla and get humbled.
(Bonus for you St. Louis golfers making the trip down south, the 9-er at Kircher Park in Eureka is an easy side trip to make on the way back up Highway 44.)