Manor Township is a nice multi-use park that provides a diverse range of challenges for a 9-hole course. Distances ranged from 175' to 414', with four holes 220' or shorter and two holes 380' or longer. Hole designs also varied nicely, with tunnels, open bombers, low ceilings, and the creek frequently in play (but see cons). Most of the course is flat but a couple of holes feature moderate elevation changes.

Yellow-banded baskets, each with a number plate, were easy to spot, mounted level, and caught pretty well. An arrow on each basket points the way to the next tee. Post-mounted tee signs include a colorful map, distance, and (generous) par. One tee and one basket per hole.

Tunnel holes beside and across the creek challenge accuracy (but see cons), and baskets set close to the creek require control on drives and approaches. I enjoyed hole #7, an uphill right-turning shot with a tree to miss on the left and trouble on the right. Hole 9 was unconventional but also fun, featuring a righty sidearm chip across the creek followed by a long approach through scattered trees.

Even for a mixed-use park Manor Township has an unusually high number of safety hazards, with two particular examples standing out. Hole #3 is a 380' open bomber with a picnic table and walking path in the middle of the fairway and a baseball field in range of a poorly thrown drive. Hole #8 is a short, right-turning downhill through scattered trees with a busy picnic area just left of the fairway. Playing on a hot summer weekend I had to time my drive to avoid hitting children who were playing in the line of fire.

Risk of disc loss is fairly high. Hole #1 is a 173' toss across the creek, but overhanging branches on the far bank are eager to knock errant drives into the water. After missing the gap I spotted my putter in the creek a foot from the edge, but found no way to retrieve the disc without wading through an ocean of poison ivy. Bye-bye putter. Trimming the overhanging branches and controlling the poison ivy would make this a lovely starting hole.

Unimproved natural tees were frequently sloping and/or impeded by tree branches or encroaching rough. If you are going to pick a random patch of grass to tee from, why not choose a spot that is level and unobstructed? For example, on hole #4 the teeing area slopes sideways and is partly blocked by pine branches that hang below head height. During my round I considered the teeing areas to be general suggestions rather than specific locations.

Disc-eating rough is a factor on many holes. I mentioned poison ivy already, but gosh there sure was a lot so I shall mention it again. This course might be more enjoyable during the winter months after the rough has died back.

Walks between holes are generally short, but there is a fairly long hike past a parking lot between holes 7 and 8. It took me a little while to find the hole #9 tee, which is hidden behind shrubbery near the creek.

Despite some nice course elements my round here was much less enjoyable than it should have been. Manor Township has the potential to be a very nice community course, but achieving that potential will require re-thinking a few holes for safety and playability, improving the tees, and committing to regular course maintenance.

Not really a con, but there was a weird disconnect between the tee sign and reality on hole #4. The sign shows a sharp and unrealistic dogleg left around a line of trees, but there is no mando requiring one to throw that line. When you step to the tee you will see a straight path through the trees to the basket.

Hole #6 is another odd one. A pretty 291' hole with the creek along the right side finishes with an overgrown tunnel to the basket that risks kicking OB in the creek or getting stuck in thick rough. Perhaps with some trimming this would be a reasonable line. I laid up short, chipped up to the basket, and then realized there is a back door if you just drive straight and land precisely at the opening. Meh.

For what I think was a Boy Scout project from ten years ago, it's actually an interesting and fun layout with nine unique holes. Good variety and use of elevation and trees, and it's cool how most of the course is on the inside of the horseshoe-shaped path of the Little Conestoga Creek.

Having played the course in the early 2000's and not having been back until now, I was surprised by how much fun some of the holes
were. #4 is a cool little ace run 150' down the side of the hill through tight woods. #5 plays down a long alley along the creek under a canopy of trees.

There are a couple playability and safety issues. Hole #1 was designed as a short throw over the creek, but riparian vegetation and trees planted since the course has basically eliminated all options except a thumber. Hole #9 is also a throw over the creek that turns right blind and puts pedestrians in danger.

You can't really play the course using the tee post as a tee. You sort of have to look at the 30' radius around the post and determine what would make sense.

Navigation is not very tough. Look for #3 post up toward the volleyball courts slightly hidden in pine trees. Look for #6 down the path and hook to the right. #9 is across the creek and in the back right corner of the picnic area near the creek.

This course has a lot of potential to be turned into a good 9-hole course because of its layout and land. Baskets could be installed and tees re-placed and the layout tweaked (modify #1 and #9), and I'd love to have this park nearby.