Pros:
-Beginner/Casual/The Occasional "loan them discs" friendly course.
-Plays around the perimeter of a well maintained and beautiful park!
-Concrete Tee's, Signs (except 6, more later) Baskets in good shape.
-Varied Terrain, The "across the valley" shot on #3 was exquisite!
- Had a good balance of fun and challenging lines. But it still edged out as a fun course. (once I knew where I was going)
-The final third of the course, weaves through a wooded area and over a creek. You'll have to get creative with your lines, but very doable.
-Fun, Convenient, and can still get a work out.
-Worth a mention: A couple of guys ran up on me. They would run to the tee, fire off a shot, sprint to their disc, throw etc.. run and gun type play. If they missed a putt, they would do X amount of Burpees. They were heading into their third lap as I was leaving the park. I should really look into this kind of workout! Super cool guys! They filled me in on the situation with #2! I let them through on #7, and they were back to #7 by the time I was finishing on #9 (On your left, anyone?? lol)
Cons:
-As of this review, Construction has crossed the #1 Fairway, and runs parallel to #2. High unclimbable Fence.
-#6's sign is missing. (I mistook it for #2 tee and the #3 tee)Just conveniently frustrating.
-Odd sized Tees, a little short. (more disorienting, than hindering though) Not a real big deal, but it is on three. No run up, and slopes off at the end.
-The #1 Basket is close to a new playground that was constructed in front of the #2 Teepad (which is no longer in use. The Alt Tee is 30ft on the other side of play area). I realize the basket was there first, but I must acknowledge.
-Though the flow is logical, however First time navigation can get wonky. Honestly, I walked past the #2 teepad, and didn't know that the tee area was moved. Three is easy to miss. Finally, 4 and 5, throw parallel to each other. you throw 4, then walk back to 5. Odd. but easy to remember for 2nd round.
-Pedestrian traffic and a kids play area
Other Thoughts:
I'll start with this: I dinged this course a half point for the playground, not the construction. However... the #3 fairway, bought that point back! Some issues here are temporary, due to construction taking place in the park. I also wonder, with the construction of the play area right in front of #2's Teepad, if there won't be a redesign in the future. More than likely, post construction.
Okay, so my experience started off being met by said construction zone. I wasn't sure if the basket I seen near hole one was a practice basket, or a temp basket in use for hole one. So, I played around the construction to the original #1. There were kids in the play area, so I approached with caution, completely passing, and not seeing, the #2 tee. Thus began, my search for #2's tee. I found A tee with no sign. (This was the #6 tee) I threw twice, each time to a wrong basket. I finally figured out where 2 was, then opted to skip #2. (After learning later, I went back and played it) Three was a raised mound on top of a hill. Glorious shot! The next three lines throw back across this valley, but not as high up. #6 is probably the second highest throw with a sweet downhill shot as well! 7,8,and 9, weave across a creek and through a mild wooded area. Very scenic, Very Cool!
I was impressed, once I figured out where I was going! #3's long downhill run really helped quell some seething frustration that was seriously building up! (Hint: #3's tee backs up to the construction fence) It was only then that I understood the draw to Rotary Park! 1 and 2 will probably need some relocation after the construction is completed, but the rest of the course really is worth the trip. Thing is... Kirksville is off the beaten path for any one in Iowa. With Disc Golf popping up more and more in Northern Missouri, I'm surprised that there aren't more courses in Kirksville!! Hopefully that will change in the future! If I lived in Kirksville, I would definitely enjoy playing here!! Is it worth the drive? Only if you make it part of bigger trip. Say you're already going Kirksville or heading to St Joe, Columbia, or other points south, then you should definitely make it a stop along the way. It will be a pleasant addition and it plays relatively quick!! (Just remember what I said about holes 1, 2 and getting to 3)