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. == B+
(The top of the course is open and plays through mature hardwoods. Most of the holes are laid out pretty well to make you make good choices on what line you want to take. Nothing too dramatic, but fun figuring out how you want to skin the cat - mainly based on how you are feeling and how the wind is blowing. The wooded holes on the hillside and lower level are quite good at forcing you to throw exactly what is offered....and punishing you firmly if you mess up. The steep incline and dense woods are the main disciplinarians. Good balance in this course!)
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. == B+
(Most of the holes on this course seems tailor made for me...although some on the top are a little long and a few wooded ones a smidge short. It is the kind of course when I am on my game, I can tear it up (go 8-10 down on), but if I am off I can be 3-4 over on. I like that a lot!)
3) More wooded than open - lots of variety of shots required caused by hole shape and topography == A-
(I love the variety of shots on this course, some very creative use of obstacles and terrain. I love how none of the wooded holes feel similar to each other at all (some of the open/top holes get redundant though). In my book, if say 2 of the open holes were moved into the woods on the hill, this would be knock your socks off perfect. TallPaul tells me that the course has been reconfigured and scaled back and is actually maybe in danger of being pulled....so I am guessing any re-design ain't happening soon).
4) Natural beauty (Appalachian beauty preferred) and seclusion. == C
(This to me what the disappointment of an otherwise very cool course. The upper part of the park offers no seclusion and has an old/tired park feeling. Although the wooded holes offer a few picturesque spots, the bottom of the course is cursed with an old ratty looking road that runs the length and feels a little like a dumping ground. The river could be nice, but somehow has a bit of a trashy feel to it too. If things could be cleaned up and revitalized, that would bump this course into the upper echelons of my favorites.)
5) Bonus points for multi-throw holes with defined landing zones, good risk/reward and multiple options to play them. == 2 bonus points
(I love Hole 7! It is a unique and challenging 2 throw hole and is eagle-able with a perfect roller shot. Carding a three means you executed 2 picture perfect touch shots (or maybe a killer putt). But I can easily see running up scores of 5, 6 or 7 if you are off. The hole accomplishes this with the shape of a very lazy S. First shot is a L-to-R shot through a narrow but fair gap and down a small embankment to a flat landing zone. From there you have around probably 175' through a very tight but fair straight tunnel lined by extremely tightly spaced trees. I love the concept and I love the length/width proportions used! Nice. The world needs more of this type of hole.)