Pros:
Trees, elevation, variety of shots and distances, water, risk reward shots.
Cons:
Infrastructure not completed, dirt tees, only one position, only short position in at this time. When completed this will be a 4-4.5 easily
Other Thoughts:
I will update this as things get accomplished. Hopefully only a 1 year process. As one of the designers and lead project manager I feel I can give a fairly accurate review of what and why things were done, techniques and what still needs to be done. I will try and give this review as if I was walking with the player.
From the El Pomar sports complex parking lot. Park near the baseball fields and walk the sidewalk east towards the river and pedestrian bridge that crosses. From the right side of bridge is Tee 1.
General notes: Short positions are in, we had to do this to show that it's a good course for most people. This was a stipulation of the city, I will not on holes where we can stretch them out or change positions in the future. Please navigate the steep areas only on the trails to maintain the vegetation on them to prevent erosion.
Hole 1: Short FH hyzer spike. You can go straight at the basket but if you get too high and clip a branch it is likely you will drop into the river. This is likely a hole where we won't have a lot of room to expand, possibly only one more position, if that. There is an Am pad or DZ for those that aren't comfortable with throwing across water. Originally we had this to the north of the concrete pad and may go back there in the future, but for now it's about 80 feet from the basket next to the path.
Hole 2: Longer hole that plays to the left side of the trees, too much air and you can possibly lose a disc into the river. Still very rough and will take time to finesse this hole, plays to the edge of the county jail complex, past barrier trees is OB and jail property. This is a hole where we have several options for other positions. Walk east across sidewalk to 3's tee.
Hole 3: plays along hillside bordered by sidewalk (OB) and impound lot (if you go in you have about zero chance of getting your disc back). Basket lies behind trees. We have a some room to stretch this out in the future. walk along sidewalk to trail leading north towards north corner of impound lot. and tee 4
Hole 4: from next to power line it throws across a small depression, serious rough to the left side. This hole can also be stretched with new positions. From basket follow trail up the rise to cliffs edge and 5's tee.
Hole 5: this is the only place where we have crossing fairways, because of the geography and property lines. So watch for throwers from 17's tee which is located on the side of the hill above the bent over cottonwood and plays to the base of the cliff. In theory we hope that if both are occupied that both groups will throw and then make their way to their discs. Thus limiting any conflicts that may arise. Now for the description:
Epic shot from top of cliff, over the bend in the river, to basket located near the bent over tree. After shooting walk along the top of the cliff to the marked trail, please do not go straight down as we are trying to avoid erosion and it's a sensitive area. This is another where we have plans to expand the second position longer and more across the riverbend towards the path to 6. The Am pad is located at the base of the cliff for those that aren't comfortable with the throw over water. This can also be used as a drop zone. From the basket walk north and west toward the river (it's a bit of a walk) to Tee 6.
Hole 6:this is the start of the northern, wooded section. Flat hole that plays along a natural corridor. River is to the left and it would take a pretty unlucky throw or when the river is super high for it to come into effect. We can stretch this hole out a bit in the future. Until mid June follow the blue flags to the north and east to Hole 10. Holes 7-9 are not played at this time.
Holes 7,8,9: There is a nesting red tailed hawk that lives in the center of these holes that has chicks. Because of this we must maintain a 150' area around the nesting site until mid june when the hawkling will have fledged and we can move into our designed holes. This is the reason of the name "The Aviary" there are lots of birds and their habitats and we are going to live with them by leaving the wild areas wild. This is by design. Once we put the baskets in they will stay, the theory behind this is that if the hawks return to nest they are ok with our activity and if they move on they aren't. We certainly hope they stay. I will update this review when the baskets are in.
Hole 10: Short hole that throws under an arched tree and dogleg left. Water comes into play if you over shoot or hyzer out too soon. Easy birdie for well placed shot. We have several options here to place pins.Follow path parallel to fairway to Tee 11
Hole 11: Possible double mando (still working on ideas) between trees 20 feet in front of box location to open area. with basket. Not a whole lot of options here for more than 1 other position. Follow trail towards river for hole 12.
Hole 12: Water to the left, trees to the right. Basket set in pocket at base of hill. There are several future options including pin placement near rivers edge. Follow trail up hill to 13's Tee.
Hole 13: elevated tee down a tunnel. One of the signature holes. and one we can stretch out another 75-100 feet. follow trail to west to "rest area" and then to tee 14
Hole 14: short hole over brush. This starts where there was a ton of transient trash that was removed, there will probably be items found for years. There is possible for a few other positions including a difficult one on the side of the hill. For now, enjoy the easy birdie. walk forward to 15's tee.
Hole 15: "Homeless Alley" So named for the two story dwelling that was here when we started looking at this piece of property, then was reduced to garbage from treeline to treeline. Thankfully cleaned up by volunteers shortly before opening. This is a hallway shot that leads to an open field, and returns to the arid landscape. This is also one with the possibility of at least 2-3 other positions including one on the side of the hill on a ledge for a possible par 4. walk towards the river under the arch of the fallen tree to tee 16.
Hole 16: this continues the same "line as hole 15 along the bottom of the hill to a basket under an arched tree. Hanging debris makes the landing critical for a putt. This one has lots of potential to stretch for length. Follow blue flags around hill and up the side to hole 17's tee.
Hole 17: From elevated teepad above the bent tree make sure no one is in valley or using 5's AM box before throwing. Basket sits in the corner at the base of the hill. A disc that flips over or is grip locked will likely end up in the river. This one doesn't have a lot of options for change. Go back along the base of hill towards 5's basket and climb hill, pass 5's tee to 18's tee near the transmission tower (big power tower) to find 18's Tee.
Hole 18: Long hole, elevated tee pad, lots of rough and the possibility of water. Fun way to end a round. From elevated pad the basket is in the grouping of trees. We have lots of possibilities here including the ambitious idea of crossing the river again near the pedestrian bridge for a nice par 4 or 5. Cross pedestrian bridge to replay 1 or walk out to parking lot.