I believe that Dorey is the superior course. It offers more seclusion from the rest of the park, unlike Pharaoh's which frequently plays across or directly adjacent to other park features. Dorey has actually just undergone a bit of a revamp due to the installation of the Virginia Capital Trail (new 50+ mile biking/hiking path from Jamestown to Richmond) which connects to Dorey Park. A big thanks to the original designer (Biscoe?) for helping re-mold an old favorite into a newly restored gem.
The redesign of Dorey DGC has been very nicely done, IMO, making for a course just as fun, and likely a bit more challenging than the original. Currently, the course reconfiguration is still a work in progress with signage and navigation being updated, though the start is now much easier to locate for a first-time visitor, due to new hole # 1's closer proximity to the parking lot. The course is still 90% in the woods with subtle elevation changes that are nicely used.
Make no mistake, Pharaoh's at Whitebank Park has some fun holes and may play a tad quicker, but on multiple shots you're presented with throws that are either in relative or immediate proximity to: picnic table gazebos, a playground, a parking lot (you're literally driving off the slightly elevated tee (#4?) over the top of cars in said lot). Of course, if the park is not crowded at all, some of these will be non-factors. At Dorey, while the park itself can be quite crowded, you'll hardly notice because once on the course you'll be enjoying the quiet solitude of piney and old-growth oak woodsiness.
Navigation is fairly straightforward at both courses, though having a map would still be advisable. Hopefully signage updates are soon forthcoming at Dorey, as mentioned above. Minimal chance to lose discs is relatively good at both courses due to the general lack of thick undergrowth.
