Just played the course for the first time on Sunday. I was lured by the unseasonable warmth and news that the course had been set to its longest layout with all poleholes in the 'B' positions.
When a new course pops up in an area of the country that previously had no established disc golf scene, one usually expects a pitch-n-putt with many common course design flaws. But it's obvious the designers of this course did their homework and took the suggestions of all those who recommended making for a challenging course with excellent length, elevation changes and bonafide pro par four holes. I was seriously impressed!
With all pins in 'B' positions, the course makes for arguably seven pro par holes, I estimate that SSA (Scratch Scoring Average) for this layout to be about 58, which would make it instantly one of the toughest permanent 18-hole courses in the state along with Moraine, Deer Lakes, IUP College Lodge, the long layout at Knob Hill, and 18-hole configurations at Nockamixon, Codorus, and Tyler State Parks.
<ul type="square"> The course starts off with possibly the most memorable opening hole in the state, other than the opener at Prompton Dam State Park. To the B pin, hole#1 at Whispering Falls course plays 717' to a well protected basket. The drive flies over a small valley and will optimally negotiate a landing area between scattered trees. The approach is another considerably long shot through sparse trees with heavy rough to the left and behind the basket. Only with length and accurate placement does one have a chance at scoring a birdie three.
Hole#3 plays down a Columbia Gas Line cut, and after executing a placement drive on the narrow fairway, the approach is down one of the sickest and awe-inspiring drop-offs I've ever seen at a disc golf course. Just walking down this elevation change is nerve wracking. At 520 feet, this isn't a long hole, but only the most accurate of golfers has any shot at the birdie 3.
Holes 5 and 6 play near an OB protected area, and staying out of this terrain is paramount. Executing a safe shot instead of going for a heroic one is the recommendation here!
Hole 8 and 9 play similarly down a walking trail with doglegs and heavy rough on both sides. While the fairway is ample, any shot that does not find fairway placement usually leaves nothing but a pitch-out back to the fairway. You are enthused to escape both these holes with a score of par 4.
Hole#10 is one of the most exciting par three holes I've seen in disc golf in years. It plays sharply downhill through a narrow gorge with high walls on each side. The pin positions are tricky in that even at 310 and 410 feet, drives can fly well past them and leave tough comebackers.
Hole#11 plays next to the Conococheague Creek, with views of the Martin's Mill Covered Bridge. Built in 1849, Martin's Mill Covered Bridge is reportedly Pennsylvania's second longest covered bridge. Hole#11 is is 755' long through scattered trees, and with the water hazard lining the entire left-hand side. Don't hyzer left! Being almost pancake flat, if the ground is dry this is an excellent opportunity to throw a long backhand or forehand roller. Watch for the ditch at about 425' though.
After all the pro par four holes, some shorter shots through heavy woods round out the rest of the course. (thank goodness!) None of these are easy deuces however, and bogies can still be had should one encounter early foilage. The most interesting of the remaining holes is #17, which is 370' downhill but with an OB marsh that one can choose to lay-up in front of, or attempt to carry. [/list]
In general there is excellent use of the almost too-good-to-be-true elevation changes available in the park, and there is an excellent balance between shots that alternatively favor southpaws and rightys, or forehand and backhand shots. Some holes, such as #9, might require executing both within the same hole.
As the course has only been in the ground for less than 6 months, there are the usual areas for improvement which the local club is already well aware of and will address in the coming year. There are directional signs needed, steps on some of the downhill and uphill paths, foot bridges to be built, leveling of tee boxes, etc. Additionally, there seems to be heavy pedestrian and equestrian traffic in the park and signs to alert both golfers and non-golfers of the presence of each other are needed. Knowing how impatient recreational disc golfers can be, I usually cringe when I see disc golf courses laid out partly on walking trails but hopefully the interference will be minimal and no serious safety incidents will ensue.
Kudos to the volunteers who worked tirelessly with the local parks department to make this course happen! This is truly a gem in the making and one that any disc golfer within a few hours drive should eventually make a pilgrimage to visit and play. Allow yourself plenty of time to play the layout, as negotiating the challenging course and the hilly terrain (especially the Whispering Falls Trail walk between holes#12 &13) will be taxing but oh so worth it! :cool:
