'Scuse I think they call it

I made it over to Syracuse today after 3 rounds in Rochester, 2 with my guide Ryan who designed one of the courses (he's lucky he did it well).

Rochester- Sweden DGC: Now this course is just rough and nasty. Hole #1 took over 10 minutes to play, had to walk 75% of the fairway to see the pin. It is lightning bolt shaped, 2 twists (discs don't fly that way), surrounded by rough worse than Hudson Mills Monster, and I had to sacrifice my putter and firebird to my ivy pocket after just one hole.
It doesn't get much better..the next 5-6 holes are insanely tight, with no pure line to hit, crazy "U" shaped fariways and 3' wide tunnels that do not forgive. Then it opens up for 3 good holes, though not using this cool pond the could have. Back into deep woods for more "U" holes and blind trick shots, finishing with a hole that goes maybe 80-100' straight @5' wide, then turns 90 Degrees left, and goes straight for 250' again 5' wide tunnel. Not really enjoyable, not really throwable, it doesn't see much action compared to other local courses. Some tree work, tweaking could make it nice eventually.

Rochester- Parma: This course is pretty sweet, mostly "open" with plenty of woods shots thrown in and plenty of trees in the fields. It is much longer. Pretty well maintained and easy to play. Tons of 350-450' fieldwork shots that need to be smooth to 2 or 3. Tests your whole bag, complete with a 200' to clear water hole. Shot like 3-5 over I think, get your 2's early.

Rochester- Monroe Community College: This is when Ryan had to go to work, thanks again and for directions, I found it and love seeing baskets from the highway!
This course is "private" so treat it well and park where they tell you to in guide and on message board. Fairly short, it goes in and out of woods on the front 9, woods on back 9. Saw a snake in the water on #1, look for pics. Dueced 2-6, so the front is really easy. Beautiful manicured hill around a pond, with large rocks, pines and bushes for most of the front 9, with some wet marshy woods holes and on the back. Need mostly putters and mid-ranges, but it had me throwing sidearm at least 3 drives.

Auburn- Emerson: This one starts out pretty nice, then it gets extrrremely nasty and tight and ridiculous. The front 9 (10) are in a field with large old trees, 200-500' shots all well designed, with a tiny bit of water hazard. View of a lake or something across the street. Then it goes into some semi-swampy woods. These 6 holes are insane. Not much chance to make it through, let alone land on fairway. The good locals throw tomahawks away from the fairway through the woods hoping to get lucky I was told, so even they don't try to throw down the fairway. There is a "U" hole over 400' going right, tight conditions off tee make it hard to even get 20' without hitting a tree. If you do, you kick into a swamp full of ivy and mud, and have to play through it because it's easier than trying to get back to the fairway. Then there's a cool over the pond shot, followed by a 500' off raised tee wide open hole, then to finish a hole like the front nine. The guide is not specific enough: Pay at entrance, then drive ACROSS street to parking lot there where course is. No fee today though.

[Ben Calhoun]

Thanks. I skipped that new 9 holer to have time to play near Syr. it turned out. Maybe I will never get better and can play Am Worlds 2011!

[Ryan Hand]

Ben,

It was great to meet you and shoot those two rounds. Glad you liked Parma. Good luck with everything. If you're ever back in the area let me know (no hotel this time). Take care.

Ryan

[Ben Calhoun]

top 5 hasnt changed lately..
ny is great so far overal though, something like 10 good and 2 bad courses, better than national average, syracuse tomorrow..dont play auburn (right outside) its not worth it

[Rizbee]

Owasco Lake...

[Rizbee]

Ben - I think the "view of a lake or something across the street" is Owsco lake, one of New York's Finger Lakes. Make sure to see some of the local sights while you're traveling - don't have disc golf blinders!

You're reports are starting to gel into a great format. Good information and fun to read. I think we all also like hearing about locals you meet along the way. It would be great if every five days or so you would update your "Top 5 so far" or something like that.

Where Ben's Been Google Earth Map

[mark mcgarity]

emerson in aurburn is really new so im glad you kinda liiked it...more work is needed and the ivy and swamp will eventually disappear..oh and its 'cuse.....lol