After the fiasco that was the Lake Marshall Open, it’s back to a local course for the Coleman Challenge, held at Coleman Memorial Park in Lebanon, PA. The course design at Coleman was created by the dynamic duo of Mike Dunkle and Charlie Greco, and once again they’ve worked their sinister magic to create a wooded masterpiece. Coming in at just over 9,000 feet for the Red (long) layout and just over 6,000 feet for the Yellow (short) layout, this course uses elevation changes, fairway pinch points, and small, guarded greens to entice and frustrate beginners and seasoned tournament competitors alike. Accuracy and intelligent play are both in demand; let either slip, and you’ll find yourself at the course’s mercy.

The tournament consists of 1 round on each layout. I’ve profiled this course in a “Course Playthrough” earlier this year, focusing on the Yellow layout, which is the shorter of the two main layouts; however, I have played most of my rounds here on the longer Red layout. That being said, I’m familiar enough with both layouts that I should be able to come up with a strategy to score well.

As long as I don’t have a disastrous weekend like the last one.

Course Stats

Here are the stats from UDisc for each hole:

Note: I’ve added UDisc’s score percentages and used then to calculate my own score average for each hole.

Course Data

Since this course has only been around for a few years, there is a limited amount of data available for analysis. These tables average the round ratings across all of the sanctioned tournaments in that timeframe and for these layouts, and dumps out statistics for the course. This is what it looks like:

Given that I would like to consistently hit a 930+ rating on my rounds, I would need to throw a 2-over on the Yellow course and 7-over on the Red course to hit that mark.

So those are my goals: +2 and +7.

My Data

As of today, my personal data for the Coleman Park courses consists of 15 recorded and rated rounds (2 on the Yellow layout and 13 on the Red layout). Here is the summary data:

Explaination:

Current Average My average for that hole across all of my recorded rounds
Optimistic The above average rounded down
Pessimistic The above average rounded up
Rounded The above average rounded numerically (.5 rounds up)
Reasonable My best guess at what I *should* score on this hole

Tumbling Down the Rabbit Hole

I look at each hole individually and gauge my score probability based on hole distance and elevation change, and my score on that hole from my previous rounds. I have played more than a few rounds on these courses, so I'll also factor in what I know about how I throw each hole.

First, I’ll work through the Yellow layout.

Hole 1 - 350 ft - Par 3
We start with a fairly open (as far as this course is concerned), downhill drive to a basket set on a slight rise. A tree-lined OB road to the left and a drainage ditch on the right define the fairway, with trees dotting the edges (and a few in the middle, of course!) The trees are a little closer to the desired flight path on the left, so the smart option is a backhand drive (with a distance or fairway driver, depending on how spicy you feel) down the right side of the fairway with a reasonable fade back to the middle. The basket is on a mound, so a missed putt will likely roll away, but as opening holes go, this one is pretty straighforward.
Expected Score: 3 ‍
Hole 2 - 376 ft - Par 4
Back up this hill, but this time with a much narrower fairway. the OB road is again on the left, and much closer to the fairway, so kicks are more likely to add penalty strokes on that side. The right side just has heavy rough to contend with. The fairway doglegs to the right at about the 300’ mark, but you don’t have 300+ feet of power in your forehand, so making the turn isn’t happening. Play a backhand driver low up the middle to avoid any lower branches and try to minimize the skip. This should leave you on the left side of the fairway with the best chance for a look past the dogleg corner to the basket. As long as you don’t hit early, you should be fine.
Expected Score: 3 ‍
Hole 3 - 320 ft - Par 3
Continuing up the hill, this fairway is similar to hole 2, except that it is substantially shorter and the pin is on the left side of the fairway instead of the right. There’s no benefit to doing anything fancy here, since 320’ is beyond your driving range. Just stay out of the garbage and give yourself a shot onto the green. The OB road on the left shouldn’t come into play.
Expected Score: 3
Hole 4 - 314 ft - Par 3
Here is where the course starts to demand some thought and skill. A straight, narrow fairway opens to an area that slopes substantially left-to-right, with the pin set near the right rough. Too much left-to-right movement on your shot could cause you to fly/skip farther down the hill than you would like, and the rough is restrictive enough to easily add digits to your score. A backhand turnover drive is probably your safest bet — just make sure that your disc choice is over that takes into account the need to fade back away from the trees. Again, smart and conservative choices here are key — this isn’t the time or place to get aggressive.
Expected Score: 3
Hole 5 - 500 ft - Par 4
This should be called “Coleman Park Signature Hole #1!” A long, narrow, and severely downhill fairway leads to an abrupt left turn at the bottom. Short your drive and you cut into the left side trees, forcing a scramble and pinching off your look at the tiny green; push too long, and the rough is dense enough to challenge your approach; accidentally go too far right, and you’re looking at at least one extra stroke. Just take a midrange or straight-flying fairway driver and lace the first part of the fairway, then see what you are left with. A perfect drive gives you access to the pin and a possible birdie — anything else and you’re working hard for a par or worse.
Expected Score: 4
Hole 6 - 324 ft - Par 3
Uphill on a narrow fairway with punishing rough on each side. You’re not reaching this pin with your drive, but you should try to stay to the right side of the fairway to give yourself the best access with your approach. This is a tricky par 3, so play it safe.
Expected Score: 3
Hole 7 - 375 ft - Par 3
Keep your backhand drive as wide to the right as you can, since the downhill slope of the fairway will let you get close enough for a look at the green — which is on the left side of the fairway. Like hole 5, a birdie is possible with a perfect drive, but don’t risk a big number going for that perfect drive if your confidence doesn’t warrant it.
Expected Score: 3
Hole 8 - 420 ft - Par 4
Touchy, touchy! This fairway has a pinch point at the halfway point, and you need to be moving left when you hit it. A backhand drive that pushes forward at the end would be best. This is definitely a scorable hole, but only if you hit your drive correctly. Your second shot (after that perfect drive) will be a forehand to a guarded green on the right side of the fairway. The right-side rough is REALLY close to the pin, so watch your distance control on the approach.
Expected Score: 4
Hole 9 - 287 ft - Par 3
Another fairway with a pinch pint at the halfway mark, but in this case the green is to the left, not the right. The pinch is tighter here, and a bad kick (especially to the left) will really hurt, so be precise. You probably aren’t going to be scoring here, so “safe” is a good play.
Expected Score: 3
Hole 10 - 270 ft - Par 3
Pinch point #3 in a row, but this one is closer to the green than the others. You will want to be heading slightly left at the pinch, as the pin is to the left just beyond the trees that you can see from the teepad. Possible scoring opportunity — but, as usual, a sure par is better than a “possible birdie/probable bogey” gamble.
Expected Score: 3
Hole 11 - 280 ft - Par 3
This is a big forehand drive (since the fairway doglegs to the right), but don’t cut too hard to the right at the end. A backhand turnover would be a better drive here, but yours isn’t consistent OR accurate enough to risk it. Just play the forehand drive, then work your approach to the pin, get the par, and move on.
Expected Score: 3
Hole 12 - 232 ft - Par 3
There are 3 gaps on this short little par 3, and all of them are narrow. Your normal play is a forehand fairway drive down the left gap, which is the widest of the three. Don’t over-throw — it’s not as far as it looks, and too much power risks your accuracy. Use the Fortress for the bigger fade — and who knows, you may actually have a look at a birdie.
Expected Score: 2
Hole 13 - 320 ft - Par 3
The temptation here is to try to get around the big tree which hides the pin… but you should resist that temptation and keep your drive to the left and up the hill. This left-to-right sloping fairway has “roll-away” written all over it, so play it safe here. This is an easy par 3, but it is also a hole where a mistake can balloon into a bigger number than you want.
Expected Score: 3
Hole 14 - 315 ft - Par 3
The only danger here is over-throwing your drive. Just backhand your King down the center of the fairway and let it fade to the hanging basket. You don’t need the extra power — the downhill fairway will do the hard work for you. Be smart.
Expected Score: 3
Hole 15 - 320 ft - Par 3
This is another hole where trying too hard will cost you much more than the the little extra distance that you may get will give you. A straight backhand drive past the initial tree line, then a pitch up to the basket perched on the wall will get you the par that you should have. Over-throwing the drive will gain you nothing but a headache and another spoonful of frustration.
Expected Score: 3
Hole 16 - 323 ft - Par 3
This is another par 3 that is not a scorable hole for you. Remember that, and play the safe backhand drive to the other side of the ravine, then pitch around the guardian trees, get your par, and save your emotional state!
Expected Score: 3
Hole 17 - 353 ft - Par 3
This is the worst “pinch-point” drive on the course. Keep in mind that, even though the fairway turns to the left after the pinch, the angle isn’t as tight as you think. Once again, don’t over-throw. Just get past the pinch, don’t go long (there’s OB all along the right side of the fairway), and give yourself an easy approach to the pin.
Expected Score: 3
Hole 18 - 383 ft - Par 3
Use your flippy King to throw a long turnover from the tee here, and swing around the right side the the densest of the woods. It makes the hole longer, but you don’t risk having to pick you way through the trees. Your second shot will be a bit long for an approach, and you should play it a bit longer than it looks. You can par this one, but only if you’re smart.
Expected Score: 3

Expected score: -2 (55)
Avg. Historical Rating: 968

Since your goal is +2, you have some space for a mistake or two. Just don’t make it a habit!

Now for the Red course:

Hole 1 - 782 ft - Par 4
The landing zones are key! Cross the first ditch to make the first landing zone; cross the second ditch to make the second landing zone. These are almost full power shots — just try your best to end up in the clear; not in the ditches and not in the trees. If you can make the second zone on your second shot and not be OB right or in the trees left, then you can approach the green with the possibility of birdie still in the works. There is also OB surrounding the green, so approaching long is dangerous.
Expected Score: 5 ‍
Hole 2 - 527 ft - Par 4
Downhill. Narrow. Dense rough on both sides. This par 3 is no joke. Big numbers are possible here, so play it safe and stay out of trouble. Use a neutral disc and don’t try to bite off too much. Par is good.
Expected Score: 3 ‍
Hole 3 - 451 ft - Par 4
Back up the hill, but this one plays a little easier than the last. A big backhand drive, to get up the hill and move left, then a forehand second shot to get around the dogleg corner and seek out the green. The green has a slope away and left, so long could be a problem.
Expected Score: 4
Hole 4 - 386 ft - Par 3
The tree-lined tunnel at the beginning of this fairway will require focus to stay out of trouble. Throw a backhand drive long and straight, and the left finish will help get you lined up for your second shot. Locate the basket before you throw your second shot, because the bushes in the front of the green area can sometimes mess with your targeting. Par is good. Keep on marching!
Expected Score: 3
Hole 5 - 665 ft - Par 4
Coming back up the hill, the trees are now in the middle of the drive path instead of the beginning. Don’t fear the trees, just pick a line and trust your shot. This hole isn’t complicated, but it does have teeth. Be careful and you’ll be fine. Par is good.
Expected Score: 5
Hole 6 - 533 ft - Par 4
This long, narrow tunnel is perfect for the “midrange march.” Just stay out of the rough, march right down the fairway, and get your disc in the basket. Say it again with me: “Par is good!”
Expected Score: 5
Hole 7 - 505 ft - Par 4
“It’s time for the water carry portion of our program!” This is a forehand fairway drive to a peninsula green. Too far right is fine, too far left is wet. Make the correct choice and don’t get cute.
Expected Score: 4
Hole 8 - 589 ft - Par 4
Since we are playing to the short basket, we only need to worry about the first water carry. Use the Prince to make sure that you are safely on dry land, THEN worry about the basket. No need to get creative. Par is good.
Expected Score: 4
Hole 9 - 469 ft - Par 4
Remember that you HATE this hole, then step up and put your drive on top of the hill. Once you get past that hump (pun intended), play the rest of the holes as a short par 3. Stay right on the initial drive if you can, the fairway is more open on that side.
Expected Score: 4
Hole 10 - 412 ft - Par 4
Just remember that you are only able to get TO the corner, not AROUND it. Don’t let your shot drift too far left before the corner, or you’ll pinch yourself off from any decent look at the green. A big hyzer second shot from your intended landing zone will put you near the basket. Just remember the OB on the right.
Expected Score: 3
Hole 11 - 441 ft - Par 4
A big downhill drive (try to stay left if you can), then another “full-pull” drive (again trying to stay left) should get to to a place where you can at least see the green. There’s OB right the entire way, so make sure that you are going to clear the corner of the rough when approaching the green. This is where you are going to start getting tired, so adjust if necessary.
Expected Score: 4
Hole 12 - 418 ft - Par 4
You’ve missed the corner and gone into the lake both times that you’ve played this hole. Time to play to the left to stay safe, then pitch up to the bailout area before the second water carry. Two correct throws should make this hole at least semi-manageable. Don’t sweat a bogey here, but par is a big possibility.
Expected Score: 4
Hole 13 - 444 ft - Par 3
Just get across the water with your tee shot, then worry about the rest of the hole. A forehand second shot is probably the best bet, although a big backhand turnover gives the cleanest landing on the sloped green. You won’t birdie this hole, so just don’t bogey it, either.
Expected Score: 3
Hole 14 - 414 ft - Par 3
Get up the hill to the fence with your initial drive. Hitting an early tree will earn you large numbers. Nothing complicated. Par is good.
Expected Score: 3
Hole 15 - 425 ft - Par 4
Play your drive to the flat; trying to throw your second from the slope leads to less-than-optimal results. This is a tricky sloped green ,so make sure that you don’t go long.
Expected Score: 4
Hole 16 - 530 ft - Par 4
Playing the short basket here, so a nice, long, super straight midrange is just fine for a drive. Hitting early is really the only danger here. so be confident and put it right down the center. Par is good.
Expected Score: 4
Hole 17 - 610 ft - Par 4
Tricky, tricky! Down hill shot with low branches on the right and OB to the left, short, and long of the basket. You can birdie this hole, but you can also get a gigantic number. Play away the the gigantic number, please.
Expected Score: 5
Hole 18 - 508 ft - Par 4
Yes, you’re exhausted. And you’re probably still thinking about whatever mistakes that you’ve made during the round. Put them both out of your mind and play this last water carry drive to the left to make sure that you stay dry. this is a long, uphill hole, so it’s going to take multiple shots to get to the basket. If you can stay left and dry on the drive, get to the bottom of the hill with your second, and most of the way up the hill on your third, then you can finish with a par and feel good about the round!
Expected Score: 4

Expected score: +2 (71)
Avg. Historical Rating: 963

I’ve played 11 rounds on the Red course, and while my bes score wasn an Even par (69), my average is just south of a +4 (73). Since the expected score is in between the two, hitting the target is well within reach, as long as I have a good round. Confidence is key.

So just keep the plan in mind, leave the frustration in the car, and play with confidence.

And joy. Always with joy.

Tournament Prep: The Coleman Challenge

Blog Post: Practice Vs. Performance