Two Des Moines Challenge courses: Big Creek State Park DGC, Ewing Park DGC

"Stare into the light until you see the pin," said my guide at the inspiringly beautiful Big Creek State Park DGC in Polk City (Des Moines), IA, one of the courses hosting the Des Moines Challenge in late May 2015. One other, Ewing Park in Des Moines, left no less of an impression.

Hard to Birdie Hole Series: Estero DGC #11

Hard to Birdie Hole Series: Estero DGC #11 eventually opens up following this window (pictured below). 368 feet from the shorter Advanced Tees to a pin shielded by palms and pines. This blind par 3 is only rarely birdied.

Much of the course is plagued with long over water tee-shots. Too long. Estero, Florida needs Johne McCray (9852) to give a distance and control clinic.

Also, was the mando really necessary from the pro tees (second picture)?

For more information about this challenging course, view dgcoursereview.com.