Presented to the City of Bedford, October 31, 1935 by Fred B. Otis, Editor of the Bedford Daily Mail, the "Pine Hall Property" became a Otis Park.
In June of 1921 Pine Hall Dairy Farm east of Bedford came up for sale. Some members and owners of the Town and Country Golf Club (1914) purchased the property and constructed a nine-hole golf course called Bedford Country Club. Everett Leonard, a top local golfer from French Lick, was hired as the first pro of the 3,140 yard facility.
In 1927 the first annual golf tournament was held, and won by Miles Standish, Jr., defeating Roger Martin. Also in 1927, Mrs. Norman Byers won the first Ladies Golf Tournament by defeating Mrs. C. H. Strupe.
A 40' x 40' swimming pool was constructed in 1928, and water from the Leatherwood Creek was used to fill it. The Bath House, which sits adjacent to the current Golf Shop, was built for dressing rooms when Pine Hall Mansion proved inadequate for that purpose. The membership at Bedford Country Club stood at 180 family members.
A combination of events beginning with the firing of Leonard and ending with the downturn of the economy caused the financial situation of Bedford Country Club to deteriorate. Play was opened to the public for the first time in 1933, but by 1934 the Club was forced to close.
The Bedford Daily Mail editor, Fred B. Otis assumed financial obligation for the defunct Bedford Country Club, which he called "Pine Hall Property" and agreed to donate it to the city if the Board of Public Works and City Council agreed to his terms. Thus Otis Park and Otis Park Golf Club were begun.
Beginning in 1937, Works Progress Act (WPA) funding allowed the construction of the "new" 18-hole golf course. The yardage was later increased by 1,199 yards and par was raised to 72. Otis Park's official opening day was June 27, 1937, though construction continued on the course and additional buildings through 1941.
Swimming Pool circa 1930-1940
Shelter House
Rock Garden circa 1930-1940
Band Stand
Rock Bridge
Park Entrance
Rock Walls
Pine Hall Tower
1923 - Original golf course opens as private club in September.
1933 - Play opened to the public.
1934 - Bedford Country Club closes.
1935 - Mr. Otis purchases Bedford Country Club and donates the facility to the city.
1937 - WPA grant money received for construction of an 18-hole, Par 60, 5,694-yard course and additional buildings.
1941 - Otis Park golf course completed.
1953 - First powered golf cars purchased.
1979 - Bedford Recreation Foundation purchases 17 acres for new holes #14 and #15.
1980 - Driving range opens.
2007 - Renovation of back nine completed.
The Bedford Recreation Foundation was organized in 1979 and assisted in raising $40,000 to purchase 17 adjoining acres to construct the new #14 and #15 holes, and make room for the lighted driving range, which opened in 1980.
A fully renovated back nine was opened for play in 2007 with newly seeded fairways and restructured greens.
Pine Hall circa 1930-1040
BBOTIS PARK GOLF PROFESSIONALSBB Everett Leonard 1923-1932 | Bob Peebles 1932-1933 | Herman Leonard 1933-1934 | Lester C. Smith 1934-1937 Frank Champ 1937-1941 | Herman Leonard 1941-1954 | Homer Mathews 1954-1979 | Roy Riggs 1978-1980 Larry Siddons 1980-1981 | Carl March 1981-1992 | Craig Heibert 1997-2005 | Steve Terry 2006-2007| Jason Calhoun 2007-2008| Mike Mahoney 2009-current|
Otis Park Golf Club - 607 Tunnelton Road - Bedford, Indiana 47421 812-279-9092
