The Country Club of Indianapolis

Overview: The Country Club of Indianapolis occupies a historic site west of downtown, where a mature parkland setting gives the club a sense of separation from the city. The 18-hole course is associated with Chicago architect Tom Bendelow and plays to par 70 at roughly 6,700 yards from the back tees. Its appeal is rooted in the balance of a traditional country-club routing, established trees, and green complexes that ask for control rather than constant power. The course is part of a club whose golf story reaches back to the earliest organized golf in Indianapolis.

History: The club traces its beginnings to 1891, when it operated closer to the city on a smaller property. As the original 9-hole site could not be expanded and the clubhouse burned again, the club decided to relocate. In 1912 members voted to sell the old site and develop a new country club, and Tom Bendelow inspected possible properties before the club selected Barnhill Farm on Crawfordsville Road. The move established the present setting and created the foundation for the modern course and clubhouse.

Did You Know? The name “Country Club” was a literal part of the relocation story. The founders moved far enough from the growing city that the new property was considered rural at the time, helping the organization preserve the open setting they wanted.