Omni Bedford Springs Resort - Old Course (Bedford, PA)

Driving from Cleveland, it takes just over three hours to reach Bedford Springs. It’s a straight shot down the Ohio and Pennsylvania turnpikes, and the verdant Allegheny mountains will make it seem like a leisurely Sunday stroll. It’s a step back in time with history oozing from its magical springs. The hotel has been visited by a dozen sitting presidents, and James Buchanan made it the summer White House during his term. The golf course enjoys a history just as rich with names like Oldham, Tillinghast, and Ross. 

Golf has been played at Bedford Springs since 1895. Spencer Oldham staked out the original eighteen holes and in 1907 Tillinghast condensed it to nine. Donald Ross arrived and expanded it back to eighteen holes in 1923.  (This is the second course I’ve seen where both Tillinghast and Ross had a hand in the architecture. Wanango was the first.) After falling on hard times, Bedford Springs was brought back to prominence when Omni purchased it and had Ron Forse restore it 2007. 

(The 310/302 yard par four first hole starts off the round in thrilling fashion. The prudent play is laying up and taking a chance with a short iron but what longer hitter can resist busting it over the bunkers in an attempt to get on or close to the green?) 

Bedford Springs is laid out in a secluded valley with Shobers Run weaving its way through the bottom. The creek’s presence is felt for the entire round as it accompanies the player from the clubhouse to the far end of the property. Typically on terrain like this, most of the holes play on the hillside away from the water, but here it’s embraced with multiple tee boxes close to it. 

(The 192/178 yard par three second hole plays over Shobers Run to a green that is wide open in the front. A flighted ball that covers the hazard can run onto the putting surface.) 

(The 223/212 yard par three fourth is a classic Donald Ross Volcano hole. The green has falloffs on every side and it plays UP-hill! It’s incredibly difficult to hit in regulation, and finding yourself in one of the bunkers is more probable. For aficionados, this may be one of the best holes of its kind.) 

When Ron Forse restored Bedford Springs, his biggest project was revamping Shobers Run. He widened it out and fortified it with natural vegetation. This slows water flow and helps it drain better. Bedford Springs used to be prone to flooding but now water is moved more efficiently downstream. It all adds up to a great setting and relaxing atmosphere that makes the course a wonderful place. 

(The 387/372 yard par four seventh plays in the heart of the valley with the creek fronting the green. It’s a small target with falloffs on the sides.) 

(This is the view of eleven from the back of ten tee. It’s a 467/440 yard par four that plays from an elevated tee box to a wide landing area. Even from this distance, one can tell the green slopes to the front left corner. The beautiful vista down the valley shows off the charm and allure of Bedford Springs.) 

While the valley holes are attractive, the ones that play higher on the slope are the best. 1,4,10,and 18 all have this feature and play to an elevated green while 11 & 14 are the only ones that play downhill from an elevated position. Not surprisingly, three of these six holes are par threes. Tillinghast and Ross were both great at finding engaging one shotters, and I love the fact that two of these are devilish short par threes. 

(The 124/112 yard par three tenth is nearly an island green with steep falloffs everywhere but long. The imposing gap between both hills is accentuated by the bridge spanning the divide. The two tier green demands an excellent shot. Putting from one level to the next will be a challenge.)

(Nicknamed “Tiny Tim”, the 136/129 yard par three fourteenth plays downhill to a green surrounded by trouble. Tillinghast wrote exclusively about this hole in his book. The spring fed pond may prod one into taking an extra club which brings all the bunkers behind the green into play.) 

The other twelve holes play in the valley. If there’s any criticism lobbied towards Bedford Springs then it’s the flatness of these holes. There’s no significant land movement to challenge the player off the tee, so one can drive with impunity. The test comes from hitting the small well bunkered greens. The shoulders extending from the traps strategically tuck the pins into tight areas that require quality shots. Indifferent approaches are left with the same conundrum as one tries to gauge the weight of putting over these features. 

(This photo of fifteen green illustrates just how accurate one must be to have a reasonable birdie opportunity.) 

(The 356/346 yard par four eighteenth hole is well defended off the tee by four sand traps including the serpentine bunker on the right. It’s a short hole so plenty of options exist...
...the green is elevated atop a shelf with two levels of bunkers confusing the ones depth perception. The hotel in the background adds to the confusion making it important to trust ones yardage. The small green has several great pin positions. Birdie is well earned.)  

Bedford Springs is an impressive golf course and makes my short list of best places to play on a day trip. A couple national publications rank it as the second best public course in Pennsylvania. I concur with this only because I’m a huge fan of golden age architecture but I can see another giving that nod to modern layouts like Old Stonewall or Glen Mill. Regardless it’s a top three public course and worthy of the drive. I give Bedford Springs a 7 (great)(worth driving 3-4 hours to play). 

[After the round, we ate at a stone and mortar tavern called Jean Bonnet which dates back to 1790 and the Whiskey Rebellion. The inside is like a scene from Game of Thrones. There are no windows, just a couple fireplaces with cast iron gates to swing a cauldron into the flames. It’s recognized on the National Historical Register.]