Otter Creek Golf Course, North/West Course, Columbus, Indiana - A Championship Golf Course Secluded in the Southern Indiana Countryside

Otter Creek Golf Course consists of 27 championship holes - with North, West and East nines - located amid the serene Southern Indiana countryside. The original 18 holes were designed by Robert Trent Jones and opened in 1964. Son Rees Jones was then called upon to design an additional nine holes that would compliment his father's design. The result is a links-style nine that opened in 1995.

Otter Creek makes use of the natural contours of the land to create a championship-quality public course. The North/West combination course has been typically ranked among the Top 25 Public Courses in America since its inception, and was Ranked #31 on the list of 100 Greatest Public Courses by Golf Digest in 2003-2004.

The North-West combination plays to 7,258 yards from the back tees, with a USGA rating of 75.6 and a slope rating of 138. The course features Bent grass tees, fairways and greens, is said to always be in "tournament condition,'' and is set in a secluded environment with no residential development.

Some of the more noteworthy holes include No. 9 on the North Course. This is the #2-handicap hole on the North nine, and plays to 427 yards from the Gold tees, demanding both length and accuracy. Two fairway bunkers, pine trees and heavy rough guard the left side of the fairway, even though the hole calls for a tee shot in that direction. The fairway also dips down, rolling both left and right until leveling off around the 150-yard mark. Approach shots that come up short of the green will find the swale, and the green is also well bunkered. Once on the putting surface, golfers will have to contend with an undulating green that slopes from back to front.

One of the more noteworthy holes on the West Course is the #1-handicap, a hole many golfers might conclude is a par-5 at 458 yards from the Gold tees. It's not. This par-4 is more manageable from the White tees as far as distance goes, but the challenge from any tee choice comes from a fairway that narrows and slopes downward, while being bracketed by bunkers. The approach shot will also prove challenging, as most lies will be downhill but will have to carry to an elevated green that's wide, but short, and breaks from the front to the back.

Another noteworthy hole on the West Course is No. 7, the #2-handicap hole and another daunting par-4. At 447 yards from the back tees, this is actually the second-shortest par-4, but the difficulty comes from a dogleg left, three bunkers and assorted trees and shrubs. After the dogleg, the fairway rolls and descends to the green, which is guarded by a narrow opening between bunkers and another bunker to catch shots that go long. The green itself is huge, but the challenge is in getting an approach shot close to the pin.

The practice facilities at Otter Creek include a driving range with natural grass tee area, along with chipping and putting areas. Club rental is also available from a fully stocked Pro Shop.

The clubhouse provides a panoramic view of the golf course, and is also available for private events and golf outings.