Juniors Can Start Their Engines at the Inaugural PING Indianapolis Junior
New event hosted at The Bridgewater Club, designed by world-renowned course architect Pete Dye

There’s more to Indianapolis than racecar driving. The beautiful terrain and intricate design of The Bridgewater Club will rev up the engine of the nation’s top juniors when the inaugural AJGA PING Indianapolis Junior rolls into Noblesville, Ind., June 7-10.

“I’m sure the juniors will find the breathtaking course not only beautiful but also very challenging,” AJGA Tournament Director Mark Oskarson said. “We are very excited to be playing on such a well-designed site.”

Built in 2003, The Bridgewater Club, designed by world-renowned course architect Pete Dye, features rolling terrain and majestic scenery. The course winds its way through nearly 180 acres of rolling hills, featuring bentgrass greens and fairways. A variety of trees line the course, accenting a very natural looking countryside.

The course was sculpted out of a Noblesville tree farm on the outskirts of Indianapolis. The fairways are lined with red oaks, black oaks, pin oaks, sweet gums, ash, sycamores and blue spruces, as well as a variety of other trees, which give the course a look of maturity.

“Since we opened in September, this is really our first event at The Bridgewater Club,” said Doc O’Neal, The Bridgewater Club director of operations. “Being that it is our first event, we are very excited that the AJGA is involved. We think it will be good exposure for our course, as well as a good test for the juniors. The course has more of a classic, traditional look, so I’m sure the kids will really enjoy it.”

Throughout the course, the field of 99 boys and girls, ages 12-18, will notice the absence of Dye’s signature railroad ties in lieu of limestone blocks, accentuating the look of the neighborhood that accompanies the golf course.

Dye intended for the course to be player friendly, yet challenging; and that’s exactly what the juniors will get. Not solely providing shade, the trees will test the accuracy of each golfer. In addition, bunkers and water help shape each hole.

“This course will test every junior golfer,” Oskarson said. “In addition to the many trees lining the course, bunkers and water hazards will serve as challenging barriers.”

Dye has designed his course in such a way that the first hole provides a “soft touch,” allowing players to get off to a good start. Fast becoming the club’s signature hole, the par-4 third hole places a premium on the tee shot to position oneself to the approach to the well-guarded green. The hole winds its way around the creek, making it a favorite of many golfers.

By far the most challenging hole on the course, the par-5 12th hole may have a charming setting, but golfers should watch out for bunkers on the second shot.

Overall, the course combines a classic design with the majestic Indiana countryside to make for a championship-caliber course. Junior golfers will definitely remember this area for more than just racing.