The prestigious name "Forest Hills" dates back to the great name of golf for a very good reason.
The club's
history began in the 1890's with the introduction of the game to the
Rose City.
William P. Reeves, having just returned from abroad, raved about a new game he had
seen in
Scotland to
a group of his friends. Enthusiastic about Reeve's description of
golf,
the group
couldn't wait to get the golf
clubs they had just sent away for in New York. Thus,
the
first golf
course, boasting all of four holes, was established in Richmond,
Indiana.
When the group
expanded to 25, a new course was built south of "E" Street.
Their first
clubhouse was a
one-room shanty where the members enjoyed Saturday
afternoon
sandwiches, tea,
and
Sunday picnics.
On November 21, 1900, the group of golfers organized the Richmond Country Club. Its
first official clubhouse, built on the present site of Earlham Cemetery, was opened
June 4, 1901. Touted as "but a short walk from the street car line", the club hosted its
first Indiana State Golf Association tournament in 1904.
Fire destroyed the westside clubhouse in 1915, and a "handsome" new clubhouse was
erected on the current location of "Hayes Regional Arboretum" on Elks Road.
The grand
re-opening was on St.Patrick's Day in 1916.
A little over ten years later, on July 2, 1927, our club came of age when it moved to its
present home on South 23rd Street and adopted the name of "Forest Hills".
Through the years,
Forest Hills has continued to grow
and many improvements have been made,
including the additions of a swimming
pool, tennis courts, and irrigated fairways.
True to its legacy, our club
has been chosen twice in recent years to
host the "Indiana Open" and is recognized across the state as one of
the finest private clubs in Eastern Indiana