The Bob O’Connor Golf Course at Schenley Park has a rich history as one of the original centers for the game in western Pennsylvania. Golf has been played since 1897 on the scenic park land donated to the city of Pittsburgh by Mary Schenley.
Early in its history, the course was expanded from 9 to 18 holes before being converted from a private to public facility as one of the first municipal golf courses in the country. It was later reconfigured to 9 again to enhance opportunity for instructional programs. Introducing youths and beginning adults to the game is a staple of First Tee – Pittsburgh, the nonprofit organization that operates the course under a lease arrangement with the city of Pittsburgh.
The course took its current name in 2007 to honor Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O’Connor after his death. Mr. O’Connor had been a frequent patron and longtime supporter of the course during his tenure as mayor and on Pittsburgh City Council.
The course’s original clubhouse was replaced in 2021 by the modern, multi-faceted Arnold Palmer Learning Center, which allows for year-round education, training and practice. The APLC also serves as the chapter headquarters of First Tee – Pittsburgh.
Highlights of the history of “The Bob”
1889: Mary Schenley donates 300 acres of land to the city of Pittsburgh that becomes Schenley Park.
1897: Photos confirm for the first time that a portion of Schenley Park is being used to play golf.
1898: The first 9-hole “Long Course” in Schenley Park is designed by Scottish immigrant Mark Omiston and is built for members of the private Pittsburgh Golf Club.
1899: Pittsburgh Golf Club is among founding members of West Penn Golf Association, which hosts its first Amateur and Open championships on the Schenley Park course.
1901: The golf course is expanded to an 18-hole layout.
1906: The city of Pittsburgh asserts its control of the course while agreeing to continued use and maintenance by the Pittsburgh Golf Club.
1912: Schenley Park Golf Course formally becomes one of the first municipally owned golf facilities in the U.S., which also includes a new clubhouse.
1927: Pittsburgh native Carl Kaufmann wins the first of three straight U.S. Amateur Public Links titles in a tournament at Ridgewood Golf Course in Cleveland, Ohio.
1978: Bob Koman sets a competitive course record of 58 for Schenley Park Golf Course’s 18-hole, par 67 layout while playing the second round of the City Amateur.
1993: Carnegie Mellon University assumes operation of the course through an agreement with the city of Pittsburgh.
2001: First Tee – Pittsburgh is formed with Arnold Palmer serving as honorary chairman of its board of directors. The chapter begins hosting programming at Schenley Park Golf Course.
2007: The course is renamed the Bob O’Connor Golf Course at Schenley Park (BOGC) to honor the former Pittsburgh mayor and councilman after his death.
2008: First Tee – Pittsburgh begins operating the BOGC.
2012: Audubon International certifies the golf course as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for its environmental sustainability efforts.
2021: First Tee – Pittsburgh opens the BOGC’s state-of-the-art Arnold Palmer Learning Center, replacing the original clubhouse.
2022: The course is reconfigured as 9 holes – known as “The Bob 9” – to make it more accessible for the public. In addition, the 3-hole “Palmer Loop” is dedicated as space for coaching and instructional programs.