A Clubhouse Rises from the Ashes
After a devastating fire in 1962, members rebuilt their clubhouse swiftly, opening a new facility by 1963. The rapid phoenix-like recovery showed the club’s deep roots and community spirit.
Classic Columbus golf tradition with major pedigree
Columbus Country Club
Columbus, Ohio
Amp Score
8.2
Established
1903
Architect
Tom Bendelow (1907), Donald Ross (major redesign in 1910s), H.S. Colt, Dick Wilson, Geoffrey Cornish
Access
Private
Par
Par 72
Length
7,003 – 7,077 yds
The verdict
Historic, walkable, and fiercely strategic
Columbus Country Club is one of Ohio’s most storied private courses, shaped by legendary architects and famed for its legacy hosting the 1964 PGA Championship. Expect a thoughtful, old-school test with demanding angles and superb walkability. If you value history, strategy, and quietly elite club vibes, CCC promises an engrossing 18.
Course DNA
Difficulty82
Scenery73
Conditioning80
Shot Variety88
Walkability93
Green Complexity79
Architectural Interest84
At a glance
Quick facts
Founded
1903
Renowned Architects
Ross, Bendelow, Colt, Wilson, Cornish
Championship Course Par
72
Longest Tee
7,077 yards
Major Championship Host
1964 PGA Championship
Course Slope / Rating
129 / 74.0
Notable Holes
1st, 4th, 15th, 17th
Access
Private – member/guest only
The lore
How it came to be
- 1903
Columbus Country Club founded as a horseman's estate club
- 1907
18-hole golf course designed by Tom Bendelow opens
- 1910s
Major Donald Ross-era redesign establishes current strategic identity
- 1946–47
Columbus Invitational contests hosted
- 1962
Original clubhouse destroyed by fire; new facility constructed
- 1964
Host of the PGA Championship, won by Bobby Nichols
- 1963
Current clubhouse opens
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Major Legacy: The 1964 PGA
Columbus Country Club reached golf’s grandest stage as the host of the 1964 PGA Championship, where Bobby Nichols emerged with a wire-to-wire win. The tournament cemented CCC as a course for champions.
From Bridle Paths to Fairways
What began as a rustic horseman’s escape in 1903 transformed into one of Ohio’s elite golf venues, maintaining generations of tradition alongside world-class design.
The design
The architecture
Columbus Country Club offers a tapestry of classic American golf design, showcasing strategic lines shaped by an all-star roster of architects. The Championship Course’s bones reflect Bendelow’s original routing, Ross’s strategic genius, and refinements by other luminaries. Its fairways invite thoughtful play, using stately trees and subtle elevation changes to test your route choices. Greens are mostly modestly contoured but well-defended, rewarding both savvy approach play and deft putting. The layout is highly walkable, and many holes force you to pick the right side or risk awkward lies to old-school, perched greens.
Ross’s redesign in the 1910s left enduring fingerprints, complemented by thoughtful touches from Colt, Wilson, and Cornish that honored the original spirit while adding nuance.
Defining features
- Strategic, angle-demanding doglegs and approach shots
- Pushed-up, original-style greens with subtle breaks
- A flat property with excellent walkability and visual charm
- Classic parkland design with mature trees and minimal water
- Signature par 4s and standout long par 3s
- Era-spanning architectural influences blended into one coherent test
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 1
Opener with Bite
PAR
4
YARDAGE
403 yds
Rated the city’s best opening hole, this par 4 sets the tone immediately: a right-center tee shot is crucial to open up a tough approach to an elevated green. The sense of anticipation and challenge defines the round from your very first swing.
Play it smart
Hit a controlled drive to the right side for the best angle in—distance matters less than placement.
Where it bites
Misplay the drive or under-club the approach and you’ll face a swift bogey.
Course management
Shots to think about
1st hole tee shot
Favor the right-center with a controlled club, not just brute force—set up a good angle for the demanding approach.
Approach to 4th green
Account for the left-to-right slope of the green and any uneven stance—aim for the high side.
Tee shot on 15th
Trust your aim on the blind drive—don’t try to cut the dogleg too tight or you risk being blocked out.
Approach to tiered green on 15th
Lay up short of the trouble, then spin a mid-iron onto the proper level—leave yourself an uphill putt if possible.
17th tee shot
Take enough club! Long iron or hybrid center green—avoid bunkers at all costs.
Par 5 decision (8th or 18th)
Unless you’re in prime position, lay up to your favorite wedge distance and avoid risking doubles on a late round charge.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Private-club fast greens and polished fairways, subtly contoured with old-school charm.
Pace
Traditional walking pace; rounds flow at an unhurried, member-friendly rhythm.
Vibe
Classic, understated, and tradition-rich with a private, members-first ethos.
Build the trip
If you're making a Columbus golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Scioto Country Club
Private
Major-championship pedigree and one of Ohio’s finest classic designs
Muirfield Village Golf Club
Private
PGA Tour venue with elite conditioning and Nicklaus signature architecture
The Golf Club
Private
Intensely respected private sanctuary for architecture nerds
Virtues Golf Club
Public
Top-ranked public course in the region—truly accessible championship test
Darby Creek Golf Course
Public
Solid public play, practical complement to elite privates
East Columbus / Bexley near East Broad Street for minimal commute and classic club access
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Dial the Mid-Irons
Several key par 3s and angled approaches demand control, especially as the round tightens on the back.
02
Brush Up on Chipping
Subtle green complexes will challenge your short game from tight, slightly elevated lies.
03
Study Angles on Doglegs
Smart play off the tee shapes your entire scoring opportunity—line, not length, is the secret at CCC.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Originally founded as a horseman’s club with bridle paths, not a golf club
2
Hosted the 1964 PGA Championship, won by Bobby Nichols
3
Features design elements from a who's-who of classic architects
4
Home to both a championship course and a 9-hole par 3 layout
5
Clubhouse rebuilt in record time after a major 1962 fire
The clubhouse
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