Lost in all the Olympic hoopla is the fact that the U.S. Senior Open is taking place this week at Scioto Country Club in suburban Columbus, Ohio, the boyhood golf home of Jack Nicklaus.
The last time the club was in the national spotlight was three decades ago for the 1986 U.S. Senior Open, which was one of five different significant tournaments the club has hosted, the others being the 1926 U.S. Open, won by Bobby Jones, the 1931 Ryder Cup, the 1950 PGA Championship, and the 1968 U.S. Amateur.
Nicklaus won’t be playing this week, but will be there as honorary chairman. His presence will be felt in other ways, too, from historic photos inside the clubhouse to out on the course, which he renovated in 2008 with Dr. Michael Hurdzan, who’s based in Columbus.
The club is celebrating its centennial this year, which is part of the reason why the USGA selected the club to host the 37th Senior Open.
