Many students spend their summer relaxing and taking time away from the mundane routines of school and work. Some use this time to sharpen up their golf game, hoping to become the world’s next Tiger Woods.
Columbus has many public courses available to those who can’t afford the luxurious county club membership.
The Safari Golf Club is located next to the Columbus Zoo in Powell, Ohio. The public can play 18 holes of golf, with a cart, during the week for $30. This price increases to $34 on the weekends.
Jeff Dietrich, golf pro, said the Safari Golf Club does not host many tournaments which allows the public to take full advantage of the course.
“Pretty much anyone can play,” Dietrich said.
Just up the road from Safari is the Shamrock Golf Club. The price is a little higher, $38 for 18 holes and a cart. But, they are currently running a special of $30 for 18 holes of golf and a cart Monday through Thursdays. Tee times are available up to one week in advance.
Aspiring pros who have a little more time can travel to Blackhawk Golf Club in Galena, Ohio. Blackhawk is trying to attract a larger number of golfers later in the day by offering an afternoon rate of $14 for 18 holes of golf and a cart after 5 p.m.
They do not require tee times during the week but, for weekend play, tee times are needed up to 4 p.m. They can be made at www.openteetime.com, a feature unique to the three courses. After 4 p.m. “golf is first come, first go.”
Although each of these courses are public, the fees are still considerably higher than the student rates offered at the Ohio State University golf courses.
Undergraduate students carrying at least seven credit hours and graduate students with at least five credit hours can play 18 holes for $18. But, a cart is an extra $24 and can be split between two people.
The OSU courses also offer a twilight rate of $9 for as much golf as you can play after 6 p.m. Golf pro Chris Walsh said that usually most people who start a round at 6 p.m. can finish it before dark.
Golf memberships at the Ohio State Golf Club can be purchased for $550. This entitles golfers to take part in all member events held at the club.
Although golf course rates and memberships at OSU have increased slightly over the last few years, students make up the largest numbers of golfers.
“Most of our play is student play,” Walsh said.
The university golf club does close on Mondays like all other private and semi-private clubs.
The Ohio State Golf Club is home to two courses, Scarlet and Gray, thus virtually guaranteeing students a time and place to get in their round of golf.
