Championship golf is coming back to Columbus this summer. The 46th U.S. Senior Open takes over Scioto Country Club from July 2-5, bringing the country's top players 50 and over to one of the most storied courses in American golf.
For anyone planning the trip, Columbus makes it easy to build a full weekend around the tournament.
Welcome to Championship Golf in Columbus
Columbus has a proven track record with major sporting events. The city has hosted the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Big Ten tournaments, and now welcomes back the U.S. Senior Open for the third time at Scioto.
Fans traveling in will find a city compact enough to navigate on a long weekend, with neighborhoods close to the course and a downtown worth spending time in after the rounds.
Explore more about golf in Columbus and what makes Central Ohio a natural home for the game.
What Fans Can Expect at the U.S. Senior Open
Scioto Country Club has been hosting USGA championships since 1926, when Bobby Jones won the U.S. Open on the same grounds. The course is maintained to championship standards and plays at its toughest during the Senior Open, with tight fairways and firm greens. Past champions at this event include Bernhard Langer, Steve Stricker, and Jim Furyk, and defending champion Padraig Harrington is in the field.
The atmosphere at a Senior Open is different from a standard PGA Tour event. Crowds tend to be knowledgeable and patient, and access to the ropes is generally closer than at larger stadium-style events. Expect long walks between holes, so comfortable shoes and sun protection matter.
Where to Stay for Easy Access to the Action
Upper Arlington has a few options, though most visitors stay in downtown Columbus or near the west side of the city. Downtown puts you within easy reach of the city's best restaurants and nightlife, and the drive out to Scioto each day is straightforward.
The Short North neighborhood, just north of downtown, has a mix of boutique hotels and easy access to High Street's restaurants, bars, and galleries. For those wanting a quieter base closer to the course, suburban hotels along the Route 315 corridor reduce the daily commute. Check the latest hotel availability through Experience Columbus.
Exploring Columbus Between Tee Times
German Village, about ten minutes south of downtown, is one of the most distinctive neighborhoods in Columbus. The area is built around 1800s-era brick row houses, and streets like Schiller Park and South 3rd are worth an afternoon on foot. Book Loft, housed in a 32-room Victorian warren, is a local institution.
A short walk north of German Village, the Brewery District sits along the Scioto River with a cluster of bars and restaurants in converted industrial buildings. For something more active between rounds, the Scioto Audubon Metro Park, also on the south side, has free climbing walls and river access. See more things to do sorted by how much time you have.
Where to Eat and Grab a Drink After the Course
Reservations at Short North restaurants fill up fast on summer weekends, so booking ahead is worth the effort.
The Brewery District and German Village are both solid for drinks after a long day on the course, with neighborhood bars and patio seating that suits a July evening. Browse Columbus dining options at Experience Columbus.
Getting Around During Tournament Week
Parking at Scioto Country Club will be limited during championship week, and the USGA typically runs shuttle service from off-site lots. Check the USGA's website for shuttle stop locations and parking passes well before you travel.
Rideshare to and from downtown works reliably during the day, though demand spikes after the final round each evening.
Make the Most of Your Columbus Golf Weekend
The tournament runs Thursday through Sunday, but arriving Wednesday gives you access to pro-am day and a less-crowded course walk. Extending the trip into Monday lets you catch the city on a quieter note: fewer crowds, easier restaurant reservations, and time to explore the neighborhoods at a slower pace.
Columbus has been hosting major championships long enough to know how to do it well. This summer's Senior Open is a chance to watch some of the best golfers in the world compete on a course with a century of championship history behind it. See what else Columbus Sports has going on this season and plan accordingly.