COLUMBUS, Ohio — The U.S. Senior Open is bringing some of the biggest names in golf to Columbus this week.
For the third time ever and the first time since 2016, Scioto Country Club is hosting the tournament.
This year’s field contains six World Golf Hall of Famers and four Ohio natives.
For Dayton native Rik Cramer, the road to the U.S. Senior Open couldn’t have been scripted any better.
“Last fall our tournament director for our local association called and asked if we wouldn’t mind hosting it, and I said surely let’s do it here,” said Rik Cramer, a professional golfer.
Not only did Cramer help host a qualifier at the course where he works as a pro, he took advantage of the familiar surroundings, earning one of the coveted spots in this week’s championship at Scioto Country Club.
Now, he’s embracing another opportunity to compete on home soil.
“It’s really cool that all the qualifiers leading up to this and the open being here in Ohio, it’s great, it’s lined up really well for me,” Cramer said.
As players get their practice rounds in at Scioto, Cramer says he’s settling into one of Ohio’s most historic golf courses while preparing for the biggest tournament of his senior career.
“It’s been great to experience this golf course; it’s such a great golf course. It’s very pure, it’s playing great, super hot so trying to get accustomed to that. Drinking lots of water trying to get hydrated for the next few days,” Cramer said.
The Columbus area has long been known for producing championship-caliber golf courses. It’s something Akron native and former Ohio State golfer, Ryan Armour knows well.
Having played at Muirfield, Scarlet and Scioto, he doesn’t take it for granted.
“It’s just, I don’t know what the word to describe it is; it’s a special place. It is. In the history of the game, the greatest player who ever played grew up playing and practicing here. To be in a major metropolitan area this close to downtown, this close to a major university, it’s just a really special place,” said Ryan Armour, a professional golfer.
For Cramer, playing in front of family, friends and fellow Ohioans adds even more meaning to the week. And after qualifying at his home course, he hopes to carry that confidence into the championship.
“What a really cool opportunity to have this in Ohio, very proud to be here, represent the local state and make everybody proud. We’ll see if I can make a good showing,” Cramer said.
Practice rounds continue on Wednesday before the first round of the tournament starts on Thursday.