Winding Hollow a private club for the public in central Ohio

NEW ALBANY, Ohio -- Like its name suggests, Winding Hollow has taken a few turns along the path to where it is today: An excellent public golf course with unlimited potential.

Winding Hollow opened in 1992 as a private club 15 miles northeast of Columbus before closing its doors in 2007. It reopened later that year but continued to struggle. Last year, the parent company, New Albany Co., began pumping money into the place to unlock its charms.

Infrastructure like cart paths and bathrooms have been updated, as has the sprawling 4,000-square-foot clubhouse. A bunker renovation that began last summer will be completed later this year. Plans are also underway to cure drainage issues.

"If you look with glasses into the future, this place can be special," said Justin Armour, the head professional at Winding Hollow. "We are starting to polish it up."

The 6,870-yard layout, which is good enough to host U.S. Amateur qualifiers, remains among the best tests of golf in central Ohio. Trees provide an intimate experience for players and punish their scorecards, too.

Member Chip Ferguson, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, said the golf course "has a lot of teeth."

"It is really peaceful," he said of the setting. "Every hole has its personality. I would rate it in the top five courses in Columbus. They are doing a lot with this place."