Safari Golf Club

Safari Golf Club sits in Powell, a suburb northwest of Columbus, Ohio, and represents one of Dr. Michael Hurdzan's residential-community designs from the region where he built much of his early reputation. Hurdzan, an Ohio State graduate who earned a doctorate in turfgrass science before turning to architecture, has long emphasized environmental sensitivity and playability across skill levels in his work. Safari reflects this approach with routing that works within the property's natural topography rather than imposing dramatic earthmoving. The course serves a private residential community and features the rolling terrain characteristic of central Ohio, with mature tree corridors defining holes and occasional elevation changes providing strategic interest. Hurdzan's design philosophy typically incorporates multiple tee sets to accommodate different playing abilities, and his agronomic background often results in courses with strong turf conditions and sustainable maintenance practices. The layout likely emphasizes strategic options off the tee and around greens rather than penal hazards, consistent with Hurdzan's broader body of work. As a community-centered club in suburban Columbus, Safari functions primarily as a family-oriented facility where members balance recreational golf with social activities. The course provides a home venue for local players without the formality or extensive tournament history associated with the region's older championship layouts. It represents the type of thoughtful, environmentally conscious design that became Hurdzan's signature across numerous projects in the Midwest.