Golf Depot Closes Its Doors

Golf Depot, a business staple in the Merced community for two decades, will shut its doors at the end of February following a series of break-ins. Owner Sandra Hayes said the last straw came when $50,000 worth of merchandise was stolen from her store on Christmas Eve, a time of year when sales usually peak. “Financially, it killed us,” she said. The family-owned business carries all the essentials for golfing, including balls, tees and bags, and also offers Nike Golf Camps and junior clinics.

Founder Barry Fromm, who died last month at age 68, had a vision of turning the former landfill into a large driving range, par-3 course, putting green and academy that would draw tourists from all over the Columbus area. And from 2009 to 2016, it did just that.

The facility is owned by the Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation, and a design review application was submitted to the city for a new golf academy building and parking on the site at 789 Science Blvd.

Tartan Management representatives told the Gahanna Planning Commission during a Feb. 11 meeting that the company plans to bring the historic train depot from Prospect to the golf course site in Gahanna and use it as a clubhouse. Tartan plans to use the original ticket window to collect greens fees, the representatives added.

They will also install a bar and restaurant and turn the old railroad platform into a cart path, with a putting green behind. The train depot is part of the Columbus, Hocking Valley and Toledo Railroad built in the 1800s. It was moved piece by piece from Prospect to 8911 Science Blvd. in Gahanna, where it will be rebuilt to be a feature of the new golf course, the planning commission was told.

The 9-hole golf course was designed by Hurdzan Fry Golf Course Design. The facility also hosts a variety of junior golf camps run by Coach Hammond, who has over 20 years of coaching experience. Each camp runs Monday through Friday, with morning instruction and afternoon play on the course. Camps are open to players of all skill levels, ages 9-17.