Part office, part museum, all incredible

Rembrandt. If you were ever forced to endure an art history class in college, the professor probably mentioned the 17th century Dutch master on the first day of class before he even got his beret and scarf off.

What does he have to do with golf?  Not a whole lot really, but he did produce an etching entitled The Golf Player. What does that have to do with this column? I actually got to see it, among many other amazing pieces at the offices of Hurdzan Golf in Columbus, Ohio.

Dr. Mike Hurdzan is not only a well known architect with several courses appearing in all of “The Lists” and the 2013 Old Tom Morris Award winner, he’s an avid collector of golf memorabilia.

Actually, “memorabilia” doesn’t even seem like the right word. Memorabilia, to me, conjures images of old pennants, bobblehead dolls and autographed pictures. Believe me, this collection far surpasses that.

Let it be known that there is no way for me to adequately describe this collection in the space I am allotted. After several vain attempts to do so, I’ve come to terms with the fact that a general overview, with highlights mixed in, will have to suffice. Maybe it’s better that way, so if you ever have a chance to see it for yourself, you too can be blown away by the magnitude of it all.

The 5,000-square-foot building occupied by Hurdzan Golf is most accurately described as a functional museum. The offices and common areas of the building all serve their traditional purposes, while also serving as mini galleries for the artifacts, artwork, literature and ephemera that Dr. Hurdzan has amassed over nearly 50 years of collecting.

In addition, the building houses a functioning hickory golf club repair shop (which is probably a necessity when you own thousands of them) and an unbelievable library, packed with hundreds of volumes on golf history. As you might expect from a former superintendent and practicing architect, many deal with golf course maintenance and architecture.

The collection includes original writings, drawings, field sketches and notes by some of the most famed architects of the Golden Age, including MacKenzie, Ross, Tillinghast, MacDonald, Colt and Raynor. While there were literally dozens of highlights in the library alone, two of the most impressive involve the great Alister Mackenzie.

One is a map of the Old Course inscribed “To my friend A.W. Tillinghast, from A. MacKenzie.” The other is a hand written document that contains sketches and notes of all 18 greens at Augusta, penned by MacKenzie. Dr. Hurdzan found this piece tucked into the back of a book acquired for the collection, unknown to both him and seller. I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention the almost complete set of Golfdom Magazine issues, dating back to the first volume published in 1927. That’s right, this is no fly-by-night publication you’re reading.

Even the exterior is cool. There is a rather impressive artificial grass green and chipping area, complete with a bunker. Every parking space in the lot has a sign reserving it for a pro golfer, famous architect or other golf course industry professional (i.e. head pro, caddymaster, etc.). Glaring omission: no reserved parking for Assistant Superintendents. So I took Tiger’s spot.

I am by no means an experienced golf collection reviewer, if such a thing exists, but I can tell you one thing for sure: This place is nothing short of amazing. Dr. Hurdzan is unbelievably accommodating and more than willing to give anyone the full tour — after all, I got in. As he told me when I set up my tour, his only requirement is that you love golf.

So if you’re reading this magazine, you surely qualify.