Ronald-I will give you my thoughts on some Central Ohio courses but, if at all possible, take David Royer up on his kind offer to play Brookside. It is a terrific golf course with a great routing, interesting greens and a good test. It fits in comfortably just below the more well known private clubs in the Columbus area (The Golf Club, Muirfield Village, Scioto and Double Eagle).
Using Pickerington as a base:
Within 10 miles: The only course in Pickerington itself is TURNBERRY, an Arthur Hills design owned by the City of Columbus. Not that good and a bit overpriced. I have played it many times and nothing stands out here. Much better and right next door in Reynoldsburg is BLACKLICK WOODS, a good public course refined by Jody Kinney a few years ago. Easy to walk and a fun track. In Canal Winchester, there is WESTCHESTER, a Hurdzan/Fry design. The front nine is lined with houses. The more interesting back nine is secluded and sits across the road. The final three holes are very strong. In Etna, there is CUMBERLAND TRAILS, another Hurdzan/Fry course. Very similar to Westchester (front nine with housing, back nine more isolated). The routing is a bit awkward (especially where the property butts up against an elementary school and there is a huge net to prevent wayward drives from bonking the kids on the playground). It may have (condition wise) the best greens among Central Ohio publics. They are fast and true.
Within 15 miles: EAST (formerly Tartan East, formerly Winding Hollow II), an Art Hills design. I give it more love than the posts I have seen here. It is challenging, has good shot values and the conditioning has improved over the past two years (it lay dormant for a while after the private Winding Hollow closed).
Within 20 miles: CHAMPIONS (formerly Winding Hollow I), owned by the City of Columbus. It is a very good Herbert Strong/Robert Trent Jones hybrid. Great routing, very challenging and terrific greensites. Never that crowded during the week. In a less desirable part of Columbus inside the 270 outerbelt...even though it is only a few minutes from the Mecca of Columbus shopping: Easton Town Center.
Within 25 miles: GRANVILLE, originally designed by Donald Ross. My #1 recommenation for public golf in Central Ohio. Four holes have been sacrificed for housing and are out of character with the originals but the Ross that remains is very good. Great terrain, interesting small greens and fairly easy to walk. RAYMOND MEMORIAL is a Robert Trent Jones design on the West side of Columbus. Not as compelling or interesting as Champions but not bad either. It is a Columbus muni so it can be very busy.
Within 30 miles: FOXFIRE PLAYERS CLUB in Lockbourne has been mentioned by others. I am not as enamored of it as the previous posts. To me, it is a very demanding golf course that is utterly charmless. It is a hybrid of newer holes combined with existing holes from the original Foxfire course. There are a lot of target aspects to the new holes. Most people remember the stretch from 14-16 (pre-existing holes) but to me they are claustrophobically tight and in need of some serious tree removal. The last two holes are utterly forgettable You may want to play it and decide for yourself.
Within 35 miles: SPLIT ROCK in Orient is a Hurdzan/Fry design. Pleasant golf course, a nice laid back atmosphere but nothing too memorable.
Within 40 miles: LONGABERGER is in Nashport. This Art Hills design tends to polarize opinion on GCA. A decent golf course on terrific terrain. It is pretty reasonable to play it now (I have seen for as low as $50 on the last minute tee time sites like Golfnow.com). This may be the best time to try it and see what you think.
Within 50 miles: EAGLESTICKS is in Zanesville. Hurdzan/Fry did a nice job shoe horning a good golf course into a small site. Some very good holes here.
If you want some company, IM me. If my schedule works out, I would love to talk Buffalo golf with you.