From Columbus to the U.S. Open: Vaughn Harber’s Story

From Columbus to the U.S. Open

A local golfer’s journey and the community behind him

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Qualifying for the U.S. Open is the kind of moment most college golfers spend years chasing and few ever reach.

For Vaughn Harber, a Columbus native, Ohio State golfer, and finance student at the Fisher College of Business, that moment became real this month. After earning his spot in the field at Shinnecock Hills, he’ll compete alongside some of the best players in the world on one of golf’s biggest stages.

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But like many opportunities at this level, getting there isn’t just about performance. It also comes with real logistical and financial demands.

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A Columbus Story, Start to Finish

Harber’s path to the U.S. Open is closely tied to the Columbus community.

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In addition to competing for Ohio State, he has spent time caddying at Scioto Country Club, one of the most historic courses in the country and a central part of the local golf community. It’s the kind of place where the game is passed down, relationships are built, and young players stay close to it however they can.

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That connection makes his U.S. Open qualification feel less like a distant achievement and more like a local milestone. One that reflects the broader ecosystem of people and places that helped him get there.

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Stepping Into the Opportunity

While Ohio State and the USGA provided support for the tournament, there were still expenses associated with travel and competing at this level.

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At VIUM, we stepped in to help cover part of those costs so Vaughn could focus on the experience ahead.

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During the tournament, Harber will wear the VIUM logo on his hat and shirt, a visible show of support for a local student-athlete competing on one of golf’s biggest stages.

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A Community That Shows Up 

Vaughn’s path reflects a wider network of support. Columbus has long had a strong connection to both golf and The Ohio State University. Scioto Country Club will also host the U.S. Senior Open next month, bringing another major championship back to the same community where Harber has been working and playing.

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Within VIUM, those local ties run deep as well. The firm is headquartered in Columbus, and many of its team members, including five of six partners, are Ohio State graduates. Those shared ties help make the story feel especially close to home.

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Investing in People

At its core, VIUM's work is about supporting people over time, whether that's a senior living community or a young student-athlete stepping onto a national stage. The goal is the same: to make the opportunity possible.

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That kind of support requires people who are willing to show up when a need arises or a new hurdle appears. For Vaughn Harber, that support helped remove a barrier so he could focus on competing. For Columbus, it's another reminder that local talent can reach a monumental stage when the community comes together.