ARNIE USED TO LOVE HITTING THE PUTTING GREEN-You should too at The Shack Indoor Golf Club in Glenview. Four new simulators are getting ready to open soon. So book your hitting bay and enjoy golf fun at The Shack. Call (847)-904-2905.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf, follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect-LinkedIn/Facebook/Instagram.

Christopher Walling is the VP-Operations and Managing Director of Innisbrook.

THE 2024 VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP is coming soon. But Innisbrook will be ready.

So with other Florida golf properties adding courses, opening new courses and creating new buzz, Innisbrook Resort is not being left behind. They are getting ready for Valspar week on the PGA Tour by creating a buzz of their own.

Because the resort that anchors the end of the PGA Tour’s “Florida Swing”, is swinging away at getting bigger and better. There is no back-seat setting in at Tarpon Springs.

Christopher Walling is the new Vice President of Operations & Managing Director of Innisbrook Resort. Walling knows he has “big shoes” to fill replacing retiring Executive Director Mike Williams, but is ready for the challenge.

THE TIME IS NOW to hit the simulators at the Schaumburg Golf Club at 401 North Roselle Road in Schaumburg. Just minutes from Woodfield Mall. The clubhouse improvements are done and the golf is back. Chandlers Chophouse is open as well. So book a bay at Schaumburggolf.com or call (847)-855-9000. The clubhouse is stocking up for the season ahead, so be ready to fill-up your golf bag and the season ahead. But you can play the SGC now live, or other Top 100 Courses.

But Walling is just rolling up his sleeves as the projects begin.

Because before the PGA Tour arrives in March, plenty of resort guests will come to stay and play at the resort.

Starting on the food and beverage side the resort’s longtime famed Packard’s Steakhouse, still sits at a temporary location on the resort property.

But moving forward at good speed is the renovation of Packard’s. Originally after closing early last summer, the hope was for Packard’s to reopen in it’s old location next to the Copperhead pro shop.

But that has not happened yet, with the opening date planned for early next month. But Packard’s is expected to host special events during Valspar week.

  PACKARD’S STEAKHOUSE named after the great course designer Larry Packard. Packard who created all four of the golf courses at Innisbrook, is under full renovation at the resort. But will reopen shortly. Yes-of course Packard’s red tartan American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) jacket will have a place in the new restaurant.

  THE WORK CONTINUES in the newly rebuilt and expanded Copperhead Pro Shop (L) expected to reopen in early March. (R) The resorts famed Stirling Ballroom has been refinished with new carpeting, painting, chandeliers and more. It is now open for hosting large meetings and other special events.

Toll Brothers construction teams are clearing land that was formerly nine holes of the resorts North Course.

The north end of the resort is seeing some changes as well.

Currently Innisbrook is only a 63-hole golf property, after being 72-holes for many years.

Toll Brothers is clearing 9-holes of the North Course, and that land will be used for a new housing development.

But for golfers that are looking for what’s new on the golf side of things. Innisbrook is still moving forward on having a par-3 golf course. When that happens-the golf hole count will return to 72, OR maybe even a few more. So stay tuned for announcements regarding the building of the resorts newest course, and who will design the course.

  (L) NORTH SHORE GOLFERS from 8a to 3p Monday to Friday the Willow Hill Golf Dome plays home to the biggest indoor golf range in the Chicago area, at over 150 yards long. So visit WillowHillDome.com for more information, on hours, golf lessons and more special events. (R) Welcome to the Valspar Championship coming up next month at Innisbrook. See a strong field of PGA Tour professionals try and tame the Copperhead Golf Course, and conquer the closing holes known as “The Snake-Pit.”

Hospitality tent set up is well underway on Copperhead for the Valspar Championship.

But while all the current upgrades are going on Innisbrook, other changes from recent years are taking hold.

Those changes have been being enjoyed by resort guests, home owners and other visitors to the property.

Because over the last several years, room improvements have taken place across the entire resort. Rooms have been updated and modernized to current standards and expectations of all who stay on property. Golf membership plans have been added and upgraded.

CLICK HERE to hear the full interview with Innisbrook’s new VP of Operations and Managing Director Chris Walling-on everything Innisbrook.

SO IF YOUR LOOKING for a fun place to spring break, will relaxing and enjoying some golf. Visit InnisbrookgolfResort.com or call (888)-794-8627. Innisbrook Resort is part of the Salamander Group Collection, of destination properties and luxury hotels.