Charles Sims holds the GRAA award for Links & Tee’s Golf Facility in Addison, which is a multiple time Golf Range Association winner. See Addisonparks.org or call (630)-233-7275 for more information, the golf dome’s open. Andy Mickelson of Mistwood Golf Club and the home of McWethy’s Tavern on Renwick Road Mcwethystavern.com, kisses the Taylor Made national championship trophy. Call Mistwood Golf Club at (815)-254-3333. Congrat’s Andy on yet another win, and this one coming on Pebble Beach Golf Links.     ______________________________________________________________________                                                                                                                                              The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content.. On the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort (Part of the Salamander Resort Chain) in Palm Harbor Florida, home of this weeks PGA Tour Valspar Championship, defending champion is Jordan Spieth. Follow Rory now on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.       ______________________________________________________________________

  Illinois Alum Steve Stricker sits tied for lead at 5 under par after 36 holes of the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook. Packard’s Steakhouse in the Copperhead Course Clubhouse is a tribute to longtime golf architect Larry Packard who designed the courses at Innisbrook. Packard passed away at the age of 101 back in 2014.

Innisbrook is part of the Salamander Resort chain that operates under the direction of Sheila Johnson. Johnson’s commitment to both the overall property and golf, has again made Innisbrook and the Salamander Resorts award winning resort destinations.

Innisbrook has four golf courses. The North, the South, the Island and Copperhead, that just came out of a multi-million dollar renovation. The PGA Tour touring professionals are enjoying that while competing this week. The Copperhead Course is home to the “Snake Pit” that is comprised of the course’s final three holes 16-17-18. Sixteen is a par 4, dogleg right that must be played around water. If your drive goes long you can run through the fairway and into the trees. Seventeen is a long and well-bunkered par 3 hole. Eighteen requires a straight drive and an approach to a green that is tucked back along the trees, and in the mounds and bunkers. It’s false front can leave approach shots rolling back into the fairway. Survive the Snake-Pit and your round should be a good one.

The trophy room greets visitors when they check in at the Osprey Clubhouse.

The Copperhead Course plays to a par of 71, and the back tee’s sit at 7,340 yards.

The Island Course weaves past Lake Innisbrook and other ponds on the front nine. The back nine is seeing some very large homes going up around some of the holes.

Some holes are narrow and it’s best to leave the driver in the bag, strategic plays off both the 9th and 18th tee’s are important so your ball stays dry both on your tee shot, and into both greens. A good score here shows a golfer is on his her game that day. The course is 7,310 yards and plays to a par of 71.

The par 3, 8th hole on the Island Course plays uphill, and demands more club than most golfers think.

The North Course is not long at only 6,325 yards from the tips. But it’s par is just 70 and the course requires some good shot making to score.

The South Course plays longer at Par 71, and 6,620 yards but can play challenging because of the winds that flow through the course right off the Gulf of Mexico.

There are three pro shops where golfers can shop for top brands in merchandise, or dine before or after golf. Of course there is a practice range, which is centrally located between all four of the courses.

Comfortable villa’s run throughout the resort, here in the St. Andrews building guests get a view through the curtains onto the Copperhead Course.

Accommodations come in the forms of rooms or suites. There are three different sized suites, along with deluxe guest rooms.

Need more, well there is plenty more.

How about the 12,000 Square Foot Salamander Spa that has 12 treatment rooms, and there is a over 4,000 square foot state-of-the-art fitness center.

There are several options for dining all day long around the resort, or if you need a quiet evening, there is room service until midnight. The resort has six swimming pools, including Loch Ness that is complete with a sand beach,waterfalls and two waterslides.

On the business side Innisbrook is completely prepared to handle your groups of up to 1,000. There is over 65,000 square feet of meeting room space and a 22,000 square foot grand ballroom for special events and over 8,000 square feet for trade shows.

There are plenty of other activities offered by the resort from tennis, volleyball, racquetball and fishing trips out into the gulf.

The Halfway House Indoor Simulator Golf, located at 555. S. York Road in Elmhurst, play over 90 courses worldwide. Halfwayhousegolf.com or call (331)-642-8050.

The resort is just north of the Tampa area, and activities held in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater are not far away. The Tampa airport is a 30 minute drive from the resort.

For more information on the Innisbrook Resort please call (800)-492-6899 or online see Innisbrookgolfresort.com. For information on other Salamander resort properties you can visit Salamanderhotels.com.

Some of the other Salamander Properties in the Florida are the Reunion Resort in Orlando, minutes from Disney World, or the Hammock Beach hotel located on the Atlantic Ocean in Palm Coast Florida just south of the St. Augustine/Jacksonville area. Not far from the World Golf Hall of Fame.