THE TINLEY PARK GOLF SHOW is back this year from Feb. 7-8-9 at the Tinley Park Convention Center. Doors open on Friday at Noon, Friday admission is only $5.00, you can purchase tickets now at Tinleyparkconventioncenter.net. Weekend admission $10.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. GRIFFIN GATE Marriott Resort in Lexington Kentucky (L) and the third green on the resorts golf course, with the Marriott Hotel in the background of this 18 hole course.

Located right off of Interstate 64 Griffin Gate Marriott Resort, is right in the heart of Blue Grass Country in Kentucky. Just a short distance from one of America’s great horse racing oval’s Keeneland Race Course, the Griffin Gate resort is heading towards an exciting finish of it’s own at the wire.

Colin Gooch is Griffin Gate’s Director of Golf.

The long history of Griffin Gate is changing in the month’s ahead, as the resort has been sold, and new owners are coming in, and plan to make some serious improvements.

They will spend some serious money as ownership plans to improve the hotel, the spa and the golf course. While the hotel’s aging charm was starting to fade, Griffin Gate is still a comfortable place to relax and have some fun. If your a Marriott fan or rewards member, Griffin Gate is right near the highway and perfect place to pull over and spend a night, before getting back on the road the next day.

One of the several bridges located on the Griffin Gate Golf Club

Griffin Gate is a Rees Jones design, and Jones was back several years ago as part of a bunker renovation project.

As Gooch will tell you, Griffin Gate is a good course for golfers of all skill levels, but it also challenges all golfers regardless of ability.

The first hole is a par 5, that has some good elevation change after hitting from an elevated tee box. It’s not a long hole, under 500 yards from the back tees. But it’s not an easy starter for birdies and pars. If a bogey gets you on the first hole, a mid-range par 3 follows that gives the player another chance for par.

Click here to hear the interview with Griffin Gate golf professional Colin Gooch.

The third hole is a dogleg left, with the Marriott Hotel as the back drop. A good tee shot and second shot, puts the golfer in place with only a short iron needed to set up a birdie. The front nine has three par 3’s, three par 4’s, and three par 5’s. The par 3, 8th hole, has the golfer hitting from an elevated tee box, to an elevated green, from the fairway down below.

The back nine opens with a dogleg left par 5, that offers a risk-reward approach for the longer hitters, who want to go for the green over the water in two shots. While the back nine has a few more holes with homes off to the side, the houses sit back far enough where they stay out of play.

Multiple bunkers that surround the 18th green, test players wanting to finish with a good score. After your round is complete, there are comfortable indoor and outdoor 19th hole options. The pro shop sits behind the historic Griffin House, that is a great place for larger groups to meet. Griffin Gate does have a putting green, and nets for a pre-round warm up, but a not a full range. The fully stocked pro shop has everything golfers will need.

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So if your in Lexington for the horse racing, University of Kentucky events, check out the Griffin Gate Resort, currently part of Marriott, but that too will change in the months ahead. The golf is good, and the food and beverages are even better. Don’t leave town without trying the Kentucky Butter Cake, with a Bourbon Sauce that is really good. That hits the spot after any round of golf.

For more details on Griffin Gate Resort see Marriott.com or Griffingategolf.com.