In 1969, Perry Park, Kentucky, welcomed a brand-new golf club: Glenwood Hall Golf & Country Club. Over the next 10 years, the club’s popularity steadily rose, to the point where even Arnold Palmer was invited to play.
Unfortunately, Glenwood Hall experienced a sharp decline in the 1980s and 1990s as it weathered financial issues. When a new owner purchased the club in the late 1990s, it was rebranded to Perry Park Golf Resort and has experienced a rise in popularity since then.
The main reasons? Well, there are actually 27 of them. In all, the club now has 27 holes, spread across three nine-hole layouts. One nine-hole course is known as Antlers. Comprised of holes from Glenwood Hall Golf & Country Club’s original 18, Antlers is known for its simultaneous beauty and challenges.
“There are tons of undulations and a lot of slope,” stresses Sean O’Daniel, general manager. “The course is located alongside a wood line as well, resulting in its challenges and fantastic views.”
Ask any golfer that has played the Antlers course regularly, and they’ll likely tell you that one hole especially stands out: Hole 8. A par-4 that’s 454 yards long from the tips, it will test even the most skilled drivers. Why? Its fairway is extremely narrow, with numerous trees on both sides.
“Antlers is 3,442 yards long from the back tees,” O’Daniel says. “A par-36, it may not seem to be very long in this day and age. But don’t let that fool you. There are plenty of challenges on each hole, and you must be a patient shot maker to score well.”
Two other gorgeous layouts
Perry Park Golf Resort’s two other championship courses, the nine-hole Buckskin and the nine-hole Whitetail, offer no shortage of stunning views of the Kentucky foothills. Measuring 3,708 yards long from the back tees, Buckskin is the resort’s longest layout. Yet, interestingly, it’s also its tightest course, as each fairway is quite narrow.
“To say the least, Buckskin is our most daunting layout,” O’Daniel says. “It will challenge golfers of all skill levels, including those with decades of experience.”
Another naturally pristine course, Buckskin is Perry Park’s newest course as well, as it’s been offering golfers daunting holes since opening in 2006. For instance, two of its holes are nestled on the Kentucky River. Consequently, golfers will have several views of nature at its finest, as they strive to avoid losing their balls. However, this is easier said than done as six of Buckskin’s holes have water hazards.
“To test golfers even more, Buckskin also has small, undulating greens,” O’Daniel adds. “In fact, its greens are smaller than the resort’s other two courses’ greens.”
Much like Antlers, Perry Park’s final nine-hole course, known as Whitetail, features holes from Glenwood Hall Golf & Country Club’s original layout. Roughly 20 years ago, some of the original holes on the course were rerouted though, due to Buckskin’s development.
A relatively flat course, Whitetail will challenge golfers with its water hazards, which can be found on nearly half of its holes. But there is good news for golfers who are concerned about the hazards: its greens are arguably Perry Park’s easiest.
“Whitetail’s greens are some of the largest not only in the area, but arguably throughout the entire Bluegrass State,” O’Daniel says.
Small town living near big cities
Located practically in the middle of nowhere, Perry Park Golf Resort is renowned for its peacefulness. When guests travel to the resort, they often visit for two main reasons: its fantastic 27 holes and unbelievable Kentucky foothills views.
Another key motivation for travelers – especially those who visit from outside of Kentucky – is that despite its proximity to three large cities, the resort is extremely quiet.
“Perry Park is only about an hour from Cincinnati, Lexington and Louisville,” O’Daniel emphasizes. “As a result, it offers guests small town living near big cities.”
He adds, “Guests—perhaps like you—appreciate that the resort provides the best of both worlds: proximity to city life and the tranquility that’s associated with being away from it all.”