Marriott Golf, the world’s largest resort golf management company, announced that Ryan Roche has been named director of golf at Marriott’s Griffin Gate Resort, featuring a Rees Jones designed Championship golf course located in Lexington, Ky.
A member of the Marriott family for seven years, and a Class A Member of the PGA, Roche brings his experience to Griffin Gate where he will be responsible for managing all golf operations including food & beverage operations, group outings business, sales & marketing initiatives, and more.
Roche comes to Griffin Gate from Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Country Club, a 27-hole facility located in Rancho Mirage, Calif., where he served as head golf professional, and then director of golf operations. Prior to his time at Ranchos Las Palmas, Roche served as head golf professional at Marriott Golf’s Royal St. Kitts Golf Club, located on the island of St. Kitts in the West Indies.
Roche began his career with Marriott in 1999 as the assistant golf professional at Shadow Ridge Resort, located in Palm Desert, Calif. During his time at Shadow Ridge, which features a Nick Faldo designed Championship course and one of four Faldo Golf Institutes in the U.S., Roche became a Faldo Certified Instructor.
“I am thrilled to continue my work with Marriott, and look forward to serving as the Director of Golf at Marriott’s Griffin Gate Resort,” said Roche. “My tenure with Marriott has enabled me to gain invaluable experience at some of the Company’s premier golf facilities, so I am well prepared for the exciting challenges and responsibilities ahead.”
Roche graduated from Ferris State University with a B.S. in Marketing, with an emphasis on Professional Golf Management.
