In case you’re pondering of travelling to Tampa or to Orlando sooner or later, then add some days onto your schedule and head to The Streamsong Resort. Writes Graham McKenzie
Positioned on a 16,000-acre former phosphate mining website close to Fort Meade, Florida. Sure, a former mine discipline has develop into one of many prime {golfing} locations in the entire of the USA and it’s solely a 45-minute drive from the key tourism sizzling spots of the sunshine state.
With its dramatic terrain of towering sand dunes, deep-water lakes, and expansive landscapes formed by mining operations, Streamsong gives a singular and fabulous {golfing} expertise.
The resort options three celebrated programs, Pink, Blue, and Black, has a fourth idea course known as the Chain and is growing a fifth course to develop its world-class choices.
HISTORY AND MINING HERITAGE
Streamsong’s land was as soon as a part of Florida’s “Bone Valley,” identified for prehistoric fossils. The Mosaic Firm, a serious phosphate provider, owned the location and used it for strip mining.
In 2012 firm executives, most likely golfers themselves, recognised the potential of the land’s distinctive contours and reworked it right into a golf resort paying homage to Scotland’s and Eire’s coastal hyperlinks programs. Actually not hyperlinks however however it’s a {golfing} paradise that blends industrial historical past with pure magnificence.
THE COURSES
RED
Designed by Invoice Coore and Ben Crenshaw, the Pink Course is an 18-hole masterpiece that challenges gamers with its dramatic landforms and strategic design.
It was the primary one I performed, and it’s an absolute delight with the elevation modifications, quick greens, as a result of Bermuda grass, and really intelligent design making an allowance for the abundance of hazards each stable and liquid.
The opening par-4 is a particular problem in case your sport of the tee is lower than snuff because it requires an extended carry over water whereas the shorter holes present scoring alternatives.
BLUE
Tom Doak designed the Blue Course with a minimalist strategy that emphasizes pure contours extensive fairways lined with wild grasses, huge irregular bunkers formed by wind, and undulating greens.
BLACK
The Black Course by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner is presently the daddy of all of them. A par-73 championship course stretching 7,331 yards with 5 par-5s of various lengths. With among the greatest greens in golf that appear to go on for ever, dramatic elevation modifications and bomb crater bunkers. Its not a course for anyone with a nasty slice.
THE CHAIN
Opened in 2023 as an modern brief course designed by Coore & Crenshaw it has , unusually 19 holes that vary from 90 yards to 240 yards. Usually used as a ‘’enjoyable’ course or as a warmup it gives a singular problem and will be performed by people of various ability ranges as you’ll be able to select your personal tee off place.
Sounds weird nevertheless it does work and is a golf course of immense high quality. Diverting from the inventive naming routine of primary colors from the remainder of Streamsong the chain known as such after the tools used on the previous mining space.
NEW COURSE
The story doesn’t finish there although as David McLay Kidd, of Bandon Dunes fame, is designing Streamsong’s fifth course.
If precedent is something to go by it will likely be known as Inexperienced or Yellow however we might all be stunned. Chatting with ‘these within the know’ it’s anticipated to be the longest course on the resort, dunes and ridges will characteristic closely however designed in such a option to benefit from the wind that may have an effect on this a part of Florida.
We’re not speaking a 55mph easterly on the shores of the North Sea however a delicate breeze that may alter your membership choice and mess along with your mind.
It should definitely be situated between Pink and Black programs so possibly it will likely be known as Roulette and can share the identical magnificent membership home that provides vista over not simply the property however proper throughout this a part of Florida.
So, in case you are coming to play Golf right here, and why play just one course when quickly 5 can be out there, there may be an possibility to remain over and benefit from the amenities.
Streamsong gives luxurious lodging to enhance its golf amenities. Streamsong Lodge is a 216-room lodge that includes eating places, a spa, rooftop lounge, health centre, and lakeside pool.
The Clubhouse is a smaller facility with 12 guestrooms, a golf store, and a steakhouse-themed restaurant. If you’re travelling with non-golfers, there are different actions out there. Guided bass fishing, mountain climbing trails, fowl watching, and sporting clays.
With out over egging it Streamsong Resort is redefining a golf break in Florida by remodeling an industrial website into a unprecedented {golfing} vacation spot.
With its present programs ranked among the many finest within the U.S. and its upcoming fifth course promising much more pleasure, Streamsong continues to draw gamers from across the globe. It stands as a testomony to modern design and sustainable land use.
For additional data go to www.streamsongresort.com
