In the event 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 web site close to Fort Meade, Florida. Sure, a former mine area has grow to be one of many prime {golfing} locations in the entire of the USA and it’s solely a 45-minute drive from the key tourism scorching 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 novel and fabulous {golfing} expertise.
The resort options three celebrated programs, Crimson, Blue, and Black, has a fourth idea course referred to as the Chain and is growing a fifth course to increase its world-class choices.
HISTORY AND MINING HERITAGE
Streamsong’s land was as soon as a part of Florida’s “Bone Valley,” recognized for prehistoric fossils. The Mosaic Firm, a serious phosphate provider, owned the positioning and used it for strip mining.
In 2012 firm executives, most likely golfers themselves, recognised the potential of the land’s distinctive contours and remodeled it right into a golf resort harking back to Scotland’s and Eire’s coastal hyperlinks programs. Definitely 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 Crimson 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, because of the Bermuda grass, and really intelligent design considering the abundance of hazards each strong and liquid.
The opening par-4 is a particular problem in case your recreation of the tee is less 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 huge 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 at the moment the daddy of all of them. A par-73 championship course stretching 7,331 yards with 5 par-5s of various lengths. With a number of the largest 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 revolutionary 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 novel problem and will be performed by people of various talent ranges as you possibly can select your individual tee off place.
Sounds weird however it does work and is a golf course of immense high quality. Diverting from the artistic naming routine of fundamental colors from the remainder of Streamsong the chain is named 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 referred to as Inexperienced or Yellow however we might all be shocked. Talking to ‘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 solution to profit from the wind that may have an effect on this a part of Florida.
We aren’t speaking a 55mph easterly on the shores of the North Sea however a mild breeze that may alter your membership choice and mess together with your mind.
It would definitely be situated between Crimson and Black programs so possibly it will likely be referred to 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, if you’re coming to play Golf right here, and why play just one course when quickly 5 shall be obtainable, there may be an choice to remain over and benefit from the services.
Streamsong gives luxurious lodging to enhance its golf services. 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 obtainable. Guided bass fishing, mountain climbing trails, chook watching, and sporting clays.
With out over egging it Streamsong Resort is redefining a golf break in Florida by remodeling an industrial web site into a rare {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 revolutionary design and sustainable land use.
For additional data go to www.streamsongresort.com
