Streamsong Resort makes a splash at its golf grand opening in central Florida

STREAMSONG, Fla. – Streamsong Resort officially made its transformation from a hole in the ground to one of Florida’s best golf destinations with its grand opening outing on Jan. 26.

It was a first-class affair put on by KemperSports – which manages the resort’s two courses – and The Mosaic Company, which had the vision to develop the former mining site in the first place.

Several of golf’s biggest names were in attendance, including former USGA Executive Director David Fay, architect David McLay Kidd and Mike Keiser, the brains behind Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon and Cabot Links in Canada.

The biggest celebrities, though, were the architects of Streamsong’s two courses: Tom Doak of Renaissance Golf Design and Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore of Coore & Crenshaw. The trio held a press conference in the ultra-modern clubhouse before heading outside to hit three ceremonial first tee shots on Coore & Crenshaw’s Red course. Check out Crenshaw’s shot in the photo above.

It’s not easy to find Streamsong – built on approximately 16,000 acres of former phosphate mining land about 50 minutes south of Lakeland and 1 hour, 45 minutes from Orlando in Polk County. However, it’s well worth the effort. Once the luxury hotel opens up by November, this place will join KemperSport’s other high-profile venues – Bandon Dunes, The Prairie Club in Nebraska and Cabot Links – as must-plays in remote locals.

I played Doak’s Blue course, a wonderfully playable and thoughtful layout. The sandy soil of both the intertwined Red and the Blue courses plays firm and fast, and they’re already in great shape. The sprawling, baffling greens, covered in MiniVerde™ Ultra Dwarf Bermudagrass, were impeccable and fast as lightning. Not even the best of the caddies recently hired have figured them out yet.

The highlight was probably the drop shot over water and into the dunes of the seventh hole, which already ranks as one of the best par-3s in all of the state. I can’t wait to come back and check out the Red course and the hotel, which will include 216 luxury guest rooms, a conference center, full-service spa, lakeside pool, casual and fine dining, hiking and birding trails, tennis, guided bass fishing and a sporting clays range.

The golf clubhouse, designed by Alfonso Architects, already features 12 guest rooms (designed to accommodate 16 guests); meeting space, a steakhouse with private dining, lounge and golf shop.

I’m sure a lot of golfers who visit will have a similar reaction. If you get a taste of what Streamsong has to offer, it will call you back again. For more, check out Brandon Tucker’s insights here.