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Story and photos by Jason Bruno
Just over a year after the official opening of Streamsong Resort's third
layout - Gil Hanse's Black Course, we returned to the resort to check
out the scene at the only destination on earth that can lay claim to a
portfolio of linksy landscapes crafted by the design teams of Tom Doak,
Coore Crenshaw and Hanse (with Jim Wagner).
By now you probably already know the story, but for us it began back in
May of 2012 when we toured the Red & Blue courses with original Project
Manager Tom Sunnarborg during the turf grow-in period (8 months before
the official opening), it was obvious that Streamsong was already well
beyond extraordinary long before a round had ever been played. It's been
nearly six years since we watched Coore, Crenshaw, Doak (and the man
with the vision behind it all) Mosaic's Rich Mack hit the ceremonial opening
tee shots. Sandscapes draped with enormous dunes left to evolve in nature
after phosphate mining was completed several decades ago - discarded by
one industry only to become a masterpiece in another. All themed in width
and angles on the firmest Bermuda turf you could imagine. For any avid
linkster either living in or traveling to the Sunshine State, it was and still
is hard to fathom this was even a possibility in Central Florida, and perhaps
the best part - Rich Mack made sure that it was accessible to everyone who
could make the trek to this remote location in Polk County.
After the initial opening of those 36 holes and the resort's lodge, Streamsong
could have rested on the accolades (both Red & Blue courses reaching Top
100 ranking status), but they didn't. Mack's vision moved forward another
notch, hiring Hanse to design the Black Course, which was largely a flat
parcel that lacked the built-in features given to Doak and Coore/Crenshaw
previously. What came out of the process was a big and bold Aussie sandbelt
style design, a two-acre putting course called "The Gauntlet" and 7 hole par 3
gem dubbed the "The Roundabout". It's an obsessed golfers dream hangout,
an anything goes practice spot that can be played from different tees to a
variety of hole locations. Easily one of our new personal favorite vibes in golf.
As pure as it gets, this par 3 playground allows and encourages Play
from any teeing ground to the target you desire. We could have spent
an entire day on Gil Hanse's eclectic 1,688 yard 7 hole beauty. The fourth
hole pictured above is the longest of the lot playing 160 yds over a gully
that fronts the green.
For those who have yet to visit the resort, allow for some links creativity in
your game. Although not a true links entity based on its inland location, the
3 routings provide plenty of proper "ground game" options. High spinning
lob wedge shots around these green complexes are often the toughest to pull
off, especially when a flatstick can be used from nearly anywhere within
50 yards. The likelihood of losing a golf ball is slim due to very generous
fairway widths throughout. Playability and options keep all players in the
game, while rewarding those with the skill set to pull off shots that reward
a better angle of approach. Firm and fast is the theme here, tight lies are
the norm, and although each layout at the resort has evolved from the same
minimalist ethos, that's where the similarities end. Each differs in how it
challenges you to score.
Blue 10th green complex
The Blue is a bombers paradise, but inside 100 yards and on the par 3's it's
a completely different story. Extreme bunkering that guards many tucked pin
locations requires a deft combination of pinpoint accuracy and creativity on
Doak's large confounding surfaces. This combined with tight Bermuda lies
in greenside swales makes saving par the exam equivalent of trying to destroy
a horcrux. For those who are genuine links enthusiasts or who want to express
their inner "Seve", the Blue is likely your flavor of choice.
Biarritz par 3 - 16th on the Red Course
The Red has been called by many as their favorite routing at the resort, and
with good reason. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw created a superb blend of
visual stimuli from each tee box, all while challenging the ball striker in you
at the same time. The green surrounds require a fair bit of imagination, but
without torturing your scorecard. If you strike it relatively well, you will have
chances to score all day on the Red. Holes 15 thru 18 are without a doubt
the best closing stretch at Streamsong. After numerous trips around each
over the last half dozen years, the Red has emerged as my personal choice.
Punchbowl 9th on the Black
Black 12th
Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner's Black Course is every bit as unique as the first
two designs at the resort, perhaps even more so. The vibe at the Black
Course complex (which is located just a brief 2 minute ride from the lodge)
is one the great scenes in American resort golf. The streamlined horizontal
clubhouse framed in black is home to the Pro Shop & Bone Valley Tavern.
The "Gauntlet" (a two putting course), along with the "Roundabout" and
driving range are all also part of the expansive Black Course compound.
As for the course design, it very well may be the best and most memorable
at the resort. Similar to Blue in that each challenge comes as you get closer
to your target, the green surrounds and putting surfaces on the Black are all
one height of cut (meaning the greens will appear and play larger than anything
you've probably ever previously seen or experienced. After our second spin on
the Black, I understand what many have expressed to me regarding their
frustration with the scale and severity of the greens undulations. Colleague
Ryan Adams (PGA Magazine) and I agreed that the Hanse team may need to
come back and modify a half dozen or so greens (for example the magnificent
uphill par 3 - 5th has very few truly playable pin locations, and the par 4 - 13th
(that has two greens), needs its left green to be completely redesigned, It's too
severe for its own good. The finishing 18th is a masterful hole design, but the
green is just too shallow to hold even a high soft approach with a long iron or
hybrid. However, designs like the short uphill par 4 - 2nd and the "Punchbowl"
9th are priceless gems that make the Black an absolute must play. With a few
needed tweaks the Black can be even better and more playable. Be sure when
you walk off of the Punchbowl to stop by the "Tin Can" and order the lobster &
shrimp roll, you can thank me later.
The "Tin Can" halfway house at Streamsong Black
*My outside the box suggestion on how to get the most enjoyment when
playing the Black Course - play your round with friends in a match play,
best-ball or skins game format. If you're going to play in traditional
grind it out stroke play, just be prepared to have more 3 (and 4) putts
than you may have ever experienced.
photo courtesy of Streamsong Resort
The lodging accommodations and resort cuisine at Fifty-Nine, P205 and Bone
Valley Tavern were spot on as always. Director of Golf Scott Wilson and his
staff continue to provide a truly superb golf experience. Whichever layout you
favor, it's a given that you'll leave the resort knowing that you just experienced
one the world's true golf meccas. We can't wait to see what Rich Mack and the
folks at Streamsong have in store for the next chapter . . .
Photo courtesy of Streamsong Resort
For More information visit: http://www.streamsongresort.com/
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