At Streamsong Resort in Florida, golfers feel transported into a totally different world that includes three fantastic golf courses and outstanding amenities within its natural surroundings.
Earlier this month, Mass Golf hosted its first-ever trip to Florida’s foremost public golf resort for a three-night stay on the property filled with plenty of fun in the sun. The 80-degree temperatures were a welcome reprieve from the harsh winter weather back home.
“I booked this trip with some friends, and Streamsong could not have been any more perfect for us,” said Sheila Monterastelli, one of over 40 Mass Golfers who took part in the trip. “All three golf courses were outstanding, featuring pristine conditions, dramatic terrain, and spectacular views. The facilities were modern and clean, and the rooms were spacious and comfortable. When we weren’t golfing, we enjoyed relaxing at the pool, taking in the sunset and having a drink on the rooftop. We reconnected with other friends in the group and most importantly, just had a lot of fun.”
Located about 50 miles southeast of Tampa, Florida, Streamsong opened in 2013 and has since become a popular destination for golf enthusiasts all around the world. Its golf courses have been compared to Chambers Bay, host of the 2018 U.S. Open, as both facilities have converted former mining sites into esteemed public golf layouts.
All three distinct courses — “Red,” “Blue,” and “Black” — are walkable and have been featured on Golf Digest’s list of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses.
In addition to golf, Streamsong also has a luxurious pool and spa for golfers to cool down and relax afterward, as well as a skeet shooting, bass fishing, tennis, and archery to add to its many activities. While golfers were free to choose their activities, an attentive staff at Streamsong helped provide plenty of recommendations and shuffle people throughout the property.
Though Streamsong offers so much for so many, hosting upwards of 9,000 rounds per month, guests were able to enjoy the peace of their surroundings and have some flexibility with how they wanted to spend their time.
Here are some of the highlights from the Streamsong Getaway:
The Streamsong trip began Thursday night, March 3 with all the golfers attending a reception inside the Lobby Leaf Lounge. The lounge features floor-to-ceiling panoramic views of the lake. The guests enjoyed a full selection of drinks and craft cocktails, plus a delicious assortment of plates and desserts. They also got to meet their fellow trip-goers.
“It was pretty casual, but everybody mingled and it was a very social group,” said Jenna Walkiewicz, Mass Golf’s Assistant Director of Member Growth & Services, who oversaw the trip. “It was kind of a nice kickoff for everybody to get to know each other before the trip actually started.”
The first tee times began at 8 a.m. on The Red Course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, who have been tasked with the redesign of The Pines Course at The International in Bolton. Earlier this year, it was also announced that Coore and Crenshaw will soon return to build a fourth golf course at Streamsong.
During each 18-hole round over the three days, golfers competed in foursomes. Each golfers played their individual ball, but the best score counted for their team. Each team was competing for gift certificates that could be used anywhere within the resort.
In the afternoon, golfers were back outside to take part in a scramble event at the The Roundabout, a 7-hole short course with holes that play as short as 65 yards and as much as 150 yards.
The groups also received some guidance from Streamsong Tournament Coordinator, Drew Smith, who helped point the golfers in the right direction.
“He just knew what would be the order of things and what would be the most fun experience-wise for the players to do,” Walkiewicz said.
Gil Hanse’s Streamsong Black Course is located on the southern edge of the golf resort and features its own clubhouse, which is enclosed by glass windows from floor to ceiling. Opened in 2017, this course features the iconic windmill, big blowout bunkers and multiple options to attack each hole.
For the second consecutive day, the foursome of Cindy Mulica, Michelle McDonough, Deb Mcneil, and Roxanne Comolli, all from Renaissance in Haverhill, all took home first place in the team competition.
Following their second day of walking 18, golfers were invited to swap out their shoes and full golf bag for flip-flops, a putter and a drink for a putting competition at The Gauntlet. The 1.2 acre, 18-hole putting course offered a fun and entertaining way to wrap up the day. After each player went through 18 putting holes, the top five low scores squared off in a long-putting contest, with the top 2 earning gift certificates.
The Black Clubhouse also had its own bar and restaurant for golfers to enjoy.
The last day of golf took place at Streamsong’s highest-rated and most scenic course. From the first tee, golfers are provided with a 360-degree of what was ahead: undulating terrain, deep-water ponds and huge bunkers that roll off of towering sand dunes. In fact, the first tee itself is located on top of a sand dune. (See picture below)
Designed by Tom Doak, the Blue Course has some stunning holes, including a 74-foot deep green on the par-3 5th and a the par-3 7th which sits in the pocket of a sand dune.
In the final 18-hole competition, Virginia and Will Townsend, Benjamin Sieradzki, and Donna E Holt-Sieradzki carded the top score.
Following play at the Blue course, golfers were invited for a luncheon and one last distribution of gift certificates to conclude their getaway experience. Some extended their trip, but either way, there was plenty of excitement lingering from the experience at Streamsong.
Here is what some of the guests had to say following the Mass Golf trip to Streamsong:
My husband and I just got back from Streamsong. What a fantastic golf experience! I just wanted to reach out and tell you what an incredible job Jenna did. She was always around to ask questions and if she did not know the answer she was back within minutes with one. Jenna seemed relaxed and enjoying as much as we were even through she was working the entire trip, this made the rest of us feel at ease. I knew about 20 of the gals on the trip, and not one of us had an issue with anything. We look forward to more trips through Mass Golf, and hopefully Jenna will be running more trips. Thank you! — Will & Virginia Townshend
I want to thank you and your team for coordinating a fantastic March trip to the Streamsong Resort. Special kudos to Jenna Walkiewicz for the outstanding job she did organizing the trip. Her communication skills, attention to detail, and service orientation are superb! Jenna truly provided a top notch golf experience. Not to mention FUN!! — Barbara Quinn
The entire staff at Streamsong went above and beyond to make our stay seamless. The Streamsong trip definitely provided a much needed golf fix after three months of winter in the Northeast. The sunny 80-degree days were exactly what we were hoping for. I’d definitely go back! — Sheila Monterastelli
Streamsong was the first of three Mass Golf trips taking place this year. In August, another group will travel to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon. That trip is currently sold out, but you can email Mark Gagne and put your name on a waiting list.
In September, Mass Golf will host its first overseas trip since 2019 with a weeklong adventure to Ireland. Originally scheduled for 2020, this trip is slated for 6 rounds of golf, 7 nights accommodation, chauffeur driven transfers, meals and more. The list of courses includes Waterville Golf Links, Ballybunion Old, Old Head Golf Links, Tralee Golf Club, Lahinich Old, and Dooks Golf Links. To learn more about this trip, CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE learn more about Mass Golf travel opportunities.
*Mass Golf has been fortunate over the years to be associated with some of the most powerful and influential companies in golf. Through the generosity of these businesses, Mass Golf has been able to serve golfers and member clubs across the state.
