Away From It All

My sister-in-law recently asked me for advice on where to take my brother on a getaway to mark a milestone birthday.

Nothing too sentimental, she said. And the beach wasn't mandatory. My brother, an avid hunter and a pretty good archer, always complains how he never gets to golf enough.

That brought to mind Streamsong Resort, a 228-room central Florida destination with three nationally acclaimed golf courses, guided bass fishing, an infinity-edge pool, a nature trail, a sporting clay course, an archery range, four restaurants and a grotto-style spa.

Located southeast of Tampa, about an hour from both Disney World and Tampa International Airport, Streamsong was the perfect answer to my sister-in-law's quest for a vacation for her outdoorsy spouse.

The 16,000-acre paradise isn't a typical Florida retreat. It's inland, away from big cities and sunny beaches. Guests will spot osprey instead of seagulls, spend hours bass fishing instead of shell collecting and be closer to cattle ranches than performing art centers.

Built on a phosphate mining site owned by Mosaic, a Minnesota- based global fertilizer company, Streamsong is in a part of Florida once covered in water. (Mosaic also owns the resort.) Over time, sand piles became dunes, native grasses began to grow in and low-lying areas were turned into lakes.

The resort is a destination for those who want to enjoy an off-the-beaten-path part of the Sunshine State. Professional golfers are frequent guests, including, most recently, Stacy Lewis, Dustin Johnson, Lee Janzen, Paul Azinger and Zac Blair.

Streamsong's general manager, Rich Mogensen, says the resort is like no other place in the state. Guests say, if they didn't know better, they would never guess they were in Florida. There are very few palm trees to be found.

In the five years since it opened, Streamsong's golf courses have collected numerous accolades from the golf industry. Among their recent honors, Streamsong Red and Streamsong Blue courses were ranked No. 1 and No. 3, respectively, on Golf Digest's list of Florida's Best Public Courses and No. 10 and No. 14, respectively, on Golf Magazine's Top 100 Courses You Can Play in the U.S.

With the addition of the Streamsong Black course last year, the resort has become the only spot in the world where players can enjoy three distinct courses designed by four legendary architects: Ben Crenshaw, Bill Coore, Tom Doak and Gil Hanse. Shortly after Streamsong Black debuted, the course was heralded by Golf Magazine as the Best New Course of 2017.

Last year, the resort also launched The Gauntlet, designed to challenge the putting skills of all players, and The Roundabout, a free-flowing practice facility with several green complexes and practice holes to accommodate many players.

Alfonso Architects of Tampa, designers of the golf clubhouse and hotel, put a modern twist on Frank Lloyd Wright style with flat roof lines, floor-to-ceiling windows and light-filled rooms with views of a breathtaking landscape.

To bring the outside into the rooms, Alberto Alfonso created paintings that reflect Streamsong's natural surroundings of giant dunes, glittering lakes and woods. Rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows with custom louvers and hardware to control light. Most rooms have spectacular water views as well as luxurious linens, plush robes and boutique amenities.

For non-golfing guests, or golfers looking for other diversions, Streamsong features ping pong, a fitness center, archery, bass fishing and sporting clay shooting. AcquaPietra spa offers indulgent treatments and six pools, all with different temperatures.

When it comes time to wine and dine, there are four restaurants on the property – Restaurant Fifty-Nine (steakhouse), Bone Valley Tavern (gastropub), P2O5 (classic American) and Sottoterra (Italian) – as well as Hemy's, a poolside bar and grill, and Fragmentary Blue, a 360-degree rooftop lounge where guests can watch for scampering deer outside.

Children are welcome at the resort, but activities and amenities for them are limited.However, there's no limit to the adventures awaiting grown-up guests at Streamsong. O

Streamsong Resort is located at 1000 Streamsong Drive, Streamsong. For information, call 888-294-6322 or visit streamsongresort.com.