The Golf Thread

Last week I played at Sage Valley, outside Augusta. Amazing experience, from the A+ lodges to just ordering whatever you want regardless of the menu. They don’t say no. And there were probably 20 staff for every group. I think there were 8 groups on the course. Also it is bent grass, so like Augusta, it burns down and closes in the summer. 

Need to clear my  head today… what better way, need a cold one 

mrussel1 said:

Last week I played at Sage Valley, outside Augusta. Amazing experience, from the A+ lodges to just ordering whatever you want regardless of the menu. They don’t say no. And there were probably 20 staff for every group. I think there were 8 groups on the course. Also it is bent grass, so like Augusta, it burns down and closes in the summer. 

That looks amazing (and like Augusta).  

mrussel1 said:

bootlegger10 said:

mrussel1 said:

bootlegger10 said:

Blue and Red courses at Streamsong this weekend before a work conference.  Haven't played once in 2 months.  Will be lucky to break 100.  

Those are the two I like.  I think Black is overrated.  I actually think Streamsong is overrated in general, but the facilities are nice.  The greens are too big and undulating.  

The old World Woods in Brooksville just reopened under a new name.  I played there a few times when I lived in Tampa and it was spectacular.  I'm itching to get to the new ones.  

I actually really liked the greens on the blue and red.  They rolled so true.  But I agree it isn't going to be a destination I try to get back again soon (although I did tack on a day to the end of my conference in Orlando to knock out the black course on Saturday).

I just booked rounds at Cabot Citrus Farms (that you mentioned) for December 7th and 8th.  One of my work golf trip buddies is going to be in Tampa for work and I'm going to hop down for the weekend to play those courses with him.  I'm really excited.  Karoo looks amazing.

Let me know how it is, particularly in comparison to Stream.  We are talking about taking some clients there in after the new year. 

So I went to Cabot Citrus Farms this weekend @mrussel1

I didn't stay on property for Streamsong or Cabot so can't speak to that part of the resorts.  There were about 40 cabins at Cabot.  A couple restaurants.  The turn stands were fine.  Had a cool area around the par 3 with a food truck style setting for drinks and food.  If you needed locker room access if flying back after the rounds, Cabot only has one shower in the old clubhouse.  

The golf is overpriced in my opinion at both. Streamsong courses should be $300, not $400.  Cabot weekday rates were $275 so more "reasonable" than their $380 weekend rates.  

The golf is different at each.  Streamsong is a little more grown in and of course the architecture is great.  Greens are really good.  Downside is the price, all three are similar, and the wasteland visuals off the course suck. 

At Cabot you have 2.5 18's that are different from each other.  Me and my friend said that we enjoyed the layout more at Karoo than Streamsong, but the greens were tricked out (get a caddie, very undulating, like over the top undulating).  I enjoyed the Roost, it was more parkland style (won't blow you away but better than most courses).  I wouldn't call Cabot links golf as they don't have fescue fairways, and putting off the green is tougher as the bermuda wants to grab the ball unlike fescue.  I didn't get to play the 10 hole course, but #1 looked really cool.  I thought both courses were in great shape, and there is more visually to look at than STreamsong.  The area around the course needs time to grow in though (walks from green to tee for example). Trackman range too which was nice at Cabot.  

Overall, I don't think you'd be disappointed going to Cabot with your clients.  At worst, you might say that one visit is enough, but you'll have a good time and won't regret going.  

mrussel1 said:

bootlegger10 said:

mrussel1 said:

bootlegger10 said:

mrussel1 said:

bootlegger10 said:

Blue and Red courses at Streamsong this weekend before a work conference.  Haven't played once in 2 months.  Will be lucky to break 100.  

Those are the two I like.  I think Black is overrated.  I actually think Streamsong is overrated in general, but the facilities are nice.  The greens are too big and undulating.  

The old World Woods in Brooksville just reopened under a new name.  I played there a few times when I lived in Tampa and it was spectacular.  I'm itching to get to the new ones.  

I actually really liked the greens on the blue and red.  They rolled so true.  But I agree it isn't going to be a destination I try to get back again soon (although I did tack on a day to the end of my conference in Orlando to knock out the black course on Saturday).

I just booked rounds at Cabot Citrus Farms (that you mentioned) for December 7th and 8th.  One of my work golf trip buddies is going to be in Tampa for work and I'm going to hop down for the weekend to play those courses with him.  I'm really excited.  Karoo looks amazing.

Let me know how it is, particularly in comparison to Stream.  We are talking about taking some clients there in after the new year. 

So I went to Cabot Citrus Farms this weekend @mrussel1

I didn't stay on property for Streamsong or Cabot so can't speak to that part of the resorts.  There were about 40 cabins at Cabot.  A couple restaurants.  The turn stands were fine.  Had a cool area around the par 3 with a food truck style setting for drinks and food.  If you needed locker room access if flying back after the rounds, Cabot only has one shower in the old clubhouse.  

The golf is overpriced in my opinion at both. Streamsong courses should be $300, not $400.  Cabot weekday rates were $275 so more "reasonable" than their $380 weekend rates.  

The golf is different at each.  Streamsong is a little more grown in and of course the architecture is great.  Greens are really good.  Downside is the price, all three are similar, and the wasteland visuals off the course suck. 

At Cabot you have 2.5 18's that are different from each other.  Me and my friend said that we enjoyed the layout more at Karoo than Streamsong, but the greens were tricked out (get a caddie, very undulating, like over the top undulating).  I enjoyed the Roost, it was more parkland style (won't blow you away but better than most courses).  I wouldn't call Cabot links golf as they don't have fescue fairways, and putting off the green is tougher as the bermuda wants to grab the ball unlike fescue.  I didn't get to play the 10 hole course, but #1 looked really cool.  I thought both courses were in great shape, and there is more visually to look at than STreamsong.  The area around the course needs time to grow in though (walks from green to tee for example). Trackman range too which was nice at Cabot.  

Overall, I don't think you'd be disappointed going to Cabot with your clients.  At worst, you might say that one visit is enough, but you'll have a good time and won't regret going.  

Thanks!  What about dinner and other amenities? Would you do a client meal on site?  Brooksville has always been pretty far the fuck out (not as bad Thonotosassa, bus still).  Were there decent places to eat and stay around the facilities?

Also, caddy or ride?

I believe there is just the one main restaurant at this time called Grange Hall.  You can check out the menu online.  It had a nice bar selection.  It was more upscale than a pub, but isn't fancy like a nice steakhouse.  I had a sit down lunch there.  You'd have to ask them if there is a private dining area you could use if that is what you are looking for.   I don't know the expectations of your clients, but I'd check the pictures online and the menu. They are starting construction on the main clubhouse so the resort is still a work in process.  I didn't notice any other buildings for a spa/gym or anything like that (I doubt it given the clubhouse isn't built yet and no locker rooms).  You can check the website as it looks like they might have other activities you can do besides golf (archery, etc...).

I stayed at a hotel about 15 minutes away near Brooksville (Holiday Inn Express Brooksville West) to save some cash.  It was your standard main road off the highway with chain restaurants, Wal-Marts, etc... When I was looking for hotels/civilization nearby it looked like the nearest ones were about 15 minutes away (might be able to find nicer/coastal areas if you preferred to stay offsite and have more upscale dining options).  I did not look at pricing for the cabins onsite.   It is about 55 minutes to Tampa Airport which makes it really convenient.  I considered staying 30-40 minutes away to be closer to Tampa (perhaps hit up the casino) since my rounds were very early, and still be within a reasonable distance back in the morning to the course.  Definitely closer to civilization than Streamsong.  

It is walking only outside of the summer months (similar to Streamsong).  I got a tee time as a single for The Roost and was first off so I got done in 2.5 hours.   I got a double bag caddie for Karoo on Monday when my friend joined me as I heard the greens were diabolical.  The caddie fee is $75 plus recommended minimum tip of $80.  Highly recommend a caddie for Karoo.  While the property has rolling hills and elevation changes, it is not a taxing walk.  

Streamsong is the safer choice as it is more developed.  The Cabot property and courses are still very nice, but a work in process for amenities/food options.   Some of the cabins are right on top of the range, so it would be nice staying onsite to be steps away from the trackman range, putting green and first tee for Karoo, par 3 and the 10 hole course.  The owner landed his helicopter on the range on Monday, so clearly this is intended to be a more upscale option for the discerning golfer who likes to waste money .  No replay rates outside of summer.

I played at a random course the morning after I arrived in Tampa and paid $100. Got paired with three people and one said he never has paid more than $110 to play golf.  I felt a little shame and wasteful for all the money I've spent on golf.  While there is definitely a noticeable difference in course quality, the prices are getting out of control post Covid. Some money being made. Thank god the Keisers don't charge what they could charge at Bandon and Sand Valley.  But on the flip side, if Cabot charged $100 a round the tee times would be impossible to get.