The air at Streamsong always hums with a certain primal energy. It’s a place carved from something ancient, something wild, where the sandy soil and towering dunes feel less like earth and more like the very bones of the land. For years, the trio of Blue, Red, and Black courses have defined this unique corner of Florida golf, each a masterpiece in its own right, showcasing the genius of three distinct architectural titans. But whispers have been growing louder, hinting at a new predator in the Streamsong ecosystem, a fourth course ready to stake its claim. And now, the beast has a name: Bone Valley.
I’ve walked countless courses across the globe, from the windswept links of Scotland to the volcanic landscapes of the Pacific, and I can tell you there are few places that possess the raw, untamed canvas that Streamsong offers. The initial trio of courses, meticulously crafted by Tom Doak, Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw, and Gil Hanse (with the Black Course), transformed former mining lands into a golfer’s paradise. Each design respects the dramatic elevation changes and sandy contours, offering strategic dilemmas and visual splendor at every turn. The expectation for the fourth track, a David McLay Kidd creation, was palpable among golf architecture aficionados like myself.
For months, the golf cognoscenti played a spirited parlor game, debating the name of this nascent course. A color, surely? Streamsong Yellow, perhaps? Or a verdant Streamsong Green? The resort, known for its elegant simplicity and commitment to unique experiences, had set a precedent. Yet, the choice of “Bone Valley” electrifies the narrative, shattering expectations and digging deep into the very foundations of the land.
A Name Billions of Years in the Making
To truly appreciate the name, one must journey back through the eons. This particular stretch of Central Florida, where the resort sits, was once a vast, teeming ocean. Imagine leviathans of the deep, a marine food chain dominated by the awe-inspiring megalodon, a shark so immense it would make a modern Great White seem like a mere sardine. It was the fossilized remnants of these ancient creatures, particularly the striking number of megalodon teeth, that gave the region its evocative moniker: Bone Valley.
McLay Kidd, the architect tasked with coaxing a new course from this prehistoric landscape, quickly became intimately familiar with its paleontological heritage. As he began shaping the land, he embarked on an inadvertent paleontology crash course. Fossils, particularly those razor-sharp megalodon teeth, were an everyday discovery.
“I was like, ah, that one’s broken,” he said. A few months in, unearthing the saw-sharp remains of an ancient fish seemed no more remarkable than stumbling across a cactus in a desert.”
This personal encounter with the land’s ancient past undoubtedly influenced McLay Kidd’s vision for Bone Valley. It’s a testament to the power of a site when its very geology dictates its identity. As Steve Skinner, CEO of KemperSports, aptly put it:
“The name was a natural fit for land and a course that was literally millions of years in the making.”
Beyond the historical resonance, there’s a shrewd commercial logic to the name. Golf course branding thrives on merchandise, and “Bone Valley” offers a creative team vastly more inspiration than a mere color. The resort has already leaned into this prehistoric theme, with the main lodge proudly displaying the fossilized jaws of a megalodon. The course’s new logo, a skeletal, crocodilian figure, is both striking and perfectly suited for hats and shirts, a visual echo of the landscape’s deep past.
;)
Streamsong Resort
It’s worth noting that while the logo evokes a certain reptilian charm, “No. Not a megalodon,” as the article clarifies. But the ancient oceans of Central Florida were a vibrant tapestry of life, teeming with giant sea turtles, manatee ancestors, and countless other creatures that contributed their bones to the phosphate-rich soil. This rich biodiversity offers ample inspiration for a design that celebrates the land’s ancient inhabitants.
What to Expect from McLay Kidd’s Latest
David McLay Kidd has a fascinating design trajectory. From his early, highly acclaimed work at Bandon Dunes, celebrated for its rugged links characteristics, to more recent designs that showcase a nuanced approach to strategy and playability, he consistently creates courses that are visually stunning and intellectually engaging. At Streamsong, where the landscape is already so dramatic, I anticipate Kidd will lean into the existing contours, creating a course that feels naturally laid upon the land, much like the fossilized remains themselves.
Given the discoveries during construction, I wouldn’t be surprised to see design elements that subtly nod to the site’s history. Perhaps bunkers shaped like ancient riverbeds, or green complexes with undulations reminiscent of a fossilized seabed. The routing will undoubtedly take full advantage of the dramatic elevation changes that define Streamsong, offering panoramic vistas and exhilarating downhill shots. McLay Kidd is known for creating playable yet challenging courses, often with wide fairways that funnel players toward strategic hazards or prime approach angles. I expect Bone Valley to be no different – a course that rewards thoughtful play over brute force.
Streamsong’s other courses are renowned for their firm-and-fast conditions and their embrace of the Florida wind as a strategic element. I am confident that McLay Kidd will leverage these elements, ensuring Bone Valley stands as a worthy companion to its esteemed brethren, providing a different, yet equally compelling, golf experience.
Planning Your Expedition to Bone Valley
Streamsong Resort is located in west-central Florida, about an hour east of Tampa. It’s an immersion experience,
a destination where golf is paramount. Bone Valley is scheduled to open for preview play on November 30th, 2023. This is exciting news, as preview play often offers a raw, unfiltered look at a course before it fully matures. It allows golfers to experience the architect’s initial vision, the lines and contours still fresh from the shapers’ hands.
If you’re considering a trip, prepare not just for golf, but for an adventure. Streamsong is a place where you disconnect from the world and connect with the game and the unique landscape. Staying on-site is highly recommended to fully appreciate the resort’s atmosphere. With Bone Valley joining the Blue, Red, and Black, Streamsong solidifies its status as a premier golf destination, rivaling some of the best multi-course resorts in the world. Get ready to unearth your best game, and perhaps, a megalodon tooth or two.
