“Slipaway to a Notable Florida Golf Resort”
Floridians seeking a golf getaway, during the 2020 Pandemic, will find Mission Inn Resort & Club a welcoming getaway. The Resort offers two world-class golf courses featuring rolling hills and shimmering lakes. Additionally, there are hiking paths, a refreshing poolside area, tennis courts, volleyball, bass fishing and trap/skeet shooting. Plus, it is just 35 minutes from Orlando.
It’s late July 2020 in Florida. The state, the country, and the world are still in the midst of the Corona Virus Pandemic. Family and friends are finding their comfort level with “staying safe” and “staying home.” We are predominantly staying close to home with activities of home projects, golf, going for walks in the Pinellas County Parks, occasionally dining out, and a limited visits with family. We had a two-day relaxing beach getaway at Siesta Key, Florida (link). Needing to visit a family member in Leesburg, Florida, we decide to include a golf getaway at the nearby Mission Inn Resort & Club.
Fond Memories of Mission Inn
Goodness, we haven’t visited Mission Inn Resort & Club in a few years. On prior visits we golfed early morning, then it was lunch, a dip in the pool, and finished playing 18-holes in the late afternoon. We also enjoyed a boat ride on scenic Lake Harris and delighted in the Resort’s restaurants. I fondly recall the first time I played El Campeón, the Resort’s oldest course. That was 52 years ago! I was attending the University of Florida and taking golf for my Physical Education class. During summer break, my Dad arranged for himself, my brother, a friend and me to play various golf courses in the state. I recall the Sunday we played The Floridan Country Club at Howey-in-the-Hills (now El Campeón). Standing on the first tee on a hilltop looking over the rolling terrain of the golf course was exciting. It is special memory playing this challenging hilly course with my Dad.
A Bit of History
With over a 100 years of history Mission Inn Resort has gone through various owners and changes. Initially with a vision of William J. Howey to create the largest horticultural empire in the world, he purchased 60,000 acres of Central Florida real estate. Today this has emerged into a Florida golf resort featuring two championship golf courses, fresh-water fishing, a full-service spa, three restaurants and 30,000 square feet of group space. In the 1960’s Nick Beucher purchased the property with his dream of turning it into a resort. Carrying that dream on the Beucher family continues to bring 50 years of hospitality to one of Florida’s earliest golf courses. Accordingly, the El Campeón Golf Course is on the Florida Historic Golf Trail.
Playing El Campeon Golf Course
On this visit, we start with an 11:30 AM tee time to play El Campeón . The Resort is doing an excellent job of assuring the safety of their guests and their employees. All employees and guests wear masks when inside. While Nicker’s Restaurant at the Clubhouse is closed, sandwiches, drinks, and snacks available at an outdoor tent. After warming up at the Practice Area, we grab a couple of hot dogs. Now to take on El Campeón ! It is cart path only due to heavy rains the previous night, yet our pace of play as a twosome is perfect. Plenty of open space between us and other golfers. El Campeón features rolling hills with mature pine and magnolia trees. We appreciate the course as it winds to an elevation of 85 ft. There are no houses or condos along the fairways giving it a peaceful scenic setting.
Of the two courses at Mission Inn Resort & Club, El Campeón is the oldest originally designed in 1917 by George O’Neil. Then in 1926 Charles E. Clarke of Troon, Scotland provided further improvements. The first time I played the course, the starting hole was on a hilltop. Today, El Campeón and Las Colinas No. 1 holes are in the valley by the Clubhouse. Proper tee selection is important for playing any golf course. The scorecard for El Campeon and as Las Colinas provide a “Tee It Forward” section for “Suggested Tees” based on “Driver Distance.” As the course winds up and down the rolling terrain it brings plenty of challenge for any golfer. The front nine slowly has fairways that ascend the hillsides. On Hole No. 4, a par-4, some tee boxes have a lake to cross to the uphill fairway. A few holes are uphill and others are all downhill. Hole No. 7 brings excitement in this downhill hole that has a creek cutting diagonally across. Course management and club selection are critical to score well on this hole. Must admit I am thrilled with a bogey.
As we make the turn, the course continues to add plenty of challenge and sometimes surprises. On No. 15 a par-3 with a peninsula green, Richard hits a great shot that lands on the green. Then we can’t see it. Ugh, it rolls off the back into the water. A favorite hole on the back is No. 16, a par-4, with a green that reminds us of the Island Green, No. 17 at TPC Sawgrass. The green is totally encircled by bunkers so short shots or long shots are in the water or bunker. Awesome! Richard gets a birdie and I par it!
Next is a sign for No. 17 – “The Devil’s Delight!” Just the sign can make one nervous. A par-5 with a water hazard directly in front of the green it has the challenge of trees along and in the fairway. Easy to land behind a tree preventing a clear shot to the green. Plus there is a large bunker before the water hazard. A scenic hole, No. 17 is by the Resort offering great views from the dining room and patio to watch golfers struggle on this “devilish” hole. No. 18, a par-4, is a great finishing hole that follows the lake shore on the right hand side. It is a fun day of golf on an exciting golf course with its scenic rolling terrain.
The Resort
Now to check-in, cool off, and relax. The Resort is not busy so check-in and settling into our room is simple. With its distinct Spanish Colonial architecture, Mission Inn Resort & Club offers luxurious amenities and a range of accommodations. While we opt for the Deluxe King Room, the Resort also offers accommodations of Club Suites and one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites. Rooms and suites provide scenic views of the resort and golf course. While the resort features three restaurants due to the Pandemic only one restaurant is open. It set up to easily handle breakfast, lunch, and dinner for guests.
The Reception clerk is following all the necessary practices with hands-free and he is wearing the requisite mask. A nice touch is the Resort gives several coupons to be used on property. Our updated Deluxe King Room is well-appointed, spacious, and comfortable with a large TV and even a nice relaxing chair. The bathroom has marble and granite along with blush towels. The screened porch has a great view of El Campeon. While the exterior still maintains the Spanish architecture of Beucher, the new décor is more modern and clean. We are impressed with the extra safety of the remote control and hair dryer each in a “baggy” verifying these are sterilized.
It is a hot day and we are definitely ready to cool off. Slipping into our swim suits we stroll to the outdoor pool. Here we find a large pool and deck for a relaxing poolside setting. Only one other group is at the pool, allowing us plenty of space to enjoy the pool and hot tub. We especially delight in the benefits of the jets in the hot tub to relax our tired golf muscles. Darn! A typical Florida thunderstorm rolls in, cutting our pool time short. Glad we golfed early and didn’t get rained out.
The next morning we enjoy an early morning walk along the Resort walking paths and also stroll into the subdivision by Las Colinas Golf Course. Despite being a short “golf getaway,” it is a great day of golf, relaxation, fun and nice respite. Next visit will be longer and we will play both El Campeón and Las Colinas.
If you go:
Rates/Packages: On this visit of one night and only playing one golf course, the best rate we find is a AAA Rate for the room and paying separately for golf. Check out the website to find packages for golf, spa, etc.
Golf Packages – there are various special packages especially for golf. These include all meals which can be a benefit for a golf group.
Senior Golf Rates – Certain days there are Senior Golf Rates offering various discounts. Tee times can be made on-line.