With my golf clubs in storage, I’m forever lamenting the fact that I’m not playing—but paying—for the clubs’ comfy quarters a mile from my home. So when I got the invite to experience Innisbrook Golf & Spa Resort in Palm Harbor, Fla., I figured this would be a perfect time to dust off my inherited Big Bertha.
But it was not meant to be.
In a rush to get to the resort for a press conference and ribbon cutting for the newly renovated and reopened North Course at Innisbrook, I didn’t have time to pick up my old clubs. I’d have to “settle” for a brand-new rental set at the resort that no doubt would be a bit more high-tech than my own.
And boy I’m glad I did. When I hit the driving range (I decided to let real golfers tackle the new and improved course) and smacked my first golf ball more than 150 feet, I knew it wasn’t because of my technique; it was clearly the golf club.
While I missed playing the course, the golf writers among us assured me the North Course was truly spectacular. Most people know Innisbrook from the PGA Tour Valspar Championship, played on the resort’s Copperhead Course each March, but guests have a total of four courses to choose from on this 900-acre resort.
Over the weekend, we tried all of the restaurants on-property as well as the Salamander Spa. The property boasts huge rooms; the one-bedroom suites are almost 1,000 square feet. Mine included a dining room, living room and kitchen with a terrace overlooking the golf course.
In 2018, the resort will begin a renovation of all of its 500 rooms.
The property has four restaurants, and on our first night, we were invited to Packard’s Steakhouse, named for golf course architect Larry Packard, who designed the Copperhead Course. Most of us ordered steak, but the menu had seafood, ribs, crab cakes and a host of other selections. I was impressed with how many years each server had worked at the resort and was proud to tell us so.
The next morning, we were all treated to a service at the Salamander Spa. Massages were definitely in order as the golfers were playing 18 holes a day. For me, the spa was just a nice way to relax while looking out at its pool and patio, which groups can use for events, from morning yoga classes to evening cocktail parties.
Later that afternoon, I drove to Dunedin, about 15 minutes south of the resort. Incorporated in 1899, this charming town on the St. Joseph Sound is filled with quaint shops and restaurants. Just north of the resort, Tarpon Springs is fun to visit. This Greek fishing town is known for its charter boat trips, sponge divers and the best Greek food in Florida. The famed Hellas Restaurant is known for its flaming cheese served tableside.
Back at the resort, dinner was casual on the outdoor patio at Market Salamander Grille. With choices like freshly caught grouper, pastas and smoky ribs, we were all kept happy. The Market will even stock guest suites with groceries or pack a picnic basket for excursions.
On Sunday, the golfers took to the Island Course and met the rest of the group for lunch at Turnberry Pub, which is a great place for a burger and a beer. After lunch, we met with Dawn Mercer for a golf lesson at the Innisbrook Golf Institute. Mercer has been correcting the bad habits of golfers for 30 years. Thankfully, Dawn gave us each drills we could take home and practice.
On our last night at the resort, we had a really fun putting contest with illuminated greens and glow in-the-dark golf balls.
The contest took place after an amazing dinner orchestrated by Executive Chef Thomas McKinney-Stehr, who oversees all of Innisbrook’s restaurants, banquets and corporate events.
McKinney-Stehr told us about how his mother tried to talk him out of such a grueling profession but he was undeterred. Lucky for us. Our own chef table experience started with Bouillabaisse and ended with a creamy dessert with toasted hazelnuts and caramel over a smoking plate of dry ice. The presentation was as fabulous as the food.
In addition to championship golf, the resort has 11 tennis courts, a state-of-the-art fitness center, six heated swimming pool complexes and three conference halls with 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space.
And in the end, maybe leaving my golf clubs behind was in the best interest of everyone.
Innisbrook Golf & Spa Resort
727.942.2000
