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*** THE GOG BLOG’S SUNDAY MORNING SHORT GAME-LOOKS AT THE MISSION INN RESORT located in Howey-In-The-Hills Florida. 35 minutes NW of Downtown Orlando Florida. Owned by the Beucher family, all with Chicago area ties.
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn and Instagram.
WHAT STARTED IN CHICAGO’S NORTHERN SUBURBS, now resides just Northwest of Orlando.
So for Bud Beucher and his family the Mission Inn has been home for decades. But if you haven’t heard of the town of Howey-In-The Hills Florida, you might not be familiar with the Mission Inn Resort, even though it’s one of the best resorts in Florida.
Mission Inn is home to hospitality that shines, and it comes from a staff where many of them have worked there for years. But in some cases, it’s almost a lifetime and Beucher see’s it when he hands out the years of service pins. So who benefit’s from this, you do, the guest. Because the people there, simply care. They want you to enjoy yourself, and they want you to return. So one of things you will notice when you stay at the Mission Inn, is that the level of service is a bar that’s set pretty high.
Welcome to the Mission Inn Resort-Howey in the Hills Florida. 35 minutes NW of Orlando.
Mission Inn is about having a place to get away to, and being able to relax while you are there.
Because it’s not next to the airport where planes go over your head all day. There is no major interstate running alongside the hotel. So being 35 minutes away from the downtown hustle of Orlando, has it’s benefits.
But for those who want to make a day trip to the Magic Kingdom, or other sites Orlando offers. The drive is not a long one. Because the only long drives connected to Mission Inn are the ones golfers hit off the tee boxes of the resorts two 18-hole golf courses.
CLICK HERE to hear the interview with Director of Golf Michael Bowery.
Welcome to El Campeon one of Florida’s most historic golf courses.
FOR THE BEUCHER family who started life in the Evanston and Wilmette area, the transition to Florida has been a life-long journey.
For Beucher, who at the early age of 7 saw his father buy a Florida golf course, that led to expansion after expansion. But those improvements turned the Mission Inn, into what it is today.
Because today’s Mission Inn has grown into a destination, that while it is golf. It’s more than just golf. Because it’s also tennis, bass fishing on Lake Harris, power boating around the marina, trap and skeet shooting, a Cyber fitness center, biking, volleyball, and hitting the resorts shops and spa.
The Mission Inn pool.
ONE OF the more relaxing area’s around the Mission Inn is the pool area. Around the pool, is the multi-level outdoor dining and relaxation area. So work on your tan by day, stretch out and dine around candle-light at night.
But if you need to work on your tired muscles, the hot-tub whirlpool is just off to the side of the pool.
But another option for tired or sore body parts, is the resorts Spa Marbella, just a short walk from the resort’s pool.
The peacefulness of the Mission Inn Resort is reflected in the waterfall outside the main inn, and near the Spa Marbella.
CLICK here to hear the interview with Mission Inn Managing partner Bud Beucher
El Campeon’s Island Green
GOLF AT THE MISSION INN is comprised of 36 holes. First up is the famed and historic El Campeon, now one of the oldest courses in Florida at 104 years old.
El Campeon was designed by George O’Neill a Chicago area golf designer. In Chicago O’Neill is most widely known as the designer of the historic Beverly Country Club. But 2-3 years after O’Neill created Beverly, Donald Ross arrived and made his course changes. The club now calls the course a Donald Ross design.
The 5th hole on the Los Colinas course, at Mission Inn.
But O’Neill’s work at El Campeon has stood the test of time. Because this year, the course will host USGA qualifiers for the U.S. Open, the U.S. Amateur and the U.S Mid-Amateur Championship.
But that’s not all. There is qualifying school for the Candian PGA Tour, and the PGA Latino Tour held in South America.
So don’t forget the Symetra Tour event in late May, where a field of 144 ladies, trying to earn a LPGA Tour card will be testing their game against the historic great El Campeon course.
But all the golf at Mission Inn is not just El Campeon. The resorts second course Las Colinas originally designed by former tour golfer and commentator Gary Koch, is also a fun challenge for golfers of all skill levels. El Campeon is one of the founding members of the Florida Historic Golf Trail, while Las Colinas that first opened in 1992 is a Top #20 in Florida by Golf Advisor.
Nicole Quinn is one of only 20 women, who hold the title of head golf professional or director of golf in the State of Florida.
THERE IS A GREAT TEAM of golf professionals who oversee the Mission Inn golf operation.
Michael Bowery who first met Bud Beucher in the parking lot outside of their college dorm, when they were both freshman at the University of Arizona is the Director of Golf.
Beucher called Bowery nine years ago, and asked him to come help out the resort’s golf operation for 6 weeks nine years ago. But Bowery hasn’t left yet, and likely isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Bowery’s right-hand man in the golf operation is a woman. Nicole Quinn a native Floridian, who played college golf for Auburn, is the resorts head golf professional. One of only 20 women in Florida who hold the title of head professional or director of golf.
CLICK HERE TO HEAR the interview with Mission Inn head golf professional Nicole Quinn.
Breakfast anyone-it doesn’t get better than the Mission Inn. FOOD & BEVERAGE when it comes drinks and dining, Mission Inn does it as good as anyone in it’s La Hacienda Restaurant.
Because the morning breakfast or brunch is not only plenty of options, it’s just really good food. The Omelet station should not be missed, and in Florida you don’t pass on orange juice.
But if you need food over the clubhouse, Nicker’s Restaurant has strong options for lunch, and more for dinner.
The resort’s El Conquistador Restaurant is your home for upscale dinning. So don’t be afraid to try the steaks, you can tell ownership has some Chicago style roots in them.
NO MATTER what time of year it is, don’t be afraid to getaway to The Mission Inn. Florida is the Sunshine State, and at the Mission Inn, there is plenty of sunshine to go around. So book your next Florida play and stay by calling reservations (800)-874-9053 with group sales at (800)-523-2289. Learn more at MissionInnResort.com. To see more pictures, visit Rory Spears on Facebook, or GogBlogGuy on Twitter.