Countryway Golf Club

Countryway Golf Club sits in the Tampa area of west-central Florida, designed by Steve Smyers and opened in the mid-1990s. Smyers, a Florida-based architect known for his naturalistic approach and strategic design philosophy, crafted the course on relatively flat terrain typical of the region. The layout incorporates native sandy soils and vegetation, with routing that emphasizes angles, options, and ground-game possibilities rather than relying solely on aerial demands. The course features generous fairway corridors punctuated by strategic bunkering and waste areas that echo the scrubland character of old Florida. Water comes into play on several holes, as is common in Tampa-area courses, but the design avoids the formulaic target-golf aesthetic of many contemporary Florida layouts. Smyers shaped greens with subtle contours and varied pin positions, rewarding thoughtful approach play and creating interest around the putting surfaces. Countryway operates as a private club serving the Tampa golf community. The course reflects Smyers' reputation for creating playable yet thoughtful designs that appeal to a range of skill levels while maintaining strategic depth for accomplished players. The layout takes advantage of Florida's year-round playing season and provides a contrast to some of the more resort-oriented courses in the region, focusing on shot values and course management rather than dramatic visual statements.