Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Need Some Last Minute Gift Ideas for the Golfer?

Only a week left for Christmas shopping. Are you lagging behind in your shopping, or did you manage to check everyone off your list before the one-week countdown? It’s those last few people who are the hardest to shop for—that’s why they are the last few people on the last-minute shopping list.

Unless they are golfers. There’s always a good idea for a golfer: golf gear from a pro shop, a gift certificate to a pro shop, or better yet, a gift certificate to the golfer’s favorite golf course. Any of these would make an awesome gift to the avid golfer.

If you really want to wow them, give a gift certificate to a pro shop or golf course in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, or even a gift card toward a Gulf Shores golf vacation—that would be the ultimate golf gift! If your recipient loves golf and loves the beach (and who doesn’t love the beach), a golf vacation would easily top all other gifts. If they’ve vacationed in the area before, they’ll love it. If they’ve never vacationed in the area, it’s time they do—they will love the variety of Gulf Coast signature golf courses, white-sand beaches, and the range of accommodations

Several of the area golf courses sell gift cards and golf packages. So there’s really no excuse—go ahead and cross the golfer off your list.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Make It a Merry Christmas with Golf and the Gulf Coast

Who’s hoping for golf stuff this Christmas? A few rounds of golf or a gift certificate to a favorite golf course, new clubs, or even a new package of golf balls can really make a golfer’s holiday.

Here’s what else will make a golfer’s holiday season in a big way: celebrating and golfing in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. There’s a whole lot of Gulf Coast Christmas activity going on this month that will make the trip down worth it all on its own, including daily holiday ice skating at The Wharf, the 28th Annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade on December 14th, and Christmas shows like the Coastal Chorale Christmas Show taking place all weekend (December 6th – 8th) in Foley and the Baldwin Pops Christmas Concert at the Foley Civic Center on December 9th.

The shopping is also good in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach—the area has everything from unique boutiques and souvenir shops to art galleries to the Tanger Outlets in Foley. It’s the perfect time and place for finishing up some holiday shopping.

And amid all the hustle and bustle, you’ll still find great Gulf Coast golf; you won’t find frigid temperatures that make it impossible to play this time of year.

Treat yourself to an early Christmas present: make it a Coastal Christmas golf getaway.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Eat a Little Turkey, Play a Little Golf This Thanksgiving

So we’re a week out from Thanksgiving…any golf plans for the big holiday? Will you resist the urge to be lazy following the big turkey dinner, or will you head out for a round of golf? Maybe you’re thinking it will simply be too cold to hit the greens this late in November.

Not in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. Comfortably cool, yes, but you’re not likely to find frigid, freezing temperatures down on the Gulf. And if you’ve ever thought how brutal it is to play golf under the hot summer sun, you’d appreciate the cooler (not cold) on the Gulf Coast this time of year. For many of us it is, simply put, the best time of year to play Gulf Shores golf.

There’s still time to put together a Thanksgiving golf vacation. And one great thing about Gulf Shores & Orange Beach is the variety of Gulf-front accommodations. Enjoy preparing and eating your Thanksgiving meal in your condo or beach house with a view of the Gulf right outside the window, or keep things simple with a hotel room and dinner out.

Then get out and enjoy the beach, enjoy the weather and, of course, enjoy the golf. Happy (early) Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 8, 2013

Golf-Only Tee Times Are Available in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Anyone planning to be in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach this fall? Maybe you’ll be in the area on work-related business, or maybe you planned a little fall family getaway; you didn’t plan on any golf because it didn’t seem to fit into the picture. Then, low and behold, some free time opens up—but you didn’t book a golf package.

No problem. Sure, putting together a golf vacation package is an excellent idea for planning a getaway in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. But there’s another option: golf-only tee times.

This is easy enough to do—just visit the “Golf-Only Tee Times” page on the Gulf Shores Golf Association website and browse the available golf times for the area’s signature golf courses. It also tells you the range of prices at each golf course. And if you are literally out and about and looking to book a tee time, just visit the Golf Gulf Shores mobile site.

Conveniently is the best way to book a round of golf. Get out there and enjoy those Gulf Coast greens.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Nothing Like a Songwriters Festival to Spruce Up Your Golf Vacation

Ever golfed in November? Cold temperatures, dreary weather, hands freezing as you try to putt…if you’re playing up north somewhere in November.

Try playing in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach in November and it’s a completely different story. Yes, it’s cooler weather from summer, but it’s a comfortable coolness—certainly not freezing. And for those who enjoy a little live music (or a lot of live music) during their golf vacation, the next big chance is coming up in November.


The 29th Annual Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival is scheduled to take place November 7th – 17th in the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach area. Interested in seeing the potential music stars of tomorrow? This is the place to be. Multiple venues in Perdido Key, Pensacola, and Gulf Shores & Orange Beach will be featuring both up-and-coming musicians and Grammy award winning songwriters.

It’s a good time to book a Gulf Coast golf vacation: spend the day on the golf course, spend the evening enjoying a variety of music. The perfect fall vacation.

Start planning now!

Thursday, October 3, 2013

A Shrimp Festival and Golf: A Perfect October Vacation Combo

I’ve said it many times, and I’ll say it again: golf in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach in the fall is a wonderful thing. You simply can’t beat the weather (and the fall rates!). But if you want to really pinpoint a perfect date for your fall golf getaway, plan to be there October 10th – 13th.

Not only is October an ideal time of year to visit the Gulf, but this specific time frame is when the 42nd Annual National Shrimp Festival is taking place in Gulf Shores. This is a very popular Gulf Coast event, not only for the 200 pounds of delicious shrimp that is prepared each day (in addition to other edible treats) but also because of the ongoing live music, the arts and crafts vendors, and activities like the sandcastle contest and the new “Shrimp Festival Idol” competition.

It’s an excellent event to combine with a golf vacation. The festivities go on throughout the day, so you can squeeze in a round of golf on one of the area’s signature golf courses at whatever time suits you. It’s an ideal event for families, too—plenty for kids to do at the Children’s Activity Village.

And if you feel like stepping up your physical activity level, you could always participate in the Shrimp Fest 10K/5K Run—a good way to work off all the good food you’ll undoubtedly be eating.

Make a point to be there—you won’t regret it.

Friday, September 27, 2013

Combine Fishing and Golf This Fall for the Perfect Vacation

Being so close to October, I think it’s time to hook a fall golf vacation in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. I mean, actually hook it—throw the fishing pole in with the golf clubs and head to the Gulf for both golf and fishing.

Anyone who’s done a Gulf Shores & Orange Beach golf getaway knows that the golf is rewarding all on its own, thanks to the variety of scenic and challenging Gulf Coast golf courses. But it is the Gulf Coast—fishing in some way, shape, or form is practically a necessity. After all, the area is home to one of the largest charter fishing boat fleets in the world.


Plus fishing just makes a nice addition to a golf vacation. You’re already down there with a group (no matter how big or small) of friends and/or family members, so the fishing party is already set—golf one day, Gulf angling the next. And fall is a fantastic time of year for both golf and fishing, especially since October 1st marks the beginning of a two-week fall snapper season this year.

Beautiful fall weather, red snapper, and golf. It’s a dream vacation.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Golf Isn’t the Only Reason to Head to the Gulf Coast This Fall

Ah, September. The month when fall begins. It feels good to get to this point of the summer—the end of summer. It will feel even better when actual fall weather sets in.

But the best feeling will come with the arrival of that fall golf vacation in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. Gulf Coast golf in the fall is such a welcome change from summer: cooler, comfortable weather compared with the heat of summer. Morning golf is still very much an option—we’re certainly not talking cold weather here. But take away the brutal summer heat and afternoon and evening golf becomes even more of an appealing option. The area is also less crowded in the fall, which is a big golf bonus in my opinion—much less pressure to let others play through when I’m lagging on the course.

Plus you get so much more than just golf when you visit in the fall. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach events like the 42nd Annual National Shrimp Festival (October 10th – 13th) make a nice addition to a golf vacation—fine arts, arts and crafts, live music, and lots of shrimp (and other seafood). It’s just an all-around good time. Other upcoming fall events include the 10th Annual John L. Borom Alabama Coastal Birdfest (October 3rd – 5th), the Alabama Festival of Flavor (October 18th – 19th), and the Original German Sausage Festival (October 26th).

It’s a good time of year for golf and, apparently, eating. Plan to be there and see for yourself.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Golf and Football: A Perfect Combination for Fall

Well, the SEC BeachFest has come and gone—as has the SEC BeachFest Golf Tournament. A good time was had by all, and several legendary SEC coaches turned up to participate, like former Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson, pictured here at Craft Farms. The participation of all competitors is much appreciated!

It was a great way to kick-off the SEC football season. Now on to actual SEC football! I just love this time of year: the start of fall, the start of football…the two simply go hand-in-hand, almost like one could not exist without the other.

And I know right where I want to watch some of these football games: from the living area of my Gulf Shores & Orange Beach condo during my fall golf vacation. Because fall is also the perfect time of year for golf, especially on the Gulf Coast, with its cooler but still warm temperatures.

So there it is—the perfect fall vacation. Golf, the beach, and SEC football on the t.v. of a beach condo. Ready to book it yet?

Thursday, August 8, 2013

The SEC BeachFest Is Only One Week Away!

Only one week to go until the 2013 SEC BeachFest! If you’ve planned your Gulf Shores & Orange Beach golf vacation around the BeachFest (August 15 – 18), plan on having a blast: signature golf courses and a weekend-long SEC football season kickoff party. Weekend passes are still available.

If you haven’t planned on being here for the event but are now thinking you’d like to attend, you have a couple choices for incorporating golf. First, there’s always the prospect of a golf vacation. It’s easy enough to plan—get a customized quote on a golf package, or use the Gulf Shores Golf Association’s interactive planner to help kick-start the planning process.

Then there’s the SEC BeachFest Golf Scramble, which starts Thursday, August 15th. Entry in the golf scramble gets you three rounds of golf at Craft Farms (one round at Kiva Dunes if your foursome qualifies for finals), two days of complimentary breakfast and lunch, a gift bag, and of course free tickets to the SEC BeachFest—which gives you access to the FanZone and legendary SEC coaches and players.

Sounds pretty sweet, right? Just imagine if your golf group wins—now you’re looking at a trip for eight to the SEC Football Championship in Atlanta, which includes VIP passes to the game, a two-night hotel stay, and other perks.

Yes, you do have time to plan a trip to this awesome Gulf Shores event. Start planning now!

Friday, July 19, 2013

Have You Planned a Sink-and-Swim Vacation Yet?

It’s a great time of year for a sink-and-swim vacation. You know—sink your putt, then go for a swim.

Because let’s face it: it’s hot. And playing golf in the heat can be grueling at times (but still not a problem for the true golf-lover). So you can’t deny that once that summertime round of golf is finished, jumping into a refreshing pool of water sounds pretty good.

Or jumping into the Gulf—and that’s one reason that Gulf Shores & Orange Beach is such an ideal location for a summer golf vacation. We have the Gulf of Mexico. And we have a wide selection of Gulf-front condos and hotels that offer amenities like pools; some even have lazy rivers, which adds a whole new level of post-golf relaxation.

The other reason Gulf Shores & Orange Beach is ideal for a summer golf vacation? Nine signature golf courses, and each one is very much worth playing. So that would actually be nine reasons for spending your golf getaway here—at anytime of the year.

You can even check out some sample rates here to figure out which accommodations would work best—and which pool you’d get to enjoy.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

The SEC BeachFest and a Golf Tournament—It’s All Happening This August!

If you love golf, and you love the beach, and (naturally) you love a good golf vacation at the beach, then there are several happenings you’ll want to take note of for this summer.

First, there’s the SEC BeachFest, which is taking place August 15th – 18th in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. SEC football fans, you’ll want to check this one out—it’s basically a weekend-long kickoff party to celebrate the start of the SEC football season. Not only will legendary SEC coaches and players be present at this event, but several other events will take place in conjunction with the beach fest.
 
Which brings us to the next noteworthy event: the SEC BeachFest Golf Scramble. Scheduled for August 15th – 17th, this golf tournament will take place at Craft Farms, Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club, and Gulf Shores Golf Club. The fee to enter the tournament ($1200 per foursome) will get you two rounds of golf (plus an additional round at Kiva Dunes if your foursome qualifies for finals), four tickets to the SEC BeachFest, two days of complimentary breakfast and lunch, gift bags, and more.

Want a chance at participating in this Gulf Shores golf scramble for free? The Gulf Shores Golf Association is giving away one free entry in their latest sweepstakes. All you have to do for a chance to win is enter your information (name, address, etc.).

Now you have every reason to plan on being here in August.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Now That It’s Summer, Let’s Keep Cool on the Golf Course

No matter how big a golf enthusiast you are, you can’t deny this one fact: it’s hot. Summer is finally here, and although we do love the heat in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach (there’s no better way to enjoy a swim in the Gulf), playing golf in the heat can be tough.

While keeping your cool on the golf course can be equally as tough—sometimes that slice just won’t go away no matter how many adjustments you make—simply keeping cool is a little more manageable if you follow these basic tips.

If possible, play during the coolest temperatures—in the morning before the sun beats down on the course. You’ll at least start your round before the heat really sets in. Dress in light, comfortable clothing, and stay hydrated with plenty of cold water. Hats help too—anything to ward off the sun. And avoid overly salty and sugary foods and snacks that might dehydrate you.

Several Gulf Shores & Orange Beach golf courses also offer special features to help you beat the heat on the course. Cotton Creek and Cypress Bend at Craft Farms, for example, offers ice-cold towels. And they’re mango-scented, which helps you feel extra refreshed. And Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club offers chilled apples at the first tee of all three nines.

Finally, follow up your game with a refreshing drink and a little air conditioning in the golf club’s clubhouse. Then retreat to your condo or hotel for a dip in the pool.

And that’s how you enjoy a golf vacation in the summer.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Gulf Coast Golf and SEC Football Make an Excellent Combination

Golf and SEC football—two of the greatest sports ever. Both are great to watch and…well we know golf is great to play, but probably most of us never had the chance to play SEC football, though you very well may have attended a college with an SEC football team.

And no, this is not completely random rambling. Just a little more than two months away is the SEC BeachFest in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. If you’re eagerly awaiting the return of SEC football this fall and want to kick-off the start of the season Gulf Coast style, then plan to be here August 15th – 18th. Live concerts, alumni happy hours at several Gulf Shores & Orange Beach restaurants, and appearances by legendary SEC coaches and players are some of the things you can expect at this event.

Then there’s the SEC BeachFest Golf Scramble on August 16th and 17th (see, I told you it wasn’t
completely random). Not only do participants get to enjoy playing golf at Craft Farms, Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club, or Gulf Shores Golf Club (and Kiva Dunes if they’re part of a qualifying team), they also get four free tickets to the SEC BeachFest, complimentary breakfast and lunch on both days, a gift bag, and the chance to meet legendary SEC coaches. And that’s just for playing—imagine actually winning!

Could be a good week to take that Gulf Shores golf vacation. Gather up your best golfing buddies and get to planning!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Dads and Golf Go Together Like Sand and the Gulf


If your dad is like mine, he loves golf and he loves the beach. These two factors practically scream “golf vacation in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach!”

So with Father’s Day just around the corner (June 16th), you just might have a great gift idea for Dad here. Plan a golf trip for him, or plan one for yourself and bring Dad (and Mom, of course) along. It could even be a good opportunity for a little family reunion on the beach (beach houses and condos make great lodging for large groups…).


But best of all, he’ll get to play at any of nine signature Gulf Shores golf courses. Scenic and challenging—ideal for the golf-loving dad. And by planning a golf vacation package, not only can you pick and choose which golf courses to play, but you can also ensure you get the perfect accommodations to fit your needs. Stay right on the Gulf so when the golfing is done for the day, you can enjoy the area’s white-sand beaches.

There’s still plenty of time before Father’s Day. Stop over at the Golf Gulf Shores website and start planning that golf getaway for Dad!

Friday, May 10, 2013

Longer Days Mean More Gulf Coast Golf


We’ve reached that wonderful time of year when the days are finally getting longer. More daylight later into the evening hours means more time to do those fun, outdoor activities we love to do during spring—like play golf.

This is a great thing for us big-time golf enthusiasts. It means we’re no longer limited to weekend, daytime hours, it means we can play after work (which is especially nice after a stressful day), and it means we can more easily take advantage of replay options during a golf vacation in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach.


Golf replay options are a favorite of mine—play in the morning at the course’s regular rate, then play again in the afternoon or evening at a lower rate. You get the most golf for your money this way, and, especially being in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, you can work in other activities—like a trip to the beach or a favorite attraction, or simply have lunch at the course clubhouse or a nearby Gulf Coast restaurant.

So when you’re in the area for your spring golf vacation, be sure to ask about the replay option. And if you haven’t scheduled that spring vacation yet…well, you know what to do.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Celebrate Mother’s Day on the Golf Course


Mother’s Day is less than a month away, and I’ve been scrambling to think of the perfect gift for my much-deserving mom. Sure, I could do another big, beautiful bouquet of flowers and a gift certificate to her favorite restaurant. But sometimes it’s nice to do something really special.

Then it dawned on me the other day: My mom loves golf too. I’ve done the gift-of-golf thing for my dad a couple of times—no reason why I can’t do it for my golf-loving mom as well.

There are a couple ways to do this. I could buy a couple of rounds of golf during their next Gulf Shores & Orange Beach vacation. (And yes, it does have to be golf in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach; you simply can’t beat nine signature golf courses.) This is an easy enough option thanks to the Golf-Only Teetimes feature on the Golf Gulf Shores website.

My other option is to plan an actual Gulf Shores golf vacation for them—Mother’s Day weekend would be an apt choice! And it doesn’t hurt that, with this plan, I could tag along—celebrate Mother’s Day with my mother, on the golf course.

No other gift could possibly top that.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Plan to Bring Your Golf Group to the Gulf


Family reunions, a friends’ getaway, a business trip with colleagues and/or clients…. There are all sorts of reasons for putting together a golf group for a golf getaway. And there are just as many (and maybe more) reasons for planning that getaway in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach.

First of all, the area offers nine signature golf courses—plenty of options to choose from. You could choose to play only at one or two courses during your stay, for consistency. Or you could mix things up and play a different course each day.

Where you stay is also an important factor. Hotels are always a convenient option, although for a group golf getaway, more space might be necessary—like in a condo or beach house. Fortunately, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach again offers many options in the way of accommodations.

And tying all of these details together is easy enough to do—just visit the Gulf Shores Golf Association website to get a customized quote. Simply fill in information like the number of people in your group, golf and accommodations preferences, etc., and you’re on your way to planning one memorable group golf vacation.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Kick Back with Great Nightlife After a Round of Golf


You spent a good day out on the golf course (and whether or not you had an actual good round of golf doesn’t matter—any day on a Gulf Shores golf course is a good day). Maybe you wound down afterward with a Gulf-side walk on the beach, or a dip in your condominium’s pool, got cleaned up and are relaxing as the sun goes down.

Now what?

The night doesn’t have to end there—in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, the night is just beginning. Dinner out on the town is a good place to start, and there are plenty of dining options in the area. Enjoy a relaxing evening at a place like Cobalt the Restaurant in Orange Beach (the view alone is worth checking out). Or keep the evening going by picking a place with live entertainment—places like Live Bait Food & Spirits and Tacky Jacks are good options.

If live music appeals to you, then a Gulf Coast concert might be in order. Kenny Chesney (with special guests Eli Young Band and Kacey Musgraves) is scheduled to perform in Orange Beach on April 11th.

And don’t forget about the Hangout Music Festival on May 17th – 19th. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are on the books to perform, along with many, many other artists—don’t miss it!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

The Gulf Shores Golf Association Mobile Site Makes Planning Easy

Let’s say you’re out to lunch with your boss one day and he mentions how he and his wife are looking for a good vacation location. What do you do?

First, you recommend Gulf Shores & Orange Beach because you know it’s an all-around awesome vacation destination. Then—because you know he and his wife are avid golfers—you direct him to the Golf Gulf Shores website, because you know he’ll find good information and ways to plan a golf vacation there.

But to really drive the point home (and make yourself look good), you pull out your phone and bring up the Golf Gulf Shores mobile site. Now he can explore the nine signature golf courses, Gulf-front accommodations, restaurants, and maps relating to all of this for himself. He can even get a custom quote on a golf package and book a tee time if he wants.

Or, if this scenario never comes up, you can check out the mobile site yourself—it’s convenient planning while on the go. And convenience is key to a relaxing vacation, right?

Make that first step as easy as possible, and get your golf vacation started off right.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Spring Is Coming—Get a Custom Quote for Your Golf Vacation


One month. That’s how long we have until the official start of spring. And according to the groundhog earlier this month, we’ll have an early spring. All of this means one thing to me: time to dust off the golf clubs and prepare for spring golf.

One of the best ways I can think of to do this is to start planning that spring golf vacation. This is easy enough to do—just visit the Gulf Shores Golf Association’s website to get a custom quote on a golf vacation package. Simply fill in information about your desired vacation (arrival and departure dates, number of golfers, desired lodging, etc.) and a quote for your customized golf package is emailed to you.

Then you’re on your way to an amazing Gulf Shores & Orange Beach golf getaway, customized just the way you like it—whether it includes one day of golf during a weekend stay at a beach hotel, or a whole week of golf and a luxurious Gulf-front condo.

I would argue that any time of the year is a good time to golf on the Gulf—you could go down right now and experience much nicer, milder weather than many other parts of the country are getting—but spring truly is an ideal season for a beach vacation and rounds of golf on nine signature golf courses.

I’ll be thinking and dreaming of my spring golf trip over these last few weeks of winter. Can’t wait to get down there!

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

A Couples Golf Vacation Makes a Nice Gift


Guys, this is your friendly reminder that Valentine’s Day is this Thursday—if you haven’t picked out that special gift yet, you better hurry up and get on that.

If you’re stumped on what exactly that special gift should be, I’d like to make a recommendation: plan a couple’s golf getaway to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. Just you, your better half, and several rounds of golf on the Gulf Coast. And of course the white-sand beach and a Gulf-front condo or hotel, if you want—it’s all part of the package.

That package is easy enough to book if you visit the Gulf Shores Golf Association website—just click on the “Plan” tab on the homepage to get started. Remember, the actual trip doesn’t have to take place this weekend. Booking a surprise golf vacation for any upcoming time of year would be enough of a pleasant Valentine’s surprise.

Spring is right around the corner…perhaps a spring golf getaway, just the two of you, is in order!

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Schedule That Gulf Shores Golf Vacation During Mardi Gras for Extra Fun


It’s that time of year again—time for beads and moon pies and Gulf Coast parades. One week from today is Fat Tuesday, and the Mardi Gras festivities are already underway.

If you’re headed down to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach sometime in the next week for a golf vacation, you’re in for a treat. If you’re not, why not plan for it now? A Gulf vacation involving both golf and Mardi Gras events can make for a fun and diverse vacation—and is only possible this time of year.

So your days could go something like this: enjoy a leisurely breakfast in your Gulf Shores condo (or have breakfast out), then enjoy a round of late morning/early afternoon golf at one of the area’s nine signature golf courses. (That’s one thing I love about golf in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach this time of year—the daytime temperatures are perfect for afternoon golf.) Next head off to whatever Mardi Gras event is scheduled for that afternoon/evening.

Some events that are scheduled include LuLu’s Krewe De Lu Roux Mardi Gras Ball on February 6th, The Wharf Children and Pet’s Mardi Gras Parade on February 10th, and the Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade on February 12th. Hope to see you there!

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Thaw out in Gulf Shores

Enjoy great golf in January
As I write this post, I'm feeling a little guilty. But only a little.

Last week saw brutal weather in the Midwest with frigid temperatures and snow. And this week is looking just as cold. Thursday's forecast for Milwaukee calls for a bone-chilling high of only 5 degrees with the overnight low dipping to minus 14.

By contrast here in Gulf Shores, we've been enjoying a very comfortable January. When our Wisconsin friends will be shivering on Thursday, we'll be on the golf course taking advantage of a sunny day with a forecast high in the low 60s. And from there the weekend looks even better with continued sunshine and highs reaching the upper 60s.

So it isn't surprising when I look around the parking lots at our nine signature golf courses that I see license plates from Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Missouri, Indiana, Iowa and other Midwestern and northern states. These snowbirds wisely leave those cold winters behind to come enjoy the sun with us in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach.

If you're ready to escape the cold for a winter golf trip, the Golf Gulf Shores website has all the information you need. I hope to see you soon.