Had a nice taste of cooler weather this past week, and now I have one thing on my mind: fall golf. There’s nothing better—trading in the shorts for a new pair of stylish golf pants, playing the green on a cool, crisp morning, winning a free golf vacation package worth up to $4,000….
Yes, that last one is a possibility. If you’re planning a fall golf vacation—sometime between now and November 7th, 2011—all you have to do is book with a Gulf Shores Golf Association accommodations partner and you’re automatically entered into a drawing, which will take place on November 15th. The winner receives up to $4,000 in a rebate on his or her golf package.
So when I win this drawing (positive thinking!) I can then put my winnings toward my spring trip to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. And if I don’t win, I still get to enjoy my fall golf getaway that I’ve budgeted for anyway. It’s a win-win situation. Count me in!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
New Greens for a New Season
Who’s played on the new greens at Glenlakes Golf Club? Not I—but I plan to this fall. The club reopened on August 16th after resurfacing its greens. My next golf vacation is coming up this fall, and Glenlakes will definitely be on my list of courses to play.
I’m envisioning a refreshing experience when I get down there: cooler weather, fresh, smooth greens, and hiking along some of the Gulf nature trails (a little off-topic, but still an excellent Gulf Shores & Orange Beach fall activity). Playing on new greens can feel like playing on a new course, and I’m looking forward to undertaking this in a whole new season.
Other things going on this fall: the Gulf Coast Golf Expo Tee Off Tournament is taking place on Friday, October 21st at the Gulf Shores Golf Club. The $99 tournament fee includes a cart, lunch, a surprise grab bag, and a two-day VIP ticket to the Gulf Coast Golf Expo.
Fall golf isn’t too far off. Time to start planning the getaway!
I’m envisioning a refreshing experience when I get down there: cooler weather, fresh, smooth greens, and hiking along some of the Gulf nature trails (a little off-topic, but still an excellent Gulf Shores & Orange Beach fall activity). Playing on new greens can feel like playing on a new course, and I’m looking forward to undertaking this in a whole new season.
Other things going on this fall: the Gulf Coast Golf Expo Tee Off Tournament is taking place on Friday, October 21st at the Gulf Shores Golf Club. The $99 tournament fee includes a cart, lunch, a surprise grab bag, and a two-day VIP ticket to the Gulf Coast Golf Expo.
Fall golf isn’t too far off. Time to start planning the getaway!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
What to Do When Golf Isn’t an Option
I learned recently that no matter how well and how far in advance you plan, there’s one factor that can throw a wrench in a golf vacation: the weather. As easy as it was for my buddies and me to plan our golf trip (and the Gulf Shores Golf Association website really does make it easy to put together a golf package), it was just as easy for two days of rain to keep us from two days of golf.
Hey, it happens. The good thing was we were in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach—there were plenty of things to keep us busy during those two rainy days. One of my friends is into art, so we decided to do the museum thing one day. We checked out a few area art museums and galleries, of course, but my favorites were the historic ones—the area has such a rich and fascinating history.
Eating and shopping are good ways to spend rainy days, too, and there are plenty of good choices for either activity. And your condo or hotel will most likely have amenities. Ours had both an indoor pool and an indoor tennis court—we ended up having quite the competitive tennis match one afternoon.
I felt good knowing that our time was nowhere near wasted during those couple days of rain. But we were all glad to finally play golf—the rest of the week was perfect golf weather. I love the Gulf!
Hey, it happens. The good thing was we were in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach—there were plenty of things to keep us busy during those two rainy days. One of my friends is into art, so we decided to do the museum thing one day. We checked out a few area art museums and galleries, of course, but my favorites were the historic ones—the area has such a rich and fascinating history.
Eating and shopping are good ways to spend rainy days, too, and there are plenty of good choices for either activity. And your condo or hotel will most likely have amenities. Ours had both an indoor pool and an indoor tennis court—we ended up having quite the competitive tennis match one afternoon.
I felt good knowing that our time was nowhere near wasted during those couple days of rain. But we were all glad to finally play golf—the rest of the week was perfect golf weather. I love the Gulf!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Playing Golf from Gulf Shores to South Africa
Kiva Dunes is one of those amazing golf courses that just makes you feel like you’re on top of the world—or at least that’s how I feel whenever I play there. The gorgeous Gulf-side layout and the challenge of the course always make me feel like I’m some big pro golfer playing a big-deal tournament—hey, I can dream, right?
Dream though I may, this fantasy may come true to some extent if I play in the World Golf Championship in Gulf Shores next Saturday, August 6th. The tournament itself meets one aspect of my dream, as it will take place at Kiva Dunes. And besides getting to compete against other golfers from across the country—possibly from around the world—the winner gets to advance to the World Golfers Championship/USA Finals in San Antonio in September. Then the winner in San Antonio will get to travel to South Africa for the World Finals in November to represent “Team USA.”
The tournament is open to amateur golfers with handicaps ranging low to high (there are five handicap flights). The cost is $95 per player—a worthwhile fee for a shot at playing golf in South Africa, in my opinion! More information is available on the Gulf Shores Golf Association website.
Dream though I may, this fantasy may come true to some extent if I play in the World Golf Championship in Gulf Shores next Saturday, August 6th. The tournament itself meets one aspect of my dream, as it will take place at Kiva Dunes. And besides getting to compete against other golfers from across the country—possibly from around the world—the winner gets to advance to the World Golfers Championship/USA Finals in San Antonio in September. Then the winner in San Antonio will get to travel to South Africa for the World Finals in November to represent “Team USA.”
The tournament is open to amateur golfers with handicaps ranging low to high (there are five handicap flights). The cost is $95 per player—a worthwhile fee for a shot at playing golf in South Africa, in my opinion! More information is available on the Gulf Shores Golf Association website.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
The Power of Positive Thinking
I am all for positive thinking. It certainly feels better than negative thinking, and it’s played a big role in helping me achieve my goals. Now I have a new, big goal, which will require some big positive thinking: to hit a hole-in-one so I can win a 2011 Jeep Wrangler.
It’s a potential prize if you get a hole-in-one on a certain hole at Cotton Creek at Craft Farms during the upcoming Sixth Annual Charity Golf Tournament to benefit Mary’s Shelter Gulf Coast, which provides shelter for homeless pregnant women. Not only do you get to play golf, eat lunch, participate in a putting contest, and possibly win a new car, but you get to help raise money for a good cause—which is really the best form of positive thinking.
The tournament takes place on August 26th, with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $125 per person and include everything mentioned above plus range balls, Mulligans, and prizes. Visit the Gulf Shores Golf Association website for more information.
Maybe if I keep imagining myself getting a hole-in-one—and really work on my drives over the next few weeks—I’ll win that Jeep. For certain, though, I’ll have fun and feel good about myself. See you on the golf course!
It’s a potential prize if you get a hole-in-one on a certain hole at Cotton Creek at Craft Farms during the upcoming Sixth Annual Charity Golf Tournament to benefit Mary’s Shelter Gulf Coast, which provides shelter for homeless pregnant women. Not only do you get to play golf, eat lunch, participate in a putting contest, and possibly win a new car, but you get to help raise money for a good cause—which is really the best form of positive thinking.
The tournament takes place on August 26th, with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $125 per person and include everything mentioned above plus range balls, Mulligans, and prizes. Visit the Gulf Shores Golf Association website for more information.
Maybe if I keep imagining myself getting a hole-in-one—and really work on my drives over the next few weeks—I’ll win that Jeep. For certain, though, I’ll have fun and feel good about myself. See you on the golf course!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Water Hazards: Love Them or Hate Them?
I have a love-hate relationship with water hazards. I love them for the beauty and challenge they add to a golf course, but I hate the effect they have on my game. Because when I play a hole with a water hazard, my ball just seems drawn to it every time.
Ultimately, though, I love water hazards. It’s a great feeling when, on a good golf day, my ball actually sails past those waters and onto the green. If it’s a bad day—well, I make a stop at the clubhouse to buy a package of balls on my way out. But at least I’ve tried, and that’s the important thing—practice makes perfect, right?
And of all the places I could practice, the various courses in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach have some excellent options, especially when it comes to water hazards. Somehow, just being near the Gulf—the ultimate body of water—makes those hazards that much more appealing. I particularly enjoy courses like Kiva Dunes and Lost Key Golf Club, where the Gulf is just off in the distance. The beauty of these courses, water hazards and all, makes the distinction between a good day and a bad day irrelevant.
Check out some of the water hazards yourself—visit the Gulf Shores Golf Association website to view pictures of all nine signature golf courses in the area.
Ultimately, though, I love water hazards. It’s a great feeling when, on a good golf day, my ball actually sails past those waters and onto the green. If it’s a bad day—well, I make a stop at the clubhouse to buy a package of balls on my way out. But at least I’ve tried, and that’s the important thing—practice makes perfect, right?
And of all the places I could practice, the various courses in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach have some excellent options, especially when it comes to water hazards. Somehow, just being near the Gulf—the ultimate body of water—makes those hazards that much more appealing. I particularly enjoy courses like Kiva Dunes and Lost Key Golf Club, where the Gulf is just off in the distance. The beauty of these courses, water hazards and all, makes the distinction between a good day and a bad day irrelevant.
Check out some of the water hazards yourself—visit the Gulf Shores Golf Association website to view pictures of all nine signature golf courses in the area.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Choosing the Post-Golf Meal
I recently went on a short, solo golf trip and made a discovery: having complete control over where to eat after playing golf is a wonderful thing. If I finish a round and I feel like eating some crab legs by the Gulf, I can do that without having to consult with anyone else.
Usually, when I’m golfing in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, I’m vacationing with at least a couple friends or family members. Agreeing on what to eat can be a challenge. So it was a nice change to play 18 holes and be able to satisfy my appetite exactly as I wanted. I did get those Gulf-side crab legs one day, then the next day I opted for pizza.
But I certainly wouldn’t change my group golf vacations just for the sake of choosing a meal, and if you are vacationing with others, whether it’s a buddies golf trip or a family vacation, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach is an ideal place to be for dining (and, of course, golfing). Seafood, steak dinners, Italian, Mexican, barbecue, and more—it’s all there. Even if you have to compromise with others in your group, you’ll be able to find a restaurant you all enjoy.
Usually, when I’m golfing in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, I’m vacationing with at least a couple friends or family members. Agreeing on what to eat can be a challenge. So it was a nice change to play 18 holes and be able to satisfy my appetite exactly as I wanted. I did get those Gulf-side crab legs one day, then the next day I opted for pizza.
But I certainly wouldn’t change my group golf vacations just for the sake of choosing a meal, and if you are vacationing with others, whether it’s a buddies golf trip or a family vacation, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach is an ideal place to be for dining (and, of course, golfing). Seafood, steak dinners, Italian, Mexican, barbecue, and more—it’s all there. Even if you have to compromise with others in your group, you’ll be able to find a restaurant you all enjoy.
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