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 42^nd Annual National Shrimp Festival (October 10^th – 13^th) 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 10^th Annual John L. Borom Alabama Coastal Birdfest (October 3^rd – 5^th), the Alabama Festival of Flavor (October 18^th – 19^th), and the Original German Sausage Festival (October 26^th).

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

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?

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 15^th. 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!

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.

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 15^th – 18^th 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 15^th – 17^th, 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.

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.

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 15^th – 18^th. 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 16^th and 17^th (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!