News and notes from the Alabama golf coast
(Gulf Shores, Ala.) – Gulf Shores is experiencing a flourishing spring golf travel season and is trending to exceed 2010 bookings due to its competitive marketing approach this year.
Golf Gulf Shores, the CVB-led regional golf tourism association, reports that golf rounds and bookings into the destination so far are ahead of last year’s figures. Website inquiries are on the rise on golfgulfshores.com, and travelers are offering positive feedback on the quality of their recent experiences, with a 100% “intent to return” factor from all reporting visitors in 2011.
Golfers have also responded to the variety of price-point options, offering play at nine quality courses and over 20,000 accommodations units with booking ease.
“We feel that Gulf Shores wants us to bring our group here for our yearly trip,” said one Kentucky visitor in a recent survey. “Other locations that we have visited wanted us but never showed us the hospitality that we get in Gulf Shores.”
The destination was also lauded for its visitor-friendly website booking tool that produces quick and thorough quotes based on a guest’s own preferences, putting the power in the hands of travelers to customize their stay at very attractive rates.
“Gulf Shores prides itself on its people, and it’s edifying to see that our friendliness and efficiency push us ahead of other destinations,” said Golf Gulf Shores Executive Director Duncan Millar. “Our golfers clearly love it here.”
Most spring golf packages that include accommodations and golf start under $100 per person per night through May, based on multiple night stays.
Kiva Dunes Named to Golfweek “Best Courses You Can Play” Ranking
The iconic Kiva Dunes, one of Golf Gulf Shores’ most lauded courses, claimed the no. 2 spot on Golfweek’s state-by-state “Best Courses You Can Play” Alabama ranking, released last week.
The Jerry Pate design has received numerous accolades from Golf Digest, GOLF Magazine and others since the links-style layout opened in 1994, most recently from Golfweek’s 2011 Top 100 Resort Courses in America issued late last year.
Alabama Native Wins Nike Head-to-Toe Sweepstakes
Keith Heitt of Auburn, Ala. will receive new clubs, a new golf bag, clothing, shoes and more as the winner of Golf Gulf Shores’ Nike Head-to-Toe Sweepstakes. More than $3,500 in Nike merchandise will be delivered to Heitt when he travels to the destination with his seven buddies in early April.
The prize pack, awarded in a random drawing this month, includes A VR Tour driver from Nike, as well as a Fairway Wood, Hybrid and wedges, and Method putter. In true winner fashion, Heitt’s name will also be embroidered onto his new Nike Tour bag.
Golf Gulf Shores is currently running a sweepstakes to give away a complete home technology package – including an Apple iPad, HD television and a Sony PlayStation 3 game system – from now until May 8 on its website, golfgulfshores.com.
To view up-to-the-minute news, photos, events and special offers, see facebook.com/GolfGulfShores or follow the GSGA on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GolfGulfShores.
Travelers can also sign up for a free subscription to the Golf Gulf Shores monthly e-newsletter at www.golfgulfshores.com.
About Golf Gulf Shores
Golf Gulf Shores is the moniker for the Gulf Shores Golf Association, the partnership that promotes the destination and its custom golf packages built by its partners, for golf groups, families, and corporate outings. The destination offers nine golf courses, countless lodging options and a wealth of outdoor activity on its 32-mile waterfront destination. For more information, see www.golfgulfshores.com or call 888-815-1902. Course highlights:
Cotton Creek at Craft Farms – An Honours Golf facility and Arnold Palmer Signature Design with generous fairways lined by Southern Hardwoods, undulating greens and a championship test from 7,028 yards.
Cypress Bend at Craft Farms – The sister Honours Golf property to Cotton Creek, the Arnold Palmer Signature Design meanders through cord-grass accented lakes
Glenlakes Golf Club – Scottish-style links course designed by Von Hagge and known for its extensive bunkering and postage-stamp greens.
Kiva Dunes – A “Top 100 Course in America” by Golf Digest, the Jerry Pate design is the only beachfront resort course in Gulf Shores.
Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club – An Honours Golf property, the 27-hole facility offers chilled apples on the tee. The 830-acre park includes 30 lakes and fairways surrounded by Bon Secour Wildlife Preserve.
Rock Creek Golf Club – Also owned by Honours Golf and boasting rolling terrain and fairways lined by pines, the Earl Stone design overlooks freshwater wetlands and the Rock Creek basin.
TimberCreek Golf Club – This 27-hole design was crafted by Earl Stone and feels like an inland Carolina course with fairways lined by loblolly pines, dogwoods and magnolias.
Gulf Shores Golf Club -This was the Gulf Shores’ first course. Opened it 1960, it was redesigned by Jay and Carter Morrish in 2005.
Contact:
Janeen Driscoll, Buffalo Communications
910-690-9711 jdriscoll@buffalocommunications.com
Gary Trask, Buffalo Communications
978-228.0314 gtrask@buffalocommunications.com
