Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez heading to Craft Farms; spring and summer stay-and-play packages start at $77 per person
(GULF SHORES, ALABAMA) – The 32-mile stretch of beach and seven golf courses in Gulf Shores are preparing for a vibrant summer of activity and events that begin in May.
Live music festivals featuring top-name performers, LPGA star visits, fishing and dining on local seafood provide the perfect combination for golfers traveling with their families. Golf packages with stays in multi-bedroom condos located in the center of the summer beach action start at $77 per person per night, giving players a base point to launch an active vacation for all.
See below for a list of key dates and events to combine fun and golf this summer:
May 3-4: Play golf in the morning at Lost Key, the Peninsula Club or Kiva Dunes, then take the family to nearby Pensacola to see the Blue Angels Air Show at 2 p.m. Shows are free and open to the public.
If you’re looking for other adventures with the family, head to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, where kids can head backstage for a series of Animal Encounters, where they can cuddle and feed baby kangaroos, lemurs and cubs during the summer months.
May 13-14: LPGA legend and World Golf Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez will be featured at a dinner on May 13 and conduct a golf clinic and hitting exhibition on May 14 at Craft Farms, to benefit the Golf Coast Christian Academy. The first annual Alabama Gulf Coast Christian Academy Golf Tournament will follow at 1 p.m. on the Cypress Bend course. All events are open to the public, with a reservation.
Tickets for the Friday dinner, to be held at the Magnolia Court Restaurant in Foley, are on sale now starting at $75 per person; entry fee for the golf tournament is $100 per person and includes golf, breakfast and lunch. For more information call 251-989-2323.
May 14: While golfers play in the charity event, golf widows can enjoy the Orange Beach Wine Festival from 11 am – 6 pm, featuring wine tastings and live music. Tickets are $45; see orangebeachwinefestival.com for more.
Boat rides and dolphin tours through the Gulf are also available for time on the water.
May 20th: The Hangout Beach, Music and Art Festival will sellout soon, but if you’ve already acquired tickets to see any of the 60 bands performing from 12 noon to 11 p.m., you’re in luck. Take in an early round to beat the heat at Gulf Shores Golf Club, under new ownership, or Timber Creek and then rock on with the Foo Fighters, Celo Green and Paul Simon, among others. Three-day passes are $159; see hangoutmusicfest.com for more information.
May 28-29: Celebrate Memorial Day at Lulu Palooza at Lulu’s, the restaurant owned by Jimmy Buffett’s sister. Free, family-friendly music will run through the weekend. A great weekend to spend with the family as summer kicks into high gear. No reservations are taken or needed. Try Glenlakes or Rock Creek during the holiday weekend.
Throughout May: Book your golf package at Golfgulfshores.com and customize your stay by receiving quick quotes from the region’s many accommodations partners, as well as check availability for golf. Packages start at $77 per golfer per night, including all taxes and fees. Most rooms have views of the Gulf and multiple-room condominiums are available. Minimum night stays may be required at most locations.
See below for family, buddy trip and couples getaway options available from May 9 to August 7:
Buddy Trip: 2 Bedroom Golf Course Condominium
Starting at Rate: $76.50 per person per night for golf and room
Description: Starting at rate based on 4 people staying in a two-bedroom condominium with golf course views, with one either one king or queen bed, two twin beds and a sleeper sofa.
Family Golf and Gulf Trip: 2 Bedroom Gulf Front Condominium
Starting at Rate: $101.04 per person per night golf and room
Description: Starting at rate based on 4 people staying in a two bedroom condo with Gulf Coast views, with one queen bed and three twin beds.
Romantic Getaway: Double Queen Gulf Front Hotel
Starting at Rate: $104.11 per person per night for golf and room
Description: Starting at rate based on 2 people staying in one room with two queen beds or king size bed.
For more information or to sign up for a free subscription to the Golf Gulf Shores monthly e-newsletter, visit www.golfgulfshores.com or call 1.888.815.1902.
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.
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. Course highlights:
Cotton Creek at Craft Farms – Arnold Palmer Signature Design with generous fairways lined by Southern Hardwoods, undulating greens and a championship test from 7,028 yards, and owned and operated by Honours Golf.
Cypress Bend at Craft Farms – The sister Honours Golf property to Cotton Creek, the Arnold Palmer Signature Design meanders through cord-grass accented lakes which come into play on nearly every hole.
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 – Owned and operated by Honours Golf, 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 – Formerly known as The Golf Club of the Wharf, this was the Gulf Shores’ first course. Opened it 1960, it was redesigned by Jay and Carter Morrish in 2005.
For more information: www.golfgulfshores.com, 888-815-1902.
Contact:
Janeen Driscoll, Buffalo Communications
910-690-9711 jdriscoll@buffalocommunications.com
Gary Trask, Buffalo Communications
978-228.0314 gtrask@buffalocommunications.com
