(GULF SHORES, ALABAMA) – Powerboat races, seafood festivals and golf packages starting at less than $100 per night provide a gravitational pull to Gulf Shores this fall, where playing conditions are now ideal.
The “Win Your Golf Trip for Free” sweepstakes is also a hot topic of conversation among savvy golf travelers and buddy-trip groups. Each group booking a golf getaway at www.golf.gulfshores.com will be automatically entered into a drawing to have the value of their golf package rebated, up to $4,000.
Stays must conclude no later than Nov. 7 to be eligible; see www.golf.gulfshores.com/plan/quotes/ for the “Win Your Golf Trip for Free” promotion entry/details.
“The weather is consistently beautiful now through November along the Gulf coast,” said Duncan Millar, executive director of Golf Gulf Shores. “Attractive rates on our nine courses and a wealth of area events like our Annual Shrimp Festival make for a fun weekend getaway option, long after Northern golf courses close.”
Here’s a sampling of “starting-at” package prices for family, buddy trip and couples getaways – including all taxes and fees – from a few of Golf Gulf Shores’ accommodation partners.
Family Golf and Gulf Trip: 2 Bedroom Gulf Front Condominium
Starting-at Rate: $89.54 per person per night for golf and room
Description: Starting-at rate based on 4 people staying in a two-bedroom condominium with Gulf Coast views, with one king bed, two twin beds and a sleeper sofa. Valid through Nov. 6.
Buddy Trip: 2 Bedroom Golf Course Condominium
Starting-at Rate: $73.31 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 and four queen beds. Valid Nov. 7-Feb. 26, 2012.
Couples Golf Getaway: Double Queen Hotel Room
Starting-at Rate: $81.00 per person per night for golf and room
Description: Starting-at rate based on 2 people staying in one room with two queen beds and a deluxe continental breakfast. Valid Nov. 7-Feb. 26, 2012.
The Unlimited Play Golf Package – available for Golf Gulf Shores’ prime fall season – remains a popular choice as well. Golfers need only request unlimited golf through the custom quote form at GolfGulfShores.com.
All packages are based on a group of four golfers staying four nights and playing three rounds of golf at three different pre-determined courses. Visit http://www.golf.gulfshores.com/stay/allrates.aspx for more information.
Autumn Also Means Plenty of Fun Off the Course: Golfers seeking post-round activities in Gulf Shores will find many diversions, and the fall season offers some huge events – including Thunder on the Gulf 2011, the National Shrimp Festival and The Gulfcoast Golf Expo.
Thunder on the Gulf 2011 – scheduled Oct. 6-9 off Orange Beach at Gulf State Park Pavilion – is rated as one of the Southeast’s Top 20 Events, according to the Southeast Tourism Society. Open to the public daily from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., this family friendly event allows race fans to observe the monster race boats and their teams, purchase official race merchandise, check out the vendors, enjoy a boat parade and live entertainment, and lets kids play at the Kids Pavilion. Shuttles will run from Gulf Shores and Orange Beach to all racing venues. Admission is free, VIP Passes are $100 each, plus tax. Call 866.954.7223 or visit www.thunderonthegulf.com.
Golfers – and families – are encouraged to head to the 40th Annual National Shrimp Festival, Oct. 13-16, at Gulf Shores’ Main Public Beach. The event attracts more than 300,000 people for the great, fresh gulf seafood, live music from major national recording artists and local favorites, more than 300 fine art-and-crafts vendors and a popular Children’s Activity Village. Daily hours are 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and admission is free. Visit www.nationalshrimpfestival.com or call 251.968.4237.
The Gulfcoast Golf Expo at the Wharf will provide the perfect off-course diversion Oct. 21-23. For just $99, folks who participate in the Oct. 21 Gulfcoast Golf Expo Tee Off Tournament at Gulf Shores Golf Club receive a spot in the tournament, cart, lunch, surprise grab bag, unlimited range balls and a two-day VIP expo admission ticket to the Expo, which is open Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at The Orange Beach Event Center at the Wharf. The Expo includes Simulators; manufacturer demo stations; long drive, putting and chipping contests; seminars; and giveaways and door prizes from top manufacturers. Tickets: $8 (door), free (under 14). Parking is free. Visit http://rvexpo.net/site/orange-beach-golf-show/ for more information or to sign up for the Gulfcoast Golf Expo Tee Off Tournament.
To sign up for a free subscription to the Golf Gulf Shores monthly e-newsletter, visit http://www.golf.gulfshores.com/plan/enews/default.asp or call 1.888.815.1902. To view up-to-the-minute news, photos, events and special offers, see facebook.com/GolfGulfShores or follow Golf Gulf Shores 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.
Lost Key – The stunning course, redesigned by the Arnold Palmer Design Group in 2006, rewards accuracy off the tee and with approaches as it winds through woods and wetlands. It also boasts a new state-of-the-art clubhouse.
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
