Free summer activities highlight area event calendar; courtyard by Marriott Gulf Shores unveils renovation
(GULF SHORES, ALABAMA) – The Gulf Shores Golf Association – home to 32 miles of sugar-white-sand beaches and nine signature courses – reports today that package rounds and bookings are up 17% compared to 2011 YTD. In addition, 100% of visitors who filled out a guest satisfaction survey reported an “intent to return” and 96% of respondents said they were “very satisfied” with Gulf Shores/Orange Beach as a golf destination.
“Our repeat business has always been robust and that’s a sure sign our guests love the destination for its quality of courses, lodging options and local restaurants and non-golf activities,” said Gulf Shores Golf Association Executive Director Duncan Millar.
Many survey respondents remarked they appreciated the visitor friendly tool at GolfGulfShores.com that quickly produces detailed quotes based on each guest’s preferences. The conditions of the golf courses and exceptional service received throughout the area were also noted often.
Stay-and-play packages with lodging located in the center of the beach action, or directly on a golf course, can be easily customized via GolfGulfShores.com. Most summer golf packages start at under $100 per person, per night, based on multiple night stays, and include accommodations, golf and taxes. The fall season is also an ideal time to visit the area and quotes can be easily facilitated now at GolfGulfShores.com.
For more information or to sign up for a free subscription to the Golf Gulf Shores monthly e-newsletter, visit GolfGulfShores.com or call 1.888.815.1902. Unlimited golf options, a new tee-time-booking system and a mobile version of the website are also available.
Live Music, Hot Air Balloon Festival and Fireworks Highlight Gulf Shores Summer Events
Gulf Shores is preparing for flurry of summer activities, making it a popular destination for family vacations, buddy trips and weekend getaways.
Below are some upcoming activities that are free of charge and unique to the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area:
May 26-27: Spend Memorial Day Weekend at Lulu Palooza at Lulu’s, the restaurant owned by Jimmy Buffett’s sister. Free, family-friendly music will run throughout the weekend. Musical guests include The Lee Boys, Honey Island Swamp Band, Eric Lindell, Dead Clampitt, Roddie Romero, the Hub City All-Stars, and many more.
June 15-17: The sky will be bursting with color when the 8th Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival comes to Foley Sportspark. In addition to viewing the 50 vibrant hot air balloons, visitors can enjoy live music, homemade ice cream, local seafood, an arts and crafts festival and shows by the world famous K9 Frisbee Dogs.
July 4: Celebrate Independence Day by taking in the Gulf Shores Annual Fireworks Extravaganza! Visible from any Gulf Shores area beach, the display is choreographed to patriotic music throughout the show.
To view up-to-the-minute news, photos, events and special offers, visit Facebook.com/GolfGulfShores or follow the GSGA on Twitter at Twitter.com/GolfGulfShores.
Courtyard by Marriott Gulf Shores Craft Farms Re-Opens With New Design and Bistro Restaurant
The Courtyard by Marriott Gulf Shores Craft Farms – a partner of the nine signature courses in the Gulf Shores Golf Association – completed a multi-million dollar renovation earlier this year. Located three miles from Gulf Shores beaches, the hotel offers convenient access to Pinnacle Shopping Center next door or a short drive to Tanger Outlet Shops.
A new Bistro restaurant provides a casual setting with healthy menu options for breakfast and light evening fare, including snacks, wine and beer. The refreshed hotel lobby welcomes guests with the exclusive GoBoard technology, a 52-inch LCD touch screen packed with local information, maps, weather, and news, business and sports headlines. The rooms have also been renovated, and now offer free Wi-Fi. A number of rooms feature a balcony to enjoy the outdoor space surrounding the hotel.
For more information on booking your stay-and-play package at the Courtyard by Marriott Gulf Shores, visit 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 features 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:
Gary Trask
Buffalo Communications
978.228.0314
gtrask@buffalocommunications.com
Dan Shepherd
Buffalo Communications
703.403.5317
dshepherd@buffalocommunications.com