Golf Gulf Shores (AL) News and Notes: Kiva Dunes Honored by Golfweek; Eight Canadian Golfers Score $2,000 Trip; Holiday Trips Available

GULF SHORES, AL, December 16, 2010 (Press-News.org) Kiva Dunes, the only beachfront resort course in Alabama, has been named to Golfweek magazine's "America's Best Resort Courses" national rankings.

The list included hundreds of U.S. courses that were rated on their overall strength of routing, shaping, natural setting, greens, variety and memorable holes, conditioning and maintenance, landscape management and other criteria.

"Gulf Shores continues to garner national golf rankings, reinforcing it as a 'must see' destination," says Duncan Millar, executive director of Golf Gulf Shores. "Kiva Dunes is among the best courses in the country, situated within 45 minutes of eight other stellar layouts that offer a variety of designs and price points. We're thrilled they're all offering terrific deals through the winter, allowing golfers to create their own rankings."

Kiva Dunes is a Jerry Pate-design that offers spectacular beauty as it meanders through the property's native sand dunes, lakes and natural wildlife areas. Secluded on an extraordinary piece of property that lies directly on the Gulf of Mexico, golf enthusiasts have the rare opportunity to play a magnificent seaside links layout.

For more information on Kiva Dunes or on how you can book your value-laden stay-and-play trip to Gulf Shores visit http://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.

Golf Group From Canada Wins $2,000 for Trip to Gulf Shores

Rick Fifield and his friends had some extra spending money in their pocket last week during their golf trip to Gulf Shores, after the Ontario resident was named the winner of the Gulf Shores Golf Association's contest for fall travelers.

Fifield was automatically entered into the contest when he booked a customized golf package to the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area via http://www.golfgulfshores.com. When his name was randomly pulled, his group of eight players was awarded $2,000 to spend on golf, shopping, merchandise or dining during their trip, granting each golfer an extra $250 to use within the destination.

Fifield and his group typically make a few golf trips per year and he recommended Gulf Shores to the group since he had visited once before in 2004.

"I knew it would be a great spot for us because I had been here before and was real comfortable bringing our group to the area," said Fifield, who added that most of the group used their extra spending money on souvenirs, post-round refreshments and dinner at Cobalt, the new restaurant on Orange Beach. "I had heard there had been some improvements made here since the last time I was here. It turned out to be the perfect spot for us."

Golf Gulf Shores is currently offering a Nike "Head to Toe" promotion for golfers who book a two-night spring vacation at http://www.golfgulfshores.com by February 28, 2011. Entrants are eligible to win a $3,800 in Nike clubs and apparel - complete with a personalized Tour bag.

Those booking a stay-and-play package for arrival between March 1, 2011 and May 8, 2011 are automatically entered to win.

The winner will be selected by random drawing on March 4, 2011 from all qualifying golf packages, which must include a two-night stay. The prize will be awarded upon arrival in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach for the booked golf vacation.

For more information, prize details or to book your package and be entered to win visit http://www.golfgulfshores.com today. Also, travelers can sign up for a free subscription to the Golf Gulf Shores monthly e-newsletter at http://www.golfgulfshores.com, as well as view sample stay-and-play packages and build their own custom vacations.

Combine Your Family's Passion for Golf and the Holidays with a Visit to Gulf Shores

Mild, 60-degree winter days in Gulf Shores make for a great holiday escape from any winter wonderland.

On Saturday, December 18, Santa Claus will be parachuting into the world-famous Flora-Bama Lounge and Oyster Bar on the Florida-Alabama line with a bag of toys around his shoulders. St. Nick is scheduled to land at 1 p.m. but the festivities begin at 12 p.m. with a tree trimming party, free food, hot drinks and a Christmas music sing-a-long. Bring a nonperishable food item for the local food bank and receive a free beverage or a $5 gift certificate.

Also, through Christmas Eve, the Wales West Railway is hosting daily and nightly rides on The Artic Express, a real train that rides through the area's most spectacular light show on its way to visit Santa. Hot cocoa, cookies and candy canes will be offered and each child will receive a handmade wooden toy.

Visit http://www.golfgulfshores.com today to build your customized stay-and-play family package for the holiday season. Below is a small sample of package prices that can be booked through December. These rates include all taxes and fees and are based on a group of four golfers staying four nights and playing three rounds of golf at three different pre-determined courses:

2 Bedroom Gulf Front Condominium
Available through 2/27/2011
Rate: $88.50 per person per night ($354.85) for golf and room
Description: Starting at rate based on 4 people staying in a two bedroom condominium plus loft with one king bed, two twin beds and a sleeper sofa.

3 Bedroom Condominium with Golf Course View
Available through 2/27/2011
Rate: $101.51 per person per night ($406) for golf and room
Description: Starting at rate based on 4 people staying in a two bedroom condominium with either one king or queen bed or two twin beds and a sleeper sofa.


For free rates on your customized package visit http://www.golfgulfshores.com or call 1.888.815.1902.

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 http://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.

The Golf Club of the Wharf - Formerly known as the Gulf Shores Golf Club, this was the Gulf Shores' first course. Opened it 1960, it was redesigned by Jay and Carter Morrish in 2005.

CONTACTS:
Janeen Driscoll, Buffalo Communications
910-690-9711, mailto:%20jdriscoll@buffalocommunications.com

Gary Trask, Buffalo Communications
978-228.0314, gtrask@buffalocommunications.com

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