No Need for Improvement

Golf always makes my beach vacation better. Not that a vacation along the Gulf Coast needs much (or any) improvement—golf is more of an enhancement. I love the game, I love trying out new courses and re-visiting old favorites. And it’s a great way to spend quality time with certain family members (or escape family altogether for a little “me” time).

Brett/Robinson golf vacation packages make interspersing golf throughout my vacation that much easier. The packages are personalized and include green fees and cart fees for multiple rounds of golf, as well as accommodation expenses. Everything is already planned by the time I arrive at my vacation spot, so all I have to do is check in, relax, and play golf.

More information about Brett/Robinson golf vacation packages and area golf courses can be found here.

Consistently Good Golf

“The hallmark of a good golfer is consistency” – Author Unknown

Truer words have never been spoken. The same can be said for a golf course. The hallmark of a good golf facility is consistently good golf, service and amenities. Craft Farms is a good golf course.

Actually, it’s two good courses. Cotton Creek features tight, rolling fairways, frequently bracketed by lakes. The distance goes from a player friendly 6000 yards to a very challenging 7200+ yards from the tips. Cypress Bend offers wide fairways, large landing areas and large undulating greens. However, water comes into play on most of the holes, as well as featuring some greens well protected by bunkers. The courses are Alabama’s only Arnold Palmer creations and have five sets of tees to accommodate all skill levels. Like all Palmer courses they feature numerous risk/reward opportunities.

The friendly, knowledgeable staff in the Pro Shop are always ready to serve. The Cotton Creek Clubhouse is more of an upscale restaurant and sports bar than the average golf course sandwich shop. The driving range and the two putting greens are consistently in excellent shape.

Make a golf trip to the coast and include a couple of rounds at Craft Farms in the mix. Good times, great golf and service are a sure thing at Craft Farms.

Golf & Gladiolas

It started with a field of gladiolas. That’s right, gladiolas. R.C. Craft, owner & founder of Craft Farms, had 870 acres of gladiolas and a dream of building a world class golf facility with home sites. Who to call? None other than the King himself, Arnold Palmer. As they say, the rest is history.

Today Craft Farms is home to two of the finest golf courses on the coast, Cypress Bend and Cotton Creek. Cypress Bend is links style course that features wide open spaces for the occasional errant shot. However, with water in play frequently, and numerous bunkers, it can also be challenging for a mid to high handicapper (like yours truly). The greens are generally spacious and gently sloped. The par four #2 generally is the toughest for me, a good drive and second shot are required to reach the green.

Cotton Creek is generally considered the more challenging of the two courses. It has fairways that are a little more confining and requires better shot making to score well. My favorite hole is #6, which requires two shots over water to reach the green.

The clubhouse houses the Cotton Creek Grill, a well appointed restaurant and locker room facility by anyone’s measure. They serve a full menu, but the Cotton Creek Club sandwich is my favorite. The clubhouse overlooks a lake and the 18th green of Cotton Creek. They also have several big screen TV’s, perfect for viewing the college football games during your after round meal. The food and the atmosphere are strictly top shelf.

If you’re planning on visiting the coast in the fall (and you should , the weather and the golf around here is unbelievable) make sure you pack your golf clubs and hit one of our excellent local courses.

Visiting An Old Friend

On rare occasions, you get to visit an old friend. You haven’t seen this friend in a while, but as soon as you’re together the time that has passed seems to fade away.

I renewed a friendship last week with the Golf Club of Gulf Shores. The Golf Club of Gulf Shores is the oldest course in the area, having been established in the 1968. The course underwent a complete renovation from tee boxes to greens. The course was lengthened by 300 yards. The par 71 course plays just less than 6000 yards from the white tees. From the “tips”, the course stretches to a robust 6800 yards. The multiple tees allow for an enjoyable experience for all levels of skill. This course has a little bit of everything, doglegs left and right; a few forced carries over water, numerous bunkers also come into play. The greens roll true and fast.

A new clubhouse, restaurant and pro shop are also on site. Try the burgers or the BLT in the restaurant; you’ll be glad you did.

As always, it’s good to see an old friend. Especially a friend that is new and improved. I wish I could say the same for my golf game!

Perdido Bay Golf

The Beachin' Foursome headed just across the state line Saturday for a round at the Perdido Bay Golf Course. For starters, it's only a 10 - 15 minute drive from Phoenix 10. They have a complete practice facility featuring a large driving range, putting green, chipping green, greenside bunker, and a fairway bunker. The course is well maintained and the greens roll true. A full set of tees will offer a challenge to golfers of all skill levels. It's a well bunkered course and water comes into play frequently, but with forced carries at a minimum. The rates are very reasonable all day and you can play a full 18 holes after 3:00 PM for only $29.
The Legends Bar & Grill is perfect for an after round meal and beverages, as well as a complete menu for fine dining in the evening. The French Dip sandwich is one the best anywhere.

We'll definitely be returning for another round with our new friends at the Perdido Bay Golf course.

Golf on a Budget

Sometimes you need to save a little money on the round for that new driver, right guys?
I've got a spot for you the next time you're in town. The Alabama Gulf State Park has a nice little 18 hole course, nestled in the center of the state park, with very reasonable rates. You can play 18 holes, with cart for $40. They have a small pro shop and snack bar as well. The course gets a lot of play, but it's in pretty good shape year round. Water comes into play on several holes, but there's no forced carries. It's a player friendly layout, with multiple tees.
There's plenty to do at the Park, so maybe the wife and kids can take in a nature hike while Dad plays 18?
See you on the links!

The Spring Golf Tour continues...

If I hit it right, it's a slice. If I hit it left, it's a hook. If I hit it straight, it's a miracle. - Author Unknown

The standard foursome was in place: Beachin’ Bob, Beachin’ Brett, "Uncle Terr" and “Money” McVay. A Saturday morning tee time was selected. This week’s venue was Glen Lakes Golf Club. Glen Lakes is one of the most unique courses in the area. The Vista- Dunes course offers a true links style course experience. The course features undulating fairways and greens, extensive mounding and numerous bunkers. Water comes into play on several holes. It’s a challenging course for all skill levels of players and offers a full set of tee options. The signature hole is #16, a difficult par 5 with an island green. A misplaced approach shot (or two, or in my case, 3) frequently results in the dreaded “snowman”. Glen Lakes also sports a third 9 hole course, The Lakes is a traditional American style course. Appropriately named, The Lakes has water hazards on 6 of the 9 holes.

Under duress I must state this week’s clear winner was Money McVay. Which leads me to this quote:
Golf can best be defined as an endless series of tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle.

The Spring Golf Tour Continues ..Timber Creek

The Beachin' Bob foursome continued our Spring Golf Tour this Saturday at Timber Creek Golf Club. It's a short drive to Daphne on the Eastern Shore and Timber Creek, and well worth the trip. This beautifully maintained golf facility was designed by Earl Stone and has 3 distinct 9 hole tracts, Dogwood, Magnolia and Pines. As you would guess, the courses are lined with stately dogwood, magnolia and pine trees. It's a challenging course, that has a number of doglegs and elevation changes, with large greens. The greens roll true and are sculpted to provide challenging putts. They have some of the best practice facilities in this area, including a driving range, a putting green, a chipping green and a practice green with a greenside bunker to practice those pesky sand shots. Add in a full service restaurant and you've got a great day trip for any golf foursome. Take my word for it, this is a must visit for any golfer.
See You On the Sand !!

Spring Golf Tour

Spring has spring on the Gulf Coast and that inevitably leads to the Beachin' Spring Golf Tour. The Tour began at Craft Farms, playing the 2 Arnold Palmer designed courses, Cypress Bend and Cotton Creek. The next stop for me and Beachin' Brett was the links at the Gulf State Park. The Park has a nice course, and you can walk the course (and rent a pull cart) or ride the course in a cart. It's an economical place to play, and very enjoyable. I'll report later as we hack our way around some of the other courses in our area like Soldiers Creek at the Preserve in Elberta, the Golf Club of the Wharf, Glen Lakes Golf Club and several others.
See you at the Beach!!

It’s A Great Spring on the Coast

Spring is here and it’s the best to visit gulf Shores & Orange Beach. The weather is mild and the summer crowds haven’t arrived yet. So for me, it’s a perfect time for golf.

Saturday Brett and I played a round of golf at Rock Creek in Fairhope last Saturday as part of our Golf Package we got through Brett Robinson. We got a great deal on a round of golf and a condo on the beach. It was a short drive from condo to tee, less than an hour.

Sunday we played Cypress Bend at Craft Farms, an Arnold Palmer design. It’s a great layout, very player friendly. For lunch we headed out to Indigo Joe’s, the new sports bar at the Pinnacle. The food was awesome, and the big screens are perfect for keeping up with your favorite sporting events.

All in all, a great weekend.

Of course, we’ll be back soon for the fish flinging fun of the Mullet Toss.



See you at the Beach!!