Alabama Golf

Sweet Home Alabama is more than

just a song or a movie, although they both certainly evoke the spirit of the beautiful state. It’s also a mantra for the hard-working, friendly folks that travelers encounter along the way. From the bagboys and beverage cart girls on the world-class golf courses to the servers and chefs in the award-winning restaurants, visitors are made to feel right at home, ensuring that time spent in Alabama is as sweet as the tea. Sweet Home Alabama is a golfing destination unlike any other, as home to the original golf trail, modern and historic golf resorts, and over 32 miles of sugar-white beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. Both the incomparable Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and the Arnold Palmer-designed Craft Farms Resort in Gulf Shores put Alabama on the radar of traveling golf groups more than 27 years ago. The ensuing years have upgraded the state’s position on all types of vacation bucket lists by spawning award-winning hotels, spas, and luxurious resorts; exciting craft breweries with medalquality beers; world-renowned bass fishing events and red snapper rodeos; and a thriving culinary scene, ranging from fresh Gulf seafood and a unique BBQ Trail to James Beard-recognized chefs and restaurants. Just a few of the golf resorts that make Alabama so special are Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa in Birmingham, boasting an RTJ Golf Trail golf course, luxurious spa and delectable dining; Pursell Farms just 45 minutes south of Birmingham, which is a unique golf resort with lodging options rang-

Kiva Dunes Golf & Beach Resort, Gulf Shores

ing from a boutique inn, 4 bedroom golf cottages and an 8 bedroom lodge, along with the award-winning FarmLinks golf course; Marriott Grand National Resort & Spa in Auburn-Opelika is the closest resort to the Atlanta airport (just 90 miles) and has a fun, feature pool with patio bar and a three-story spa; The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa on Mobile Bay near Fairhope offering 36 holes of golf on the RTJ Golf Trail and all of the amenities of a world-class resort; and Kiva Dunes Golf & Beach Resort in Gulf Shores, Alabama’s only gulf-front golf resort offering a Jerry Pate-designed course and clubhouse and fairway condominiums, as well as beach homes to rent. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, with its eight hotels/resorts and 26 courses at 11 sites around the state, and Coastal Alabama Golf, the booking entity for nine premier golf courses and lodging options ranging from golf resorts and hotels to beachfront condos and homes in the Gulf Shores-Orange Beach area, are eager to put together customized golf packages for your foursome or group. Check out GolfAlabama.org for more information on how you can make Sweet Home Alabama your next golf destination or visit RTJGolf.com and CoastalAlabamaGolf.com to book today. Marriott Resort & Spa at Grand National, Auburn/Opelika