2024
DESTINATIONS
WWW. L ETS G OLF.COM
A GOLF VACATION THAT’S
ABOVE PAR
Located in the heart of the best golf courses on the Alabama Gulf Coast, Turquoise Place and The Beach Club Resort & Spa offer all the amenities and services golfers will appreciate. These include onsite dining, spacious upscale accommodations, an HD Golf Simulator at The Beach Club, and balcony hot tubs at Turquoise Place.
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Call 800-657-1774 to learn more about our Stay & Play golf packages.
WELCOME TO LET’S GOLF® Choose from a variety of exciting destinations. Welcome to the 27th annual edition of our Let’s Golf® publication, in which we provide you information on some great golf destinations across the country. From the exciting casino action in Mississippi to the endless sunshine in Martin County, Florida; from the sugarwhite beaches of Coastal Alabama to inland hotspots in South Carolina; from the many themed golf trails of Louisiana to the original golf trail in Alabama; from the Kentucky State Park’s 13 golf courses to the exciting Golf Capital of Tennessee
in Crossville; and from both the coast and the mountains of North Carolina to summer’s best place to stay and play, Gaylord, Michigan, you’ll be able to find just the right getaway for your golf group. You can always visit LetsGolf.com for direct links to all the great destinations within this guide. Once there, sign up for our e-newsletter filled with golf package offers and destination highlights. And come find us at a North Coast Golf and Travel Show near you this winter at NorthCoastGolfandTravelShows.com.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Golf’s Top Destinations............................................4 Sweet Home Alabama..............................................6 Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, AL ........................8 North Alabama ..........................................................10 Auburn-Opelika, AL....................................................11 Visit Mobile, AL..........................................................12 Gulf Shores, AL ........................................................13 Spectrum Resorts, Coastal Alabama ................14 Kiva Dunes Resort, Gulf Shores, AL ................15 Discover Martin County, FL ..................................16 Kentucky State Parks ............................................18 Louisiana Golf Trails ..............................................20 Visit Lake Charles, LA ............................................21 Gaylord Golf Mecca, MI..........................................22 Visit Mississippi ......................................................24 Brunswick Islands of NC ......................................26 South Carolina’s Inland Golf ..............................28 Crossville/Cumberland County, TN ..................29 Index of Golf’s Top Destinations........................30
COVER: Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Silver Lakes PUBLISHED BY:
Publisher/Editor: Pam Shaheen Art Director: Mary Beth Gabriel Let’s Golf® Destinations is published by Crossroads Marketing, Inc., 404-888-9314, sales@letsgolf.com. Photos courtesy of golf course and/or advertiser. ©2024 All rights reserved.
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@LetsGolfTravel @LetsGolfTravel
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GOLF’S TOP DESTINATIONS Let’s Golf® Travel Information Choosing a golf destination for your annual golf trip is a fun and sometimes challenging task. Different people want different experiences in their dream golf vacation. Some in your group may want to stay at a multi-course, full-service golf resort and never leave the premises. Some may want to play as many different courses as possible and just crash in a convenient hotel to play poker each night. And some may want to explore the local restaurants, craft breweries and other nightlife, while playing great golf all day. After the interesting few year’s we’ve just had, this year’s decision may be harder still. The many destinations in this edition of Let’s Golf® are genuinely ready to host golf travelers. Easy drives on the appropriate interstate from most of the Northeast and Midwest will get you to your choice of one of our vacation hotspots in less than a day. Plus more and more direct flights are coming online each day to serve these locations. The vast majority of the golf courses within the locations in our guide are open year round. The southeastern United States boasts some of the best winter, spring and fall weather for golf anywhere around. And for summer golf vacations, there’s no better location than Northern Michigan. You just need to decide when you want to go, how far you want to travel, what you want to spend per night, 4
what kind of lodging you prefer and what level of golf courses you want to play. If you’re also looking for activities off the course, we can assure you that our featured vacation locales can provide unique options. You can choose to fish in the lakeside, riverfront and coastal locations; visit historic sites and museums indicative of the places you visit; hike or bike on trails to get your heart pumping; try your luck in a resort casino; dance and listen to live music; tour and sample craft beers and the products of local distilleries; or just stroll shops along a waterfront, in a quaint downtown, or at an outlet mall. Unique restaurant offerings in our destinations range from delectable fried chicken, smoked barbecue and pub grub of burgers and onion rings to freshcaught seafood from both oceans and lakes, traditional Southern meat and vegetables, and even award-winning, fine dining to surprise and delight you. The bottom line is that you and your family, business associates or gals and buddy groups deserve some time in the sun, walking the fairways, leaving all your cares behind, and creating a special time of camaraderie that only your annual golf trip can provide. So, take a look through the pages in this guide and don’t just dream about your trip, make your plans to get away soon.
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Rivers Edge Golf Club in the Brunswick Islands of North Carolina
Kiva Dunes Golf & Beach Resort, Gulf Shores, Alabama
Rick Smith’s Signature Course at Treetops Resort, Gaylord, Michigan LETSGOLF.COM
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SWEET HOME ALABAMA Craft Breweries • Coastal Fishing • Award-Winning Cuisine Alabama has become one of the most exciting golf destinations in the southeast. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, which meanders throughout the entire state, has paved the way for the unique vacation concept of traveling from site to site. And Gulf Shores - Orange Beach, offers the traditional stay and play golfing vacation with several world class signature courses from which to choose. Central Alabama offers a multitude of challenging and fun golf courses for your pleasure. Golf Digest named the AuburnOpelika area the Most Golfer-Friendly city in America in its biennial survey of Metro Golf rankings. The two cities are home to several first rate courses, most notably the Trail’s Grand National, with 54 holes of award-winning golf. Its two championship courses, The Links and The Lake, were named 2nd and 4th Best New Public Courses in the Nation, respectively, by Golf Digest when they opened. The lodging options vary from convenient limited service hotels to the luxurious Hotel at Auburn University and the Marriott Resort & Spa at Grand National, the area’s only stay and play resort. It maintains AAA Four Diamond status and was named Marriott’s Hotel of the Year. On the Alabama Gulf Coast, Mobile’s premier golfing facility is the RTJ Golf Trail at Magnolia Grove. With its 54 holes, it’s no wonder Golf Digest has ranked Mobile 6
one of the top Golf Value Destinations. Also in the greater Mobile area, the Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, an RTJ Golf Trail resort division property and a member of the prestigious Marriott Autograph Collection Hotels. The resort features the legendary Lakewood Golf Club’s 36 holes, superb dining and many ways to be pampered. Alabama’s Gulf Coast is home to the state’s only gulf-front golf resort. Located on an extraordinary piece of property directly along the sugar-white shores, Kiva Dunes is a Jerry Pate design with large, fast greens, huge bunkers and a challenging cross wind between Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Lodging options at Kiva Dunes Resort include beachfront houses, fairway villas and golf condos above the clubhouse. The other exciting courses in the Gulf Shores - Orange Beach area include 36 holes of Arnold Palmer signature golf at Craft Farms, Peninsula’s 27 scenic and challenging holes, and the friendly Gulf Shores Golf Club. Visit Sweet Home Alabama to experience the original golf trail, play on mountainous and coastal designs, sample unique breweries and distilleries, dine in local BBQ joints or James Beard-awarded dining options and you’ll be guaranteed a good time in one of the friendliest places on earth.
GOLFALABAMA.ORG
Award-winning dining, a booming craft beer scene, luxurious resorts, and exceptional year-round golf on courses along the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail await you in Alabama. Plus, with Jerry Pate’s Kiva Dunes and Arnold Palmer’s Craft Farms in Gulf Shores, from the Mountain Lakes to the Gulf Coast, you can take it all in. With INTERSTATE travel and DIRECT FLIGHTS into many airports, getting here is easy.
www.GolfAlabama.org
Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National, Auburn-Opelika
ROBERT TRENT JONES GOLF TRAIL 11 Golf Sites and 8 Resorts/Hotels throughout Alabama Alabama's Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is the largest golf course construction project ever attempted. In the late 1980's, two important things were on the mind of Dr. David Bronner, CEO of the Retirement Systems of Alabama. First, how to effectively diversify the assets of the state's pension fund; and secondly, how to help the state of Alabama. Ultimately, his idea was to use golf to boost tourism, attract retirees, and spur economic growth within the state. His vision was on a grand scale — big, really big. Dr. Bronner wasn't looking to build just an 18 hole public golf course, he wanted to build 36 to 54 holes at seven spectacular sites throughout the entire state, and all at the same time! Finally, the most important feat was coaxing legendary architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr., out of retirement. He is arguably the premier golf course architect of all time. And as was his practice, each of the Trail designs was extracted from its locale, following the natural lay of the land, not imposed on it. All seven original sites were opened by 1993. They are Hampton Cove in Huntsville, Silver Lakes between Anniston and Gadsden, Oxmoor Valley in Birmingham, Grand National in Auburn-Opelika, Cambrian Ridge in Greenville, Highland Oaks in Dothan and Magnolia Grove in Mobile. Construction began on three new sites - Capitol Hill, north of Montgomery in Prattville; The Shoals in northwest Alabama near Florence and 8
Muscle Shoals; and Ross Bridge, located a short distance from the orignal Birmingham location. All were completed by 2005. The historic Lakewood Club at The Grand Hotel in Point Clear is the Trail's only acquisition and after extensive renovation to the courses brings the total to 11 Trail locations. One of the most unique aspects of the RTJ Golf Trail is that the tee markers are pegged to ability level, not age or gender. The courses measure as short as 4,700 yards and as long as about 8,200 yards, with many tee boxes in-between. In keeping with its goal of creating a truly unique experience, Alabama’s golf trail also offers eight luxurious hotels around the state, including four golf resorts. These resort hotels with on-site golf are the Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa in Birmingham, Marriott Hotel at Capitol Hill in Prattville, Marriott Golf Resort & Spa at Grand National in Auburn-Opelika and the Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, an Autograph Collection, along Mobile Bay. Downtown Renaissance hotels are located in Florence, Montgomery and Mobile. Six of the properties in this RTJ Hotel and Resort Collection include award-winning Europeanstyle spas as part of their RTJ Spa Trail. Alabama's RTJ Golf Trail offers worldclass resorts and championship layouts that have stood the test of time. A reservations agent can book both golf and lodging for your convenience by calling 1-800-949-4444 or visiting RTJgolf.com.
RTJGOLF.COM
THE ULTIMATE GOLF EXPERIENCE
SPECTACULAR GOLF. REMARKABLE PRICES. THAT'S JUST THE BEGINNING. Experience your choice of 11 different sites throughout the beautiful state of Alabama and save big on what The New York Times calls “some of the best public golf on earth.”
Visit rtjgolf.com or call 800.949.4444 to book your ultimate golf getaway today.
RTJ GOLF TRAIL AT OXMOOR VALLEY // RIDGE COURSE #18
NORTH ALABAMA From Mountains & Lakes to Rockets & Space The rolling hills and pristine lakes of North Alabama provide golfers with stunning backdrops. Destinations such as Cullman, Gadsden, Huntsville, Florence and Muscle Shoals all beckon golf travelers with their unique southern hospitality. Hiking, fishing, boating and
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other outdoor activities abound in the region. Plus there are three locations on the RTJ Golf Trail, a unique Craft Beer Trail and a BBQ Trail. Golf travelers will find just the right destination for their interests, budget and playing style in the Alabama mountains by visiting NorthAlabama.org.
NORTHALABAMA.ORG
AUBURN-OPELIKA Alabama’s Sweet Spot Auburn-Opelika is the coolest college town in the South, according to us, and one of the top cities in America to live, according to CNN. Easy to get to and easy to love, it’s a perfect choice for a golf getaway. Grab your clubs and follow the world-renowned Robert Trent Jones
Golf Trail right over to Opelika. You’ll find Grand National, the site Jones himself proclaimed “the single greatest site for a course” he had ever seen. Stay on site at the Marriott Resort, with its luxurious spa and cabana bar by the pool or at your choice of over 30 area properties.
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VISIT MOBILE, ALABAMA Born To Celebrate Funky, feisty, and festive. Historic, hip, and happening. Or colorful, cool and cultured. You can call this coastal town a lot of things when you have a vibrant 300 year history with lots of stories to tell and traditions celebrated on a regular basis. Our golf history is long and varied,
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highlighted by the 54 holes at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail’s Magnolia Grove. Once called the Paris of the South, Mobile has long been the cultural center of the Gulf Coast and you'll find an authentic experience like nowhere else in the southern United States.
MOBILE.ORG
GULF SHORES, ALABAMA Coastal Alabama Golf Book your group at nine championship courses with just one call! Coastal Alabama Golf gives group coordinators the easiest way to book multiple rounds on multiple courses. We can handle groups of all sizes and can also take care of booking your lodging. Gulf Shores provides golfers great
options to play every day. Craft Farms features Alabama's only Arnold Palmer designs, Cotton Creek and Cypress Bend. Peninsula provides another 27 holes of golf with three distinct nines designed by Earl Stone. Don’t let booking your group play be a hassle. We make it easy, so give us a call!
COASTALALABAMAGOLF.COM
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SPECTRUM RESORTS IN COASTAL AL Swing into Relaxation You’ve reached the ultimate golf destination – The Beach Club Resort & Spa in Gulf Shores and Turquoise Place in Orange Beach. Located on Alabama’s picturesque white-sand beaches, you’re invited to rest, relax, and recharge from the moment you drive through the palm-treelined entrances. With everything you need onsite at these two full-service resorts, it’s a breeze to sink into the sand and let your day-to-day stress take a mulligan. The resorts offer all the amenities and services golfers will appreciate. The Beach Club Resort & Spa in Gulf Shores, Alabama Located on the secluded Fort Morgan peninsula, The Beach Club is just minutes from two world-class golf courses, Kiva Dunes and Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club. Enjoy five football fields of spacious beaches in our village-style southern resort. Everything you need is onsite, including multiple restaurants, boutique shopping, a full-service spa, a tennis pro, and pools. While you’re on the greens, the family can enjoy complimentary organized activities like crafts, poolside games, and scavenger hunts. Want to practice your chip shot? Stop in The Village Hideaway sports bar and grill for a session in the HD Golf Simulator. (With the simulator, billiards, and great food and drinks, The Village Hideaway is also a fun place to spend the evening or a rainy day.) 14
Turquoise Place in Orange Beach, Alabama You’ll find Turquoise Place in the heart of Orange Beach, just a short drive from Lost Key Golf Club and other Gulf Shores golf courses like Craft Farms. After a day on the golf course, relax in your private balcony hot tub and prepare dinner on your balcony’s outdoor kitchen. Of course, you’ll want to take in the expansive views, too! You can even order a cold drink from Change of Pace, our onsite bar and grill that’s known for great craft cocktails and unique appetizers and entrees. The lazy river, saunas, and steam rooms are the perfect way to melt your muscles after swinging away at your favorite golf course. You may never want to leave! Fast fore-ward to a vacation that’s truly a vacation when you book direct with Spectrum Resorts. Booking direct lets you swing into exclusive perks unavailable when you book through other rental management companies. Booking direct means you’ll enjoy complimentary kid’s activities and 10 percent discounts on dining, shopping, and spa treatments. You’ll also have the benefit of Spectrum Resort’s Clean Bed Guarantee, meaning all bedding, including coverlets, are laundered between every stay. It’s a golf vacation that’s definitely above par. Book online at SpectrumResorts.com or call 800-657-1774.
SPECTRUMRESORTS.COM
KIVA DUNES Beach Resort & Golf Course Kiva Dunes Golf Course is home to Alabama’s highest ranked public golf course – a must play for golfers of all skill levels, and 100% open to the public. Get the most out of your game by taking advantage of our "Stay & Play Packages", fully customizable to fit your ideal beach
and golf getaway. Rentals range from beach homes to large condos overlooking the 18th green. With four pools, two on-site restaurants and over 3,000ft of private beachfront; Kiva Dunes Resort is perfect for your next vacation!
KIVADUNES.COM
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DISCOVER MARTIN COUNTY, FLORIDA Where the Great Outdoors Still Feels Natural Avid golfers have long flocked to Florida to experience some of the best golf courses in America. But savvy travelers who appreciate less crowded, more underthe-radar escapes know the grass is greener in Martin County. This beloved stretch of the Sunshine State is blessed with a natural sand ridge that stands out alongside the Treasure Coast’s typically flat terrain, resulting in amazing golf courses set against picturesque coastal landscapes. Martin County is home to more than 35 world-class courses including 15 private courses, boasting an impressive collection of options created by notable designers like Jack Nicklaus, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Arnold Palmer, Pete Dye, and both Tom and Jim Fazio. Many of the courses in the area are traditional Florida-style layouts with long, wide fairways surrounded by stately ancient oaks, pines and palmettos, yet you’ll also discover some exciting, rolling fairways and well-bunkered greens. Stuart's Sailfish Sands Golf Course re-opened in 2021 and now boasts Florida's only reversible 9-hole course, plus a championship 18-hole course, a large driving range powered by Toptracer Range technology, a 10,000-square-foot practice putting green, and a restaurant and bar with 20 covered, climate-controlled hitting bays so you can enjoy playing rain or shine. The reimagined complex is still a stop along 16
the Florida Historic Golf Trail. Golfers can stay and play in Martin County with a nice diversity of quaint inns, romantic retreats, family-oriented hotels and beachside resorts. For the full experience, plan your visit to the Marriott Hutchinson Island Beach Resort, Golf & Marina. Situated on 200 acres overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the resort offers the pristine 18-hole Ocean Club, where players can soak in the views while swinging by the sea. The resort also boast 274 guest rooms with private balconies and stunning views, a 77-slip private marina, 13 tennis courts, three outdoor pools, a full service restaurant and a tiki bar. The legacy of old Florida lives on in Martin County, where the arts and cultural attractions embody the natural beauty of classic Florida, while providing a fun, Key West vibe and nearly 22 miles of beautiful beaches. Encompassing the communities of Port Salerno, Stuart, Palm City, Jensen Beach, Indiantown, Jupiter Island, Hobe Sound, and Hutchinson Island, Martin County provides the perfect setting for golf, as well as world-class fishing, water sports, and eco-adventures. Martin County is easily accessible, located right on I-95, just 45 minutes from Palm Beach Intl. Airport and an hour from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Intl. Airport. It’s your perfect Florida golf destination, so visit www.DiscoverMartin.com today.
DISCOVERMARTIN.COM
Swing by the sea. Martin County, Florida is home to over 35 world‐class golf courses – all within 15 minutes of each other. Stuart's Sailfish Sands Golf Course re‐opened in 2021 and now boasts Florida's only reversible 9‐hole course, plus a championship 18‐hole course, a large driving range powered by Toptracer Range technology, a 10,000‐square‐foot practice putting green, and a restaurant and bar with 20 covered, climate‐controlled hitting bays so you can enjoy playing rain or shine. The reimagined complex is still a stop along the Florida Historic Golf Trail. Stay and play at the meticulously maintained and intelligently designed Ocean Club Golf Course at the Marriott Hutchinson Island Beach Resort, Golf & Marina, designed by Charles Ankrom and ranked as one of the best executive courses in the U.S. With courses for every skill level, affordable day rates, and breathtaking views, the grass Is certainly greener on this side of South Florida.
Plan your trip at discovermartin.com
KENTUCKY STATE PARKS Getaway to Golf Kentucky is famed for bluegrass, bourbon, beautiful mountains and thoroughbreds. Spurred by a renewed focus from the State Park system, golf has become a large part of Kentucky’s recreational reputation. Many of the Kentucky State Parks, situated in every region of the state, offer exciting championship play among the pastoral beauty of the countryside. Each course boasts an outstanding golf experience for players of all ages. Four courses, which were the last to open, Grayson Lake, Pine Mountain, Dale Hollow and Yatesville Lake, have all received national awards from Golf Digest as a “Best New Affordable Public Course” when they opened. And that’s the level of quality you can expect from all of the state park courses. The latest improvement to the Kentucky State Park golf courses was at General Burnside Island. The older golf course was totally redesigned and is located on an island surrounded by Lake Cumberland in Somerset. Brian Ault, designer of Dale Hollow and Hidden Cove, both recognized by Golf Digest, designed this spectacular, new layout. At 6,394 yards, the course features rolling Zoysia fairways, Bentgrass tees and larger Bentgrass greens. Kentucky offers 17 state resort parks, more than any other state. This wealth of resort parks has given rise to their 18
reputation as “the nation’s finest” state park system. Kentucky’s resort parks were developed to bring unexpected comfort and recreational opportunity in the midst of unspoiled nature. Six of the resort parks offer 18-hole courses. They are Barren River, Kentucky Dam Village, Lake Barkley, Pennyrile Forest, Dale Hollow Lake and Pine Mountain. The golf resorts are family friendly with courses that are easy enough for junior golfers but well conditioned and challenging enough for adults; great dining experiences; and close proximity to charming cities or towns. If you love to travel to play golf, the Kentucky State Parks Stay and Play flexible golf package allows you to choose your length of stay, type of lodging and golf options. Select on-site lodge rooms with full service restaurants or two and three bedroom cottages with gathering areas for groups. The golf courses offer the perfect mix of championship play and escape to the peaceful surroundings of the Kentucky State Resort Park lodges. With 13 state park golf courses, there is sure to be something for everyone. Plus, other recreational opportunities, such as boating, fishing, and incredible scenic beauty are available. The Kentucky State Parks resorts and golf courses are the perfect spot for a golf vacation. Go online to www.parks.ky.gov/golf for rates, more details and to book your getaway.
PARKS.KY.GOV/GOLF
PICK YOUR PARK. PICK YOUR PATH.
Nestled in some of the state’s most beautiful settings,
Kentucky State Parks’ 13 Golf Courses offer award-winning play, plus a whole lot more. Private cabins or lodges with restaurants supply the stay, while trails, marinas, and the amazing variety of links supply the play. Packages allow for flexible length of stay and golf options. Call your park of choice for pricing and availability. Contact and course information at
parks.ky.gov/golf. parks.ky.gov/golf
#kystateparks
LOUISIANA GOLF TRAILS Culinary • Music • Fishing • Small Towns • Libations • Resorts Louisiana is like no other state in the country, so it’s no surprise our golfing experiences are like no other. Down here, golfing “Louisiana-style” is about more than just playing golf on exciting courses and staying in luxurious golf resorts. It’s also about all the other adventures that makes Louisiana such a special place to visit that will #FeedYourSoul. Take your shot online to see itineraries that combine your passions – including food, music, fishing, charming small towns, breweries, and of course resorts. Visit ExploreLouisianaGolf.com Golf & Culinary Trail Whether it’s a five-star restaurant, local café, or even a gas station; Louisiana is home to incredible cuisine. Go for some gumbo, pick up a po’boy, and bite into a beignet. Plus, Louisiana’s location on the Gulf Coast makes it a prime spot for some of the freshest seafood in the world. Golf & Music Trail Explore the sounds of Louisiana with this trail that will take you through several hobs of great music. From Zydeco and Swamp Pop to Jazz and Blues, this trail will guide you to iconic places for unforgettable experiences. Golf & Fishing Trail Explore Louisiana through our trails, state 20
parks, and waterways. Whether it’s salt water or fresh water, the Sportsman’s Paradise is filled with a number of outdoor recreational opportunities. Golf & Small Towns Is there any greater freedom than exploring fascinating stops while on a fun road trip? There are 19 official scenic byways and trails winding throughout Louisiana, filled with southern charm, preservation, and tradition. Golf & Breweries Trail Looking to unwind after the back nine? Then check out this breweries and libations trail. Bring a score card for this as you sample great spirits, beer, and wine and gather behind-the-scene insights of top flight craftsmanship. Resort & Relax Looking for a one-stop shop with amenities to leave your car parked. Explore Louisiana’s resorts and state parks to kick back, relax, and of course, play rounds of golf. Let these many vacation ideas, plus the endless beauty and unique challenges on Louisiana’s golf courses feed your soul and inspire you to start planning your #OnlyLouisiana golf getaway today at ExploreLouisianaGolf.com
EXPLORELOUISIANAGOLF.COM
VISIT LAKE CHARLES Louisiana’s Playground Embark on an adventure in Lake Charles, where the Cajun/Creole flavors dance with luxurious retreats. Challenge yourself on Louisiana's top courses, like L’Auberge Resort’s Contraband Bayou and Golden Nugget's Country Club. Bask in the resort life with tranquil lazy rivers and
rejuvenating spa treatments. Stroll through vibrant streets for unique dining, shopping, and art. Connect with nature by kayaking or on scenic walks. Light up your night with Lake City Cruisers or unwind at Crying Eagle Brewing's lively beer garden. We’ll see you soon in Louisiana's Playground!
VISITLAKECHARLES.ORG
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GAYLORD, MICHIGAN America’s Summer Golf Mecca For 37 years, the top golf courses in the Gaylord, Michigan area have been marketed together as the Gaylord Golf Mecca and gained an impressive reputation. It’s because the area truly offers the best combination of quantity and quality of golf, right in the heart of northern Michigan’s beautiful land of lakes and trees. With the highest overall elevation in Michigan’s scenic Lower Peninsula, the Gaylord area offers stunning views and challenging play with several courses built into valleys. Terrain ranges from dramatic drops with rolling greens to classic parkland style courses, all suited for the novice or championship player. The Gaylord Golf Mecca is comprised of 16 unique but equally respectable courses: Treetops Resort, offering 5 award winning courses by Tom Fazio, Rick Smith and Robert Trent Jones, Sr., is nationally recognized as a leading golf destination. Otsego Resort, offering two pristine courses, including The Tribute designed by Gary Koch with dramatic views, is also known for its Swiss-style architecture. If you’re looking for a walkable course with excellent dining, The Pines course at Michaywe delivers. Gaylord Golf Club unarguably offers some of the finest greens you will ever find. Garland Lodge and Golf Resort boasts 4 courses with some challenging holes built around the natural wetlands. Lakes of the 22
North Golf Course offers a parkland style layout designed by Jerry Matthews and Bill Newcomb. Just north of Gaylord you will find Indian River Golf Club, a traditional, timeless course that meanders through northern Michigan’s wilderness. Finally, for isolated holes designed by famed architect Rees Jones that allow you to truly get lost in the game, Black Lake Golf Club is just a short drive away. Along with an impressive course lineup, the Mecca also offers unbeatable summer weather. As temperatures rise above 100 degrees in the southwest and southern states, comfortable temperatures prevail in northern Michigan. With breezes finding their way from the Great Lakes only 60 minutes away, average summertime temperatures reach just 80 degrees. In addition to our picture-perfect weather, Gaylord is in the Eastern Time zone where Daylight Savings makes you wait just a little longer for a beautiful sunset over the many greens in the region. Extended play is the name of the game and golfers will find themselves swinging into the twilight hours, finishing up their last round of the day as late as 10:00 p.m. as the sun is finally setting. Visit www.gaylordgolfmecca.com for more information on all our member golf courses and resorts so you can plan an unbelievable trip to America’s Summer Golf Mecca.
GAYLORDGOLFMECCA.COM
VISIT MISSISSIPPI Dining • Entertainment • Gaming • Fishing • Golf • History Mississippi is where the game of golf meets Southern charm and where lush fairways lead to unparalleled post-round entertainment, including casino gaming and legal sports betting. Visiting golfers have their pick of more than 140 courses – designed by prominent names like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Jerry Pate, Tom Fazio, Davis Love III and Bob Cupp. But for the golfer who likes to experience high-energy competition both on and off the course, some of the state’s top golf destinations are located alongside highend, high-excitement casino gaming resorts. One favorite golf course on the Mississippi coast is Fallen Oak, a Tom Fazio design exclusive to the high-end Beau Rivage Resort, an MGM property. The 18-hole, par-72 championship layout offers quite the challenge to the seasoned golfer, making it one of Mississippi’s most soughtafter courses. Another renowned coastal course is Biloxi’s Preserve Golf Club, which is alongside the Palace Casino and Resort. The Jerry Pate designed Preserve boasts 245 acres of playable course surrounded by 1,800 acres of preserved coastal land. Rounding out the coastal courses is the Jack Nicklaus - designed Grand Bear. The signature course for Harrah’s Gulf Coast Casino, Grand Bear is just north of Gulfport. Following a renovation, including new greens, bunkers, tees and the widening of playing corridors, The Refuge near Jackson 24
reopened in 2021 with a new 200-room luxury hotel and conference center near the airport. The course provides a playable layout with three new holes and returning nines, and features stunning views with impeccable course conditions. Ninety miles northeast of the state capital of Jackson, Dancing Rabbit Golf Club is built on the ancestral lands of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Located in the heart of the pines region, the club features two courses with challenging terrain, the Oaks and the Azaleas. Designed by Fazio and Pate, these 36 holes are serenely nestled among ancient pines and hardwoods and situated adjacent to the Pearl River Casino Resort. Less than an hour south of Memphis, Tunica serves as the gateway to the Mississippi Delta. It is home to numerous music and gaming venues, including Hollywood Casino, Gold Strike and Horseshoe Casino. Among the gaming resorts lies Tunica National golf course, a Mark McCumber design. And while there are no gaming resorts nearby these next two courses, we would be remiss to leave out Mossy Oak, the state’s newest golf club, and Old Waverly, one of the South’s most esteemed courses. Old Waverly, designed by Bob Cupp and Jerry Pate, blends Scottish links with Southern landscape. Sister course Mossy Oak is a Gil Hanse design with a minimalist approach that gives way to the natural lay of the land.
VISITMISSISSIPPI.ORG
Mississippi is famous for the blues. But our greens are pretty spectacular, too. If you’re looking for challenging play and beautiful scenery, \RXōOO Ɠ QG ERWK LQ DEXQGDQFH LQ 0LVVLVVLSSL 2XU VWDWH ERDVWV true destination courses designed by Nicklaus, Palmer, Fazio, and other luminaries, with a number of stunning courses located at RXU FDVLQR UHVRUWV /HDUQ PRUH DW VisitMississippi.org/Golf #WanderMS
Mossy Oak Golf Course | West Point, Mississippi
BRUNSWICK ISLANDS North Carolina’s Golf Coast Plan your ultimate golf vacation on North Carolina’s Golf Coast. With over 500 holes of golfing treasure, NC’s Brunswick Islands has options aplenty. Each of the more than 30 championship courses has its own unique features and challenges to satisfy every golfer’s appetite, from beginner to highly skilled enthusiast. You’ll find some of the best golf in the entire Grand Strand/Myrtle Beach area is actually in Brunswick County, NC, with layouts sculpted by legends such as Palmer, Byrd, Maples, Jones, Cate and Couples. When you stroll these wellmanicured fairways, you are literally walking in the steps of the game’s giants. And because of the Brunswick Islands’ secluded, un-crowded location, you’ll always find excellently-maintained courses, the perfect tee time, great golf packages and a game that tests your skills. Brunswick Plantation is one of the most sought-after resorts along the whole Grand Strand. With on-site condominiums and 27 holes of golf, designed by Willard Byrd and Clyde Johnston, it’s considered golf central for the coastal area. Another golf resort of note is Sea Trail, with three 18-hole courses and on-site villas. One of the most highly-rated and talked-about area courses is the Arnold Palmer-designed Rivers Edge Golf Club. Sitting along the bluffs and tidal marshes of the Shallotte River, the unmatched 26
scenery and coastal breezes will definitely be a welcomed distraction to the challenging layout. Oyster Bay is a rare, harmonious blend of the penal, heroic and strategic philosophies of golf course architecture of old, thanks to Dan Maples’ vision. Carolina National is an Audubon-Certified Golf Course designed by Fred Couples. The Pearl exhibits fast rolling greens and finely manicured fairways bordering the coastal marshland and Calabash River. Ocean Ridge Plantation is home to four exciting courses, known as the “Big Cats.” And on top of great golf in a relaxed beach setting, there’s exceptional seafood and waterfront dining with spectacular views. Whether you only have golf on your schedule or looking to add golf to a family vacation, North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands is a destination you don’t want to miss. NC’s Brunswick Islands offers something for every golfer, whether you are seeking a relaxed late-afternoon round with your spouse or a more spirited weekend getaway fueled by some friendly competition. And, best of all, our mild climate on North Carolina’s southern coast lets you immerse yourself in an unforgettable experience any time of year. Visit www.NCBrunswickGolf.com for more information and start planning your trip now.
NCBRUNSWICKGOLF.COM
Leave some holes in your schedule.
They call it NC’s Golf Coast. With more than 30 championship courses and 120 miles of fairways along the coast, you’re going to want some time to play NC’s Brunswick Islands. Request your Brunswick Islands Golf Guide at ncbrunswickgolf.com
SUNSET BEACH • OCEAN ISLE BEACH • HOLDEN BEACH OAK ISLAND • CASWELL BEACH • BALD HEAD ISLAND LELAND • SHALLOTTE • SOUTHPORT • CALABASH
SOUTH CAROLINA Great Value Inland Golf Destinations A golf trip to South Carolina is on just about every golfer’s short list. And for good reason, since there is so much more to do than just golf, especially in the SanteeCooper and Pee Dee regions. Many exciting courses and adventure on Lake Marion await in Santee, which has
been a popular golfing destination for many years. Florence, the gateway to Myrtle Beach near Darlington Motor Speedway, is the heart of the Pee Dee region, offering great golf and an affordable vacation. Both inland destinations are located just off Interstate 95.
STAY&PLAY SANTEE COOPER COUNTRY Berkeley, Calhoun, Clarendon, Orangeburg & Sumter Counties Golf in Santee Cooper Country may well be one of the best kept secrets of the sunbelt. Lovers of the game are well pleased with the variety of courses in the area. Within a 45 minute drive of Santee, golfers can choose among 13 championship courses.
For more information, call us at 1-800-227-8510 or visit us online at www.santeecoopercountry.org or www.santeetourism.com
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Golf the Pee Dee Pee Dee Golf has enticed groups to visit again and again. Located just off I-95 near Myrtle Beach, the Pee Dee region offers world-class golf on a variety of courses! From challenging signature designs to friendly, open layouts, there’s a course for every level of golfer in the region. Come stay and play with us and discover a place like no other!
Located in the log cabin inside the Pee Dee State Farmer’s Market 2513 W. Lucas St. #6, Florence, SC 29501 843-669-0950 www.peedeetourism.com DARLINGTON • DILLON • FLORENCE • LEE • MARION MARLBORO • WILLIAMSBURG COUNTIES
SANTEETOURISM.COM • PEEDEETOURISM.COM
CROSSVILLE/CUMBERLAND COUNTY The Golf Capital of TennesseeTM Crossville easily lays claim to being the “Golf Capital of Tennessee” but as one of Tennessee’s top destinations for travelers, there's much more to offer than golf! Visitors will enjoy many outdoor activities, live entertainment, historical and cultural attractions, fine restaurants,
winery tours, an abundance of shopping, and a moderate year-round climate – not to mention the Southern charm and hospitality, beautiful country scenery and small-town atmosphere. With all Crossville has to offer, the “Golf and Vacation Capital of Tennessee” may be more appropriate.
STONEHENGE GOLF COUR SE AT FAIRFIEL D GLADE
GOLF PACKAGES AVAILABLE.
HOME OF 8 CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSES, INCLUDING FAIRFIELD GLADE AND THE BEAR TRACE.
ACE THE BEAR TR MOUNTAIN D AN RL BE AT CUM
From Tennessee's famous Fairfield Glade community to Jack Nicklaus' Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain State Park and Lake Tansi Resort, there's a course to suit anyone's golfing desires in the “Golf Capital of Tennessee.”
LAKE TANSI
GOLF COUR
SE
Crossville-Cumberland County Convention and Visitors Bureau www.explorecrossville.com
1-877-GOLF-TN1 (1-877-465-3861) EXPLORECROSSVILLE.COM
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INDEX OF GOLF’S TOP DESTINATIONS Let’s Golf® Travel Information DESTINATION
PHONE NUMBER
WEBSITE
Sweet Home Alabama
(334) 242-4169
GolfAlabama.org
Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
(800) 949-4444
RTJGolf.com
North Alabama
(800) 648-5381
NorthAlabama.org
Auburn-Opelika, AL
(334) 501-3281
AOtourism.com
Visit Mobile AL
(251) 208-2000
Mobile.org
Coastal Alabama Golf Reservations
(251) 968-5339
CoastalAlabamaGolf.com
The Beach Club in Gulf Shores, AL
(800) 657-1774
SpectrumResorts.com
Turquoise Place in Orange Beach, AL
(800) 657-1774
SpectrumResorts.com
Kiva Dunes Resort, Gulf Shores, AL
(251) 540-7100
KivaDunes.com
Discover Martin County, FL
(877) 585-0085
DiscoverMartin.com
Kentucky State Parks
(502) 564-2172
Parks.KY.Gov/Golf
Louisiana Golf Trails
(225) 342-8100
ExploreLouisianaGolf.com
Visit Lake Charles, LA
(337) 436-9588
VisitLakeCharles.org
Gaylord Golf Mecca, MI
(800) 345-8621
GaylordGolfMecca.com
Visit Mississippi
(601) 359-3297
VisitMississippi.org
Brunswick Islands of NC
(800) 795-7263
NCBrunswickGolf.com
Santee Cooper County, SC
(800) 227-8510
SanteeCooperCountry.org
Pee Dee Tourism, Florence, SC
(843) 669-0950
PeeDeeTourism.com
Crossville/Cumberland County, TN
(877) 465-3861
ExploreCrossville.com
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IN MY LOUISIANA,
EVERY SHOT IS AN ACE.
ExploreLouisianaGolf.com
WETLANDS GOLF COURSE LAFAYETTE