Gulf Shores Golf

Gulf Shores Golf

By ED TRAVIS

 

When it comes to golf in the state of Alabama there are many fine courses from which to choose but on the peninsula running across Mobile Bay south of Mobile golfer's will find three good reasons to visit.

 

Kiva Dunes Golf Club in Gulf Shores and the nearby Peninsula Golf Club are worth a special trip to play and the Beach Club, located in between is the place to stay.

 

The peninsula splits the Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay and at Kiva Dune designer Jerry Pate used this location which has to deal with ever present wind, to build a really fun and challenging layout. Large fairways gradually narrow as you approach the green complexes whose putting surfaces only can be described as immense.

 

A good example is Kiva Dunes' par-4 finishing hole. Tee shots have plenty of room between the trees on the left and bunker on the right (with water further right to get a really sprayed tee ball). A couple of trees to the left of the green makes you want to favor the right with your second shot but caution is needed since the bunker your tee shot contended with runs all the way to the green. So like the other holes here, a good test of your skill and fun regardless of the outcome.

 

Kiva Dunes is a very nice course and at 7,092-yards from the back tees it's more course than most can handle. However, since there are three other tee sets, there are yardages to match anyone's game down to a very friendly 5, 006-yards.

 

At the Peninsula Golf Club adjacent to the Bon Secour Wildlife Preserve, designer Earl Stone built three nine-hole layouts and head pro Mike Weiler says visitors comments are very favorable. "They like a lot of things. Each nine has its own character but I know almost everybody talks about our course conditioning and the greens especially."

 

There are ample scoring opportunities offered by the greens and greens complexes as on the Lakes course par-4 ninth where being on the left side off the tee while avoiding a fairway bunker is a must to have the best line for your second shot. Then you'll have a middle iron to the large three-tiered green framed by bunkers but a miss left feeds into a chipping area while a miss to the right may be bunkered. So, as is often the case, hitting to the middle of the green will mean a reasonable putt for a birdie.

 

Between Kiva Dunes and Peninsula is the Beach Club resort. A special place for sure and one people return to year after year for the convenience of the location and quality of the accommodations not to mention the first class service. There are plenty of activities for everyone but our focus was on the beach and the dining.

 

Staying in one of the gulf front condominiums puts the beautiful sand of the Gulf beach close by and whether you're in to long walks next to the water or sand castle construction this is the place to indulge yourself.

 

Food at the Beach Club is memorable and the responsibility of Brody Olive the Executive Chef at the resort. His talents are certainly on display at the Coast Restaurant with its lovely view of the Gulf. Guests rave over Chef Brody's Grilled Snapper caught right in the Gulf as is the grouper which he also grills with a red pepper Aioli sauce you have to try to believe.

 

Dinnertime is also sunset time so the experience of enjoying one of Chef Brody's entrée creations and watching the sun's end-of-the-day spectacular is something you will never forget.

 

The combination of golf at Peninsula Golf Club and Kiva Dunes Golf Dunes with a stay at The Beach Club is a trip sure to build lasting memories.

 

 

ED TRAVIS | Golf News & Opinion