Golf Gulf Shores Courses Host SEC Beach Fest; New, Value-Laden Entry Fee Offered

Entry fees for a foursome to the SEC Beach Fest Scramble on Aug. 23-25 are now $1,200 per team, enabling participants the chance to play four Gulf Shores Golf Association's courses, meet iconic SEC football coaches, enjoy parties, gift bags, and more.

The Gulf Shores Golf Association - a partnership of nine fun, complementary and well-ranked courses on Alabama's Gulf Coast - is hosting the tournament. The 36-hole event will be played Friday, Aug. 24 at Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club, Craft Farms, Gulf Shores Golf Club and Kiva Dunes. The top three foursomes from each course will compete in the championship round on Saturday, Aug. 25 at Kiva Dunes, Golfweek's No. 1-rated course in Alabama.

The entry fee for a foursome includes two rounds of golf, buffet breakfast, lunch or cocktails for afternoon flights, a gift bag and the chance to play in the championship round. Also included in the fee are four tickets to the SEC Beach Fest and invitations to the Welcome Party.

"Gulf Shores is one of the leading golf destinations in the country and we're thrilled to have our courses included in this great event, which helps kick off another amazing SEC football season," said Gulf Shores Golf Association Executive Director Duncan Millar.

SEC head football coaches Nick Saban of Alabama, Les Miles of LSU and Gene Chizik of Auburn will be available to sign autographs and other "legend" players and coaches from the SEC will also attend the event.

For more information, updates or to purchase tickets for the SEC Beach Fest visit www.facebook.com/GolfGulfShores or secbeachfest.com.

Gulf Shores Area Earns Best Kid-Friendly Beach Honors, Ranked Among America's Cleanest Beaches

Weather Channel voters named Gulf Shores/Orange Beach the best kid-friendly beach in the U.S., citing its proximity to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, the Pier at Gulf State Park and the tallest Ferris wheel in the Southeast.

Weather Channel highlighted the nation's favorite beaches based on specific activities and winners were chosen by Facebook fans, who shared their favorite beaches to enjoy.

In addition, Gulf Shores Public Beach and Gulf State Park Pavilion were named among the cleanest beaches in the nation by a recent annual assessment from the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The beach was one of 12 in the U.S. to earn a five-star rating for violating health standards less than 5% of the time and for following the best health and safety practices.

Stay-and-play packages with lodging located in the center of the beach action, or directly on a golf course, can be customized at GolfGulfShores.com. Summer packages are still available and start as low as $100 per person, per night, based on multiple night stays, and include accommodations, golf and taxes. The fall season is also an ideal time to visit the area and quotes can be easily facilitated at GolfGulfShores.com.

For more information or to sign up for a free subscription to the Golf Gulf Shores monthly e-newsletter, visit GolfGulfShores.com or call 1.888.815.1902. Unlimited golf options, a new tee-time-booking system and a mobile version of the website are also available.

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 features nine golf courses, countless lodging options and a wealth of outdoor activity on its 32-mile waterfront destination.

Course highlights:

Cotton Creek at Craft Farms - Arnold Palmer Signature Design with generous fairways lined by Southern Hardwoods, undulating greens and a championship test from 7,028 yards, and owned and operated by Honours Golf.

Cypress Bend at Craft Farms - The sister Honours Golf property to Cotton Creek, the Arnold Palmer Signature Design meanders through cord-grass accented lakes which come into play on nearly every hole.

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 and the No. 1-ranked course in Alabama by Golfweek, the Jerry Pate design hosted the 2012 Alabama State Amateur Championship and is the only beachfront resort course in Gulf Shores.

Lost Key - The stunning course, redesigned by the Arnold Palmer Design Group in 2006, rewards accuracy off the tee and with approaches as it winds through woods and wetlands. It also boasts a new state-of-the-art clubhouse.

Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club - Owned and operated by Honours Golf, 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.

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

For more information: www.golfgulfshores.com, 888-815-1902.
www.facebook.com/GolfGulfShores
Twitter: @GolfGulfShores

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Gary Trask
Buffalo Communications
978-228.0314
gtrask@buffalocommunications.com

Dan Shepherd
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3320
dshepherd@buffalocommunications.com