TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE Magazine September 2024 | Page 20

Golf Getaway
� Continued from page 17

Alabama a “ Sweet Home ” For Golfers

nines were completed in 2013 and 2014 . The Canyon nine redesign and reconstruction were completed in 2016 . The greens have been redesigned to accommodate the higher greens speeds . Additionally , many of the holes have been totally redesigned to open views of Sherling Lake and deliver a challenging test of golf while providing players of all skill levels a variety of ways to play each hole and enjoy the experience .
Aroostook Golf Course ( not a RTJ Trail courses ) at Wind Creek Casino in Montgomery is 100-plus acres of expertly maintained golf links with local wildlife , beautiful woodlands and scenic lakes . The name “ Aroostook ” is derived from the Creek Indian word meaning “ beautiful water ” and accurately describes the property ’ s scenic lakes . The course has a championship layout with a PGA slope rating of 125 , which puts it in the championship class from back tees . The course plays to a par 72 at 6,900 yards , featuring a variety of holes from tight , tree-lined holes with doglegs to more open and forgiving fairways . Its greens have a daily average STIMP rating of 10 and are well bunkered , filled with white-coastal type sand . wanting a quick 18 . It ’ s considered as one of the most challenging on the entire RTJ Golf Trail .
Kiva Dunes is a well-known Alabama golf destination at Kiva Beach Club Resort , a luxury resort with amazing coastal golf . Tee off against the backdrop of the Gulf Coast shores of Alabama . With five teeing areas per hole playing anywhere from 5,000 to 7,100 yards long , golfers experience wetland vegetation and waste bunkers , with plenty of variety – an unforgettable experience .
Craft Farms ( Gulf Region ).
Craft Farms 36 holes of Championship Golf in Gulf Shores designed by Arnold Palmer is considered one of Alabama ’ s best . Its 18-hole Cotton Creek golf course plays 7,127 yards from the tips and 5,160 from the forward tees . Its 18-hole Cypress Bend golf course is 6,848 yards from the tips and 5,027 from the forward tees . Both 18-hole courses are located just minutes away from Fort Morgan with numerous lakes meandering throughout the property and the beautiful white sand beaches of Gulf Shores .
Farm Links ( Central Region ).
The Gulf Region of coastal Alabama ’ s sister towns of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach boasts 171 holes of golf within a 15-mile radius . With 21courses including several RTJ Trail courses , Gulf Region golfers will enjoy scenic coastal golf overlooking the sugar-white sands and clear , blue waters . After golf experience the history and nightlife of Mobile .
Don ’ t think for a minute that the Gulf Region is your typical flat coastal courses . One of Mobile ’ s premier golfing facilities is Magnolia Grove , a 54-hole RTJ Golf Trail facility with three 18-holes courses . Its Crossings Course is very hilly , featuring numerous pulpit bunkers , huge cloverleaf bunkers , and undulating greens that demand extreme caution . Its Falls Course features one of the most talked-about holes on the entire Trail –– the par-5 , 570-yard 10th , featuring a waterfall that cascades just below the contoured green . It isn ’ t as hilly as the Crossings , but it plays a bit longer from the tips . And there ’ s an 18-hole Short Course ( 2,734 yards ), perfect for beginners or one
20 September 2024 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE
Craft Farms ( Gulf Region ).
From its northern Appalachian Mountains to its Gulf Water region in the south , Alabama is an unforgotten golf destination . It ’ s beauty and charm are like no other . Great weather , great food , great people , and great golf . While we can ’ t cover all of Alabama ’ s 258 golf courses here , you can find all the RTJ Golf Trail courses , plus a complete list of all Alabama public golf courses and get your official Golf Alabama guide at https :// golfalabama . org .
� ( All photos courtesy golfalabama . org )