Gulf Shores (AL) Welcomes Second Annual SEC BeachFest, Aug. 15-18

Gulf Shores - an official sponsor of the SEC and home to nine signature golf courses - will host the second annual SEC BeachFest, Aug. 15-18, the official kick-off to college football season.

BeachFest will be highlighted by a Golf Scramble, concerts, a FanZone, alumni happy hours, a 5K Road Race and one-mile Fun Run, and fishing challenges.

Legendary SEC coaches and players - including Gene Stallings (Alabama), Vince Dooley (Georgia), Pat Dye (Auburn), Houston Nutt (Ole Miss, Arkansas) and many more - will make appearances throughout the event.

The 36-hole Golf Scramble begins Aug. 15 and will be played on four of Gulf Shores' highly acclaimed courses: Craft Farms, Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club, Gulf Shores Golf Club and Kiva Dunes.

"Last year's BeachFest was a huge success and we anticipate it to be bigger and better this year," said Gulf Shores Golf Association Executive Director Duncan Millar. "It's a great way to start the football season with family, friends and alumni."

Tickets for the BeachFest weekend are $25. Cost for the Golf Scramble is $1,200 per foursome. Visit www.secbeachfest.com for more information.

Gulf Shores Named a Top-10 Beach Town in America for Families

Gulf Shores was recently honored by Parents Magazine as a Top-10 Best Beach Town in America for Families. The magazine's editors narrowed a nationwide list of 100 beach towns down to a final 10 based on affordability, water quality, lifeguards, restrooms and amusement areas.

In addition to its nine family-friendly golf courses, Gulf Shores also features 32 miles of sugar-sand beaches, a variety of dining options and an array of outdoor activities, including the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo and Fort Morgan, where kids can learn about Civil War history.

Below is a sampling of "starting-at" stay-and-play rates, good through Dec. 1, 2013. Prices include taxes and fees and are based on four nights and three rounds of golf at three pre-determined courses. An Unlimited Golf option is available at a nominal fee with any package:

Two-Bedroom Gulf Front Condo
Rate: $89.94 per person, per night for golf and room
Description: Quad occupancy in a two-bedroom gulf-front condo with one king bed, two full beds and a sleeper sofa.

Two-Bedroom Golf Villa
Rate: $66.74 per person, per night for golf and room
Description: Quad occupancy in a two-bedroom golf villa, with one king bed, two twin beds and a sleeper sofa.

For a customized quote for groups of all sizes call 1.888.815.1902 or visit www.golfgulfshores.com.

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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, the Jerry Pate design is the only beachfront resort course in Gulf Shores. Golfweek ranked Kiva Dunes the No. 1 public-access course in Alabama in 2012.

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.