RVgolfer: Your Lifestyle Magazine

Head South this Winter, to Alabama's Balmy Gulf Coast

By Jonathan Siskin

With plenty of warm, sunny days enhanced by balmy breezes blowing off Alabama's Gulf coast, Mobile beckons golfers from across the U.S. and Canada to visit this hospitable southern city where the welcome is as warm as the temperature. Mobile is especially appealing at this time of year as the sun shines almost every day - average daytime temperatures are in the low 60s - allowing golfers to spend plenty of time on the links, and also participate in various outdoor recreational pursuits.

According to Don Faggard, president of Fairways Golf Co. in Mobile, "The winter golf season in Mobile runs from mid-November through the end of February. It's usually easier to reserve tee times in the winter for choice courses such as the Robert Trent Jones Trail course at Magnolia Grove. Once the spring season begins in March, it becomes more difficult to reserve tee times."

Besides favorable weather, another key factor in Mobile's favor is price. Its reasonable rates make it an ideal winter destination for golfers at all income levels from upscale to "budget challenged." Money Magazine cited Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail as one of the eight best places to spend a winter vacation. The Mobile area has become an excellent destination for those seeking a championship-quality vacation. As an added bonus, there is a good selection of RV parks adjacent to the links.

Dawn on the Delta
At the top of the list of favorite local pastimes are fishing and sailing on Mobile Bay along with canoeing, kayaking, bird-watching and hiking. The swamps that make up the Mobile-Tensaw Delta are alive with more than 250 species of birds and 230 species of fish and wildlife. Many visitors explore this area on airboat excursions which provide a close-up view of many wild "swamp creatures" including alligators, black bear, bald eagles and osprey.

It's also worth spending the day on Dauphin Island, one of the loveliest of the Gulf Coast's barrier islands that is just a short drive from downtown Mobile. Here you can relax and enjoy the sun on miles of powdery beaches, and also explore the lush woods that are home to the Audubon Bird Sanctuary with more than 160 miles of hiking trails. Anglers also flock to Dauphin Island year round as it is one of the most popular fishing destinations in the U.S. and plays host to 10 annual fishing rodeos. There are many boat charters here along with a 900-foot fishing pier where rods can be rented. Dauphin Island is also the location of historic Fort Gaines, site of the Civil War Battle of Mobile Bay.

Magnolia Grove Tops the Charts
For any golfer visiting Mobile priority number one is getting out on the links, and number one on the hit parade of places to play in Mobile is Magnolia Grove, a 54 hole beauty that is part of the famous Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail (see sidebar). Since opening in 1992, Magnolia Grove has built a reputation as one of the finest public courses in the country. Like other Robert Trent Jones courses, it does not impose itself on the landscape but is designed to take advantage of the natural topography. The main track at Magnolia Grove is the Falls Course, and both the Falls and Crossings feature huge sand bunkers and large undulating greens.

The Falls is characterized by rolling hills, cloverleaf bunkers and elevated tees and greens. Correspondingly, the Crossings extends over hillier terrain and has several pulpit greens elevated above fairway levels. In addition to the 36 holes on Falls Course and Crossings Course, Magnolia Grove has an additional 18-hole, par-3 short course.

Over the past five years Magnolia Grove has played host to several prestigious events beginning with the Nike Tour Championship in 1998 followed by the LPGA Tournament of Champions in 1999, 2000 and 2001.

While Magnolia Grove gets most of the hype, there are many other attractive public courses scattered throughout Mobile and vicinity. Among the best of the rest is the Azalea City Golf Course, which is host to the Mobile Open and rates among the highest in value - green fees $15 year round - on the Gulf Coast. Azalea is in superb condition following a recently completed renovation of its tree-lined fairways and well-manicured greens; several holes offer panoramic views of the lake. Among the famous names who have played here are Arnold Palmer, Billy Casper, Gay Brewer and "Champagne" Tony Lema.

Speaking of Arnold Palmer, the Palmer-designed Cotton Creek at Craft Farms is a jewel of a course extending over a challenging layout of rolling hills and large greens. Two Earl Stone-designed courses, Timber Creek Golf Club and Rock Creek Golf Club, are also highly regarded for their scenic layouts, great service and standout amenities. Meanwhile, the Gulf Pines Golf Course overlooking Mobile Bay is one of the best golf values in Mobile. Another affordable 18 holes awaits at Spring Hill Golf Course in the heart of Mobile at Exit 4 on I-65. Besides quality and convenience, this course offers a lighted driving range for night play.

According to Faggard, Mobile golf courses vary widely in green fees, ranging from $30 to $100.