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Golfing at its Best: Master Coastal Courses and Learn from the Pros

Program Number: 15535RJ
Start and End Dates:
3/3/2013 - 3/8/2013; 10/27/2013 - 11/1/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Orange Beach, Alabama
Price starting at: $875.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Golf
Meals: 15; 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Enjoy a complete golf experience on Alabama’s beautiful coastal courses designed by some of the sport’s finest. Improve your game with four days of group instruction as Class A PGA professionals cover putting, chipping, rules, etiquette, equipment, club fitting and strategy.




Highlights

• Get a video swing analysis to help improve your game.
• Test your skills at four different golf courses including Bayside Peninsula, designed by Earl Stone, and Cypress Bend and Cotton Creek, both designed by Arnold Palmer.
• Play your choice of nine or 18 holes daily.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles per day; variable terrain. Golf lessons ratio one instructor per 12 students. Golf carts included in cost. Great local activities available for non-golfers.



Coordinated by University of South Alabama.




Orange Beach

Brilliant white-sand beaches greet beautiful emerald waters at this beachfront resort on the north shore of the Gulf of Mexico, 26 miles west of Pensacola. Golf courses, hiking trails, fresh water fishing and bike paths are just a few minutes away.
Accommodations
Beachfront hotel, pool, fitness center, boardwalk to white-sand beaches.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Carolyn Hall
Carolyn Hall earned her bachelor’s in psychology and master’s in special education at the University of Alabama. Having studied many yoga styles with well-known instructors around the country, Carolyn has taught yoga in South Alabama for many years and for the University of South Alabama Road Scholar program since 1990. She is owner and director of The Yoga Center in Gulf Shores, Ala.
 
J.D. Crowe
J.D. Crowe is a newspaper cartoonist who draws five cartoons a week on local, state and national issues for the Press-Register in Mobile, Alabama. Earlier in his career, J.D. was a freelance artist and writer in Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Diego. Currently working on his fifth editorial cartoon collection book, J.D. lives in Fairhope, Ala., with his wife, daughter and a menagerie of animals.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Holiday Inn Express
  Orange Beach 5 nights
 Holiday Inn Express
Type: Hotel
  Description: Holiday Inn Express welcomes you to its beautiful beachfront resort where emerald waters greet the sandy beaches. This wonderful private beach complex, offers side views of the Gulf of Mexico, plus opportunites to enjoy beachcombing, watching dolphins, pelicans,shore birds, spectacular sunrises and sunsets, or just relaxing.
  Contact info: 24700 Perdido Beach Blvd
Orange Beach, AL 36561 USA
phone: 251-974-1634
web: www.hiexpress.com/orngbchal
  Room amenities: All lodging rooms are climate-controlled with private bath, cable TV, microwave, refrigerator, internet access, free local calls. Safety Deposit Boxes located at the front desk.
  Facility amenities: All rooms have private bath, microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, cable TV and free local calls. Daily maid service provided. There are guest laundry facilities, outdoor pool, and an on-site business center. Parking is free.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Prices vary. Ask for best rate.
  Check in time: 4:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Prices vary. Ask for best rate.
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Registration begins at 4:00 PM. You will be staying at Holiday Inn Express that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends by 10:30 with Box lunch. You will be staying at Holiday Inn Express the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Road Scholar health Form required for all programs.
  Parking availability:
Parking is Free in Hotel private parking lot for the duration of the program.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Orange Beach
  Nearest city or town:  Orange Beach, Alabama
  Nearest highway: Highway 182
  Nearest airport:  Pensacola Regional Airport
  From End of Program
  Location: Orange Beach
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Pensacola to Beach

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Yellow Cab/Mobile Bay Transportation
phone: 251-475-7711
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

One Way $125 for 1 to 4 people or $32.50 a person for 5 or more
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1 Hour 15 Min's 
 

Distance:

 

36 miles
   

You must register at least 24 hours in advance. The sooner you register, the easier it is for them to match you with someone else and lower your cost. When you call you will get Yellow Cab, you must ask for Mobile Bay Transportation. They will transfer you to Mobile Bay Transportation. You can register on line by emailing dispatch@mobilebaytransportation.com or you can call 251-476-7711. Confirm your reservation before your flight lands to ensure pick up.
 
Driving Directions
  From Interstate 10, east or west Take exit 44 south at the Loxley Alabama exit. Go south on State Highway 59, Gulf Shores Parkway, about 35 miles into Gulf Shores. Hiqhway 59 ends at Highway 182. Turn left on Highway 182, East Beach Boulevard. East Beach Boulevard becomes Perdido Beach Boulevard. Holiday Inn Express is located about 5.2 mile on the right, next to Souvenir City.
  From Interstate 65 (Montgomery, AL) Take exit 37 south, the Bay Minette/Gulf Shores Parkway exit. Take State Highway 287 south to State Highway 59 south, Gulf Shores Parkway. It is about 60 miles to Gulf Shores. Hiqhway 59 ends at Highway 182. Turn left on Highway 182, East Beach Boulevard. East Beach Boulevard becomes Perdido Beach Boulevard. Holiday Inn Express is located about 5.2 mile on the right, next to Souvenir City.
Equipment Requirements: Golf clubs can be rented. Please notify USA Road Scholar in advance to set up club rental from one of the golf courses.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Welcome and Orientation/Dinner in the hotel/Getting to Know You
(Sunday, March 3)
   
 Afternoon: Welcome by the University of South Alabama staff. Orientation for the hotel, schedule of activities, including information about golf courses and meals are handled at this time. Questions are welcomed. (*Please note: schedule times are subject to change based on instructor availability and weather.)
 Dinner: Dinner will be served buffet style in the hotel dining room.
 Evening: After dinner we will have time for each participant to tell a little information about themselves and make connections with others. The golf Pro will evaluate each golfer's ability at this time and use this when assigning golf teams for the week. Program will adjourn by 8:30 PM
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Breakfast and Dinner in the hotel/Group Golf Lesson/Lunch at the golf course./Play 9 or 18 holes of golf at Cypress Bend Golf Course
(Monday, March 4)
   
 Breakfast: Continental Breakfast served in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Small group golf lessons are provided by the PGA professionals at the Cypress Bend Golf Course. Weather Permitting
 Lunch: Lunch at the Cypress Bend Golf Course.
 Afternoon: Play nine or eighteen holes of golf at the Cypress Bend Golf Course. This spectacular 18-hole layout designed by Arnold Palmer is fairly wide open and a delight to play as it winds its way through rolling hills and numerous lakes. During the construction of Cypress Bend, attention was given to even the smallest detail -from staggered tee boxes at every hole to a challenging layout that includes a host of sprawling bunkers and glistening lakes. Golf cart provided, weather permitting.
 Dinner: Dinner is served buffet style in the hotel dining room.
 Evening: Program designed to entertain will be offered this evening.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Breakfast in the hotel/Group golf lesson/lunch at the golf course./Play 9 or 18 holes of golf/Dinner at the hotel at the Cotton Creek Golf Course
(Tuesday, March 5)
   
 Breakfast: Continental Breakfast served in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Small group golf lessons are provided by the PGA professionals at the Cotton Creek Golf Course. Weather Permitting
 Lunch: Lunch is served at the golf course.
 Afternoon: Play nine or eighteen holes of golf at the Cotton Creek Golf Course. Designed by Arnold Palmer this course features rolling hills, glistening lakes, and well-positioned bunkers. Cotton Creek's layout is challenging but fair, giving golfers of all skill levels a chance to card a good score while experiencing the beauty of Craft Farms. The course plays a little over 6,000 yards from the whites, 6,600 from the blues and for the long hitters, Cotton Creek's gold tees present a layout over 7,000 yards. Golf cart provided, weather permitting
 Dinner: Buffet dinner is served in the hotel dining room.
 Evening: Program designed to entertain offered this evening.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Breakfast in the hotel/Video golf lesson./Box lunch/Play 9 or 18 holes of golf at the Lost Key Golf Club /Dinner in the hotel
(Wednesday, March 6)
   
 Breakfast: Continental Breakfast is served in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Class will be at the hotel with the golf Professional videoing your swing and viewing your swing for information on how to improve.
 Lunch: Box lunch served at the golf course.
 Afternoon: Play nine or eighteen holes of golf at the Lost Key Golf Club. Redesigned by the Arnold Palmer Design Group in 2006, the par 71 signature designed championship course features the new Sea Dwarf Paspalum grass from the tee through the green for the optimum in quality playing surfaces and green speeds. Each golf hole includes five sets of tees, and offers players of all skill levels a unique visual and strategic playing experience. Framed by the natural beauty of Perdido Key, Lost Key is ideally located between historic downtown Pensacola and the pristine sugar sand beaches of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. Golf cart provided, weather permitting
 Dinner: Buffet style dinner will be served in the hotel dining room.
 Evening: Free evening - Time to socialize with each other or take a walk on the beautiful white sandy beach.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Breakfast in the hotel/Free Time/Box lunch at golf course./Tournament at the Peninsula Golf Course/Dinner in the hotel/Tournament results
(Thursday, March 7)
   
 Breakfast: Continental Breakfast will be served in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Free Time to relax or go to the golf course early and practice on the driving range.
 Lunch: Box lunch available at the Peninsula Golf Course.
 Afternoon: Tee off at the Peninsula Golf Course for the Road Scholar Tournament. Peninsula continues to be a favorite course for our Road Scholar participants. You are ready for your best score of the week today! Golf cart provided, weather permitting.
 Dinner: Enjoy dining at Peninsula Golf Course dining room following your round of golf.
 Evening: Enjoy the evening of tournament results and prizes.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Breakfast served at the hotel/lessons at the Cypress Bend Golf Course/lunch at the golf course.
(Friday, March 8)
   
 Breakfast: Continental breakfast is served in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: This is your last chance with the golf professional, get that last minute question answered.
 Lunch: Box lunch will be served at the golf course.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Orange Beach Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
Visit "The Little Zoo That Could" featured on Animal Planet. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is home to more than 250 animals. Elevated viewing decks offer close-up viewing of everything. Reptile House, Aviary, petting zoo. For additional information, visit www.alabamagulfcoastzoo.com
  Bike Trails
Biking trails available throughout the Gulf State Park. Additional trails available in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
  Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Hike through unspoiled forest to view wildlife. Beach access available.
  Fort Morgan
Fort built in the 1500's by the Spanish. Known mostly for its strategic location during the Civil War's Battle of Mobile Bay. Visit the fort museum and learn from the guides and reenactors about the Confederate soldiers of 1864.
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Coasting: An Expanded Guide to the Northern Gulf Coast


Author: Jolane Edwards (Author), Carolyn Lee Goodloe (Author), Laurel Wilson (Author), Judy Barnes (Editor)




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