Alabama Gulf State Park Golf Course, Gulf Shores, AL

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by Alton Wallace for www.OrangeBeach.ws The Gulf State Park Golf Course is one of coastal Alabama’s most popular attractions. Surrounded by undeveloped parkland, the 18-hole championship course is family-friendly and provides a natural setting for golfers of all ages and skill levels. “We’re right in the middle of a wildlife refuge,” says PGA pro Harry Dwyer, who manages the golf course. “The surroundings are very natural. We don’t have condominiums, houses or anything else built on the sides of the golf course”.
Gulf State Park Golf Course in Wildlife Refuge Image from Google Maps
Dwyer said a wide variety of trees that include pine, live oak, magnolia, Japanese maple, pecan and hickory are abundant on and around the golf course. And flowering shrubs, such as azaleas, provide beautiful colors during the spring. “We have herds of deer, wild hogs, small bobcats, fox squirrels and some huge alligators here at the state park golf course,” he said. “It’s in the heat of the summer that we really have an influx of alligators. They come out of the ponds and out of the state park and over here to the golf course.” The golf course lost about 900 trees during Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina, Dwyer said, but a replanting program began in 2007. “We’re taking care of that,” he said. “We’ve taken a lot of small steps and now we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s getting better and better with each day.”	Fox Squirrel
Alligator on pond between the 9th & 18th holes
The course, which opened in 1972, was designed by Earl Stone. Stone, who is known for designing courses with the 18-handicapper in mind, went on to plan Rock Creek, Timber Creek and Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club, among many others. The course is relatively flat and you won’t find a lot of double-blind shots and cavernous bunkers. Golfers appreciate Stone’s designs, Dwyer said, because they are intended to make playing a round enjoyable. The fairways are wide, there’s not too much water, and the grass in rough areas isn’t high, he said.
White-tail deer between the 17th tee & the 3rd green
“This is a golf course that is very family-oriented,” Dwyer said. “Mom and Dad and the kids and Grandma can come to play this course, and that’s what we want to keep here. And we want to keep it reasonably priced, too. Our green fees are the lowest in this area by a significant amount. It costs $44 with a cart to play 18 holes, and people can walk after 11:00am -- we think we’ve got a great golfing value here.”
Practice Green at Gulf State Park Golf Course

The senior discount for golfers 62 years old and older reduces the cost of the green fee and cart rental to $39.35. For kids 12 and under, 18 holes cost $12.50. The course
takes reservations seven days in advance, but standing tee times are not available. A driving range, practice bunker and putting green allow golfers to polish their games.
Driving Range at Gulf State Park Golf Course
Gulf State Park Superintendent Hugh Branyon said golfers played more than 45,000 rounds in 2007. Branyon said the course has changed little during the 32 years he has been the park’s superintendent. “In mid-1980’s Hubie Green was hired to make some changes in the course and a few of the holes were changed a little bit,” he said. “Other than that, the course is pretty much the same as it was in 1972, minus the trees we lost in the hurricanes. It’s a pretty course and the golf course superintendent takes very good care of it.”
13th hole
Mark Easterwood, Director of the Alabama Park System, said the golf course at Gulf State Park may be renovated sometime during the next few years. “We have plans to renovate it, and probably the pro shop too,” Easterwood said. Our primary concentration right now is irrigation. We also want to put in whole new greens -- we’d core them out, dig them out, put in a USGA-approved mix, and then put in new sod. Another thing we want to do is put in new tee-to-green cart paths.”
16th Green
The golf course renovation could begin in 2008, Easterwood said, but that will depend on whether or not projects at Alabama’s other state parks adhere to budget. If funds are available, the renovation work may begin later this year. Park officials are also considering expanding the course by 9 holes during the next few years, he said.
1st Tee
*Gulf State Park Golf Course General Information* Public Course ~ 18 Holes ~ Par 72 Year Built: 1972 Designer: Earl Stone Greens Grass: Bermuda ~Fairways Grass: Bermuda Water Hazards: Yes ~ Sand Bunkers: 51-60 200, 150, 100 Yard Markers Course Rating: 72.5 ~ Slope Rating-Red: 116 Distance in Yards: Blue - 6,563 ~ White - 6,171 ~ Red - 5,310 PGA Pro & Course Manager: Harry Dwyer For tee times call: 251-948-4653

Click images below for larger view.
Club House	1st Tee Box	1st Fairway	2nd Tee Box	2nd Fairway
2nd Green	3rd Tee Box	3rd Tee	3rd Fairway	3rd Green
4th Tee Box	4th Fairway	12th Tee Box	13th Tee Box	13th Green
14th Tee Box	14th Green	14th Green Water	18th Tee Water	18th Green
Practice Sand Trap	Practice Green	Deer	Deer	Alligator in Pond
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