Yesterday we swung through the first of many rounds to be played in Gulf Shores, Alabama. (Source of Gulf Shores civic pride? It's home to the world's smallest Hooters Restaurant. I am proposing a new city motto: "Gulf Shores. Come See Our Tiny Hooters".)

We headed over to Craft Farms Golf Resort to play the only Arnold Palmer designed courses in the state, Cypress Bend and Cotton Creek. To say Arnold designs a great course is like saying Picasso painted some nice pictures.

Arnold laid out Cypress Bend (top) to wind and bend its way thru numerous lakes, sprawling bunkers, and sawgrass lowlands. Cotton Creek's more traditional layout features rolling hills dotted by southern hardwood trees and just enough water to keep it interesting. The sheer beauty of the courses have to be experienced to be believed.

And Craft Farms may be open to the public, but when I walked into the plush clubhouse, I felt like I was crashing a very exclusive members-only club. To top it off, the entire staff takes pride in providing outstanding service and Southern Hospitality. You'll feel like a member even if you're a yankee blogger hacking his way through their courses.

www.CraftFarms.com
For travel arrangements contact www.golfgulfshores.com