Relax and enjoy the beauty of the Craft Farms Golf Resort with 36 holes of golf designed by the golf icon, Arnold Palmer. These two public golf courses, Cotton Creek and Cypress Bend, are the only courses in Alabama designed by Palmer. Located just minutes away from Fort Morgan and the beautiful white sand beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama, Craft Farms invites you to experience the best public golf courses in the South.
The 18-hole Cotton Creek golf course and 18-hole Cypress Bend golf course challenge golfers at every level while providing a peaceful, serene environment of the natural Baldwin County Alabama landscape. The courses have a distinctively coastal feel, with dwarf Bermuda grasses and numerous lakes that meander throughout the property.
Gulf Shores is no stranger to well-designed golf courses, but how did it become the home of the only Palmer designed courses in the state?
The History of Craft Farms: How Arnold Palmer and R.C. Craft Joined Forces.
Craft Farms began with two men brought together by a special place. R.C. Craft, a former farm boy,who worked his way up from farm toiler to successful businessman,had a vision of transforming a sleepy coastal Alabama town into a world-class golf destination.Arnold Palmer, another son of the earth, who left Latrobe, Pennsylvania, to become one of the world’s most beloved golfers.A serendipitous confluence of flower-growing centers, powerful personalities and time spent harvesting sod that resulted in an enduring center of Southern charm and golfing excellence known as Craft Farms Golf Resort.
R.C Craft was raised on a gladiolus tenant farm in rural Blakely, Georgia. His family eventually moved to Foley, Alabama, for the appealing milder climate that was perfect for gladiolus farming. Beginning his Foley operation in 1964, R.C. watched as more and more American’s flocked to the coastal Alabama beaches. The burgeoning beach life of the Alabama coast sparked an idea in R.C. He decided to purchase corn and soybean fields that would one day become Craft Farms Golf Resort.
While beach life was booming, R.C.’s gladiolus farming was declining. However, his son, Robert Craft, had found success in his own local sod operation. With family experience, combined with youthful energy, the Craft family was soon turning the area green. The father and son combo worked hand-in-hand, with afternoon golf thrown in as often as possible.
With the rise of high-condominiums and beach rental properties along the Alabama coast, thecorn and soybean fields became too valuable to strictly farm. The Craft family decided to build a golf course, but knew that two sod farmers would not be able to acquire the funding on their name alone. But, two sod farmers backed by a world-famous athlete just might be able to walk away with the financing they needed.
Enter Arnold Palmer. The blue-collar golfer with the golden touch from Latrobe, Pennsylvania, who was as popular as he was successful. If Arnold signed onto the project, financial backing would surely follow.Palmer Management was looking to get into the golf course-management business, and the Craft’s needed their big name. A few meetings later, Arnold Palmer was landing at Jack Edwards Airport to check out this new Alabama golf course.
The two men had more in common than they knew. R.C. was the son of a farmer, and Arnold was the son of a golf course superintendent and pro. Both had ties to the earth. Both had a passion for the golf, but there was more to the connection than that. Arnold and R.C.looked alike, both physically and when they swung a golf club. R.C. was even called “Arnie” by his golfing buddies. Picture it if you can. Arnold Palmer and “Arnie” Craft, riding in the same golf cart, touring the facility. But instead of looking at fairways and greens, Arnold became interested in Craft’s sod harvesting taking place nearby. Soon, instead of touring the golf course, Arnold was receiving sodding lessons from R.C., and eventually found himself riding the sod cutter, getting his hands dirty.
After Arnold’s sod-harvesting education was complete, the golf tour resumed, but the decision had all but been made. After touring only a few holes, Arnold told R.C. that the deal would be done.The former Georgia farm boy and the world-renowned golfer had hit it off, and the Alabama Gulf Coast would never be the same.
R.C. Craft passed away in 2006, but the confirmation of his vision lives on. Just as he imagined, the Alabama coast is sleepy no more.The bond R.C. forged with Arnold Palmer resulted in deft design touches that distinguish the only Palmer-designed golf courses in the state. The stately Cotton Creek Clubhouse breathes Southern hospitality and beauty, as well as meals that any Southern grandmother would envy. All because two big personalities with two big visions got their hands dirty harvesting sod. Arnold recognized that this was somewhere he needed to be.Come to Craft Farms, and you’ll feel the same way.
About the Courses: Cotton Creek and Cypress Bend
COTTON CREEK COURSE
18 holes, Par 72
Featuring rolling fairways and large undulating greens, Cotton Creek is very playable from the forward tees and a true championship challenge of over 7,000 yards from the tips. True to its Palmer design, this traditional 18-hole masterpiece was laid out to challenge rather than intimidate, with numerous risk/reward opportunities throughout.
Golf Digest has consistently rated Cotton Creek as one of the best places to play. This 4-star course features tree-lined, rolling fairways surrounded by lakes. The lush course is challenging for low handicap players, but with five staggered tee boxes, it is a fun challenge for golfers at any level.Considering a risky shot to go for the green? Your bravery will be rewarded with the large undulating greens. The 6th Hole is the most challenging on Cotton Creek. With a well-placed tee shot over water to the fairway, the 2nd shot also requires a smart swing over more water to the green. A birdie on this hole delights anyone who rises to meet its challenge.
CYPRESS BEND COURSE
18 holes, Par 72
Boasting a 4.5 star rating by Golf Digest, this architectural masterpiece features staggered tee boxes, sprawling bunkers, top quality putting surfaces and year–round lush conditions. A perfect complement to its big sister, Cotton Creek, this course has a coastal feel as it traverses a unique system of cord-grass accented lakes, which come into play on nearly every hole. Cypress Bend offers wide fairways, vast landing areas and large undulating greens, giving golfers confidence as they prepare to tackle this Palmer creation.
The modern layout and links-style course is a pleasure to play. The 4th Hole is the trickiest on the course. You must have a well-placed tee shot and may not want to use your driver. The 2nd shot over water must be placed just right to score well on this hole.
Military Specials
During the month of September, Craft Farms offered military and first responders specials to honor their commitment to keeping our country and communities safe. On Labor Day and September 11, all military and first responders played FREE at Craft Farms. For the entire month of September, military and first responders also received 50% off greens fees and 50% off rental clubs at Rock Creek, Craft Farms, and Peninsula.
“As we entered into September, we felt that it was a month of remembrance and appreciation,” said Chad Leonard, regional director of club operations for Honours Golf. “We chose to honor these brave men and women as our way of showing gratitude for their dedication to our country and our community. It was great to see so many military personnel and first responders on our courses.”
In addition to this offer, each club honored Patriot Golf Day with various promotions to benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation. Since 2007, the Folds of Honor has carried forth its noble mission of providing educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members. The Honours Golf Gulf Coast courses (Peninsula, Craft Farms, and Rock Creek) were able to raise $1,977 to benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation through their Patriot Golf events.
Craft Farms continues to honor military and first responders throughout 2018. Until December 31, 2018, all active and retired military, police, firefighters and EMTs get 25% off normal rates any day of the week!
Family Golf Specials at Craft Farms
Get out of the bleachers and get into the game!
With school starting back and busy schedules underway, people are finding they have less time to spend as a family. As a parent, you’re always cheering on your children. As they compete in sports, pick up an instrument, struggle through their homework – you’re their biggest fan. You spend hours at the ballpark, in a van traveling to soccer tournaments, on the bleachers listening to the squeaks from a basketball court. It’s a great time as a parent, but a fleeting one as well.
How long do you really have to be able to sit in these stands and cheer them on?What if they picked up a sport that you could do together, after their days of playing sports in high school or college are over?What if your daughter or son took up golf, and you were able to play together forever?
It is a game that transcends generations. It is a game that endures.
At Craft Farms, we’re encouraging families to get into golf together. We’re offering several family golf specials this month:
• Juniors golf FREE, when playing with a paying adult.
• Juniors enjoy complimentary rental clubs all day.
• Juniors receive complimentary instruction when taking a lesson with a paying adult.
*Juniors are considered to be 17 and younger.
Fall in Love With These Specials
With fall weather right around the corner, there is never a better time to play golf in Gulf Shores. Craft Farms is delivering exceptional fall specials for the avid golfer and families alike.
Fall Specials:
• Super Twilight: Golf as low as $40 starting at 4:00 p.m.
• Play All Day at Craft Farms for $119
• DoublePlay: Play two rounds of golf within seven days of each other for $129
• Juniors 17 and under play FREE with regularly priced adult round
• Juniors receive a free lesson with paid adult lesson
• FREE rental clubs for juniors all day
Managed by Honours Golf, a division of Troon, Craft Farms rises to the highest of expectations. A tradition at Honours Golf facilities, Craft Farms features chilled apples on the 1st tee on each course, and iced-cold towels delivered on sweltering days. Beyond the golf course, guests enjoy the Southern Hospitality where you’ll find friendly, experienced staff always willing to make your visit as enjoyable and complete as possible.
