Tennis Is in the Air—And at the Beach!

Finally, fall has arrived—a significant event for many sports fans. The start of football season, of course, is a significant point of the season, but another popular sport is also entering a busy period: tennis. And Gulf Shores & Orange Beach is certainly getting in on the tennis action this fall with several upcoming USTA events.

First up is the Alabama State Tri-Level Tennis Championship, taking place September 26^th – 29^th and involving more than 300 tennis players competing for the championship title. Then in October comes the Alabama State Senior and Super Senior Tennis Championships (October 24^th – 27^th). This time around you can watch more than 400 athletes battle it out for the win. And though the weather may be cooling down in November, the tennis action won’t be—the Alabama Adult Combo Tennis State Championships will take place November 7^th – 10^th and will include both men’s and women’s teams.

Now that you have several sports-related reasons to make the trip down—whether you’re planning to participate or simply watch—here are three Champion sponsors of the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission who can make the trip feel like a true beach vacation: Sugar Sands Realty, Surf Style, and Zen Restaurant. Between these three much-appreciated sponsors,  you can book a Gulf Coast vacation rental, shop for the latest beach fashions (and other goods), and then enjoy a delicious dinner out in a peaceful environment.

It’s a perfect plan for a perfect season. Be here for all the action!

Ride into Fall at the Beach, and Make It a Real Beach Vacation

Summer is coming to an end, and fall is close at hand—two great seasons for vacationing on the Gulf. And we have the perfect Gulf Shores & Orange Beach event coming up to wrap up one season and begin the next: the MS Ride-Tour de Beach.

Taking place right at the turn of the season, September 20^th – 22^nd, participants can literally ride from summer into fall. Cyclists can engage in 25-, 45-, or 75-mile bike rides that begin and end at the Hampton Inn in Orange Beach. If you participate in the event, you get to enjoy a massage after your ride, delicious food at the bike MS lounge, and an awards banquet. If you don’t participate, you could still come out to watch and support the event—it’s for a good fundraising cause, after all.

And while you’re in town for this Orange Beach bike event—participating or not participating—why not make it a true Gulf Coast vacation? Just book a room somewhere and plan to stay a little longer. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission Champion sponsor Perdido Beach Resort is nearby in Orange Beach and offers some top-notch accommodations and fun resort activities like tennis, indoor/outdoor pools, and a health club.

Ready to venture away from the Gulf-front resort? It’s a great time of year for fishing and boating, and Champion sponsor Reel Surprise Charters at SanRoc Cay can set up this type of excursion. And not too far away at The Wharf is Champion sponsor Sand Dollar Lifestyles—an excellent choice for beach shopping.

Two other Champion sponsors can help fill the void that will likely develop after such an active day: Rhythm &Ribs and Sea-N-Suds Restaurant, both in Gulf Shores, offer some seriously delicious food.

And since we’re recognizing Champion sponsors, let’s add one more: Kutter’s Grounds Maintenance. Thanks to all of these sponsors for their support!

Feeling Up for a Gymnastics Competition? Head to the Gulf in September!

It’s mid-August, and things are really heating up here in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach—not just the weather, but the sports action, too. And don’t expect things to cool down when September rolls around. We’ll be plugging right along right through the month and into fall.

And starting things off in September is one high-energy, keep-you-on-your-toes sporting event: the Bama Bounders Beach Bash Gymnastics Competition. It takes place September 6^th – 8^th at The Wharf and features young gymnasts from the southeast. So if you’re planning on vacationing in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach in early September (and you should plan on it—late summer is an excellent time of year to enjoy our white-sand beaches), plan on attending this event. Who knows? You just might see a future Olympic gymnast.

Need a place to stay while you’re here? We have a few recommendations—like Champion sponsor Holiday Inn Express in Gulf Shores, where you can enjoy a nice hotel room with amenities like an outdoor pool and whirlpool. Or if you want to take full advantage being on the Gulf, there are plenty of beach-front hotel options, including Champion sponsors Holiday Inn Express in Orange Beach and the Hilton Garden Inn in Orange Beach.

Hope to see you there!

August Is Coming—So Is the Southeastern Junior Golf Tournament of Champions

Imagine if you could’ve seen Phil Mickelson or Tiger Woods in action, back before they were known golfers—when they were still kids, in fact.

Obviously we can’t travel back in time, but we can catch a glimpse of the future golf stars of tomorrow. All you have to do is attend the Southeastern Junior Golf Tournament of Champions, taking place at Craft Farms August 5^th through 7^th. This Gulf Shores event is just as the title implies—first-rate junior golfers competing for the championship title. You know these athletes will be putting forth their best efforts.

And perhaps several years down the road, you’ll be able to say you saw a certain PGA pro play during his earliest golfing years.

Maybe you’re planning to attend just to watch, or maybe you have a golfer in the event! Either way, you’ll want a nice place to stay while you’re in town. Gulf-front lodging is always nice—and Gulf Shores Plantation and Hampton Inn & Suites Orange Beach (both Champion sponsors of the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission) offer just that. In addition to being by the Gulf, they both offer another August-friendly amenity: pools (Gulf Shores Plantation actually offers seven pools!).

Or you can find accommodations through a rental company like Bronze sponsor Gulf Shores Rentals, which can help you find lodging according to location, amenities…even properties that allow pets (if the furry family member needs to tag along).

Thanks to all three for their support and services!

Who’s Up for Some Beach Volleyball in July?

A year ago, the world was watching, and was completely enthralled by, beach volleyball in London—and many other sports too, of course. But those USA beach volleyball ladies simply dominated the event and made for some very exciting sports television.

If you’ve been missing that excitement this summer, then now might be a good time to plan to visit Gulf Shores & Orange Beach this month. We have a pretty exciting beach volleyball event coming up this month. First is the Gulf Coast Region Grand Championship Beach Volleyball on July 13^th, which will involve more than 100 young volleyball athletes competing for the Grand Championship title. Next is the Gulf Coast Region USA Beach Volleyball Series On July 20^th; junior and adult athletes will compete in this event. Both take place at Gulf Shores Public Beach—a perfect opportunity to spend the day on the beach watching some exciting beach volleyball. Now that’s a fun summer day at the beach!

Ever notice how simply watching a sport live makes you hungry? We have three excellent recommendations for some delicious Gulf Coast dining: DeSoto’s Seafood Kitchen, where you’ll find a nice variety of fresh seafood, chicken, salads, and more; Flippers Seafood & Oysterbar, which serves both fresh Gulf seafood and land-lover dishes; and The Gulf in Orange Beach, another good choice for good food.

All three are much-appreciated champion sponsors of the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission!

Celebrate the Fourth with Baseball and the Beach

Want to have some fun on July 4^th? Barbecues and fireworks are great on their own; combine them with the beach and a little baseball action and you have quite the Fourth of July celebration.

You won’t have a hard time finding the beach in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, and whether you decide to cookout at your Gulf-front condo or beach house or dine out at a fun beach-side restaurant, being near those white-sand beaches is sure to add a new level of enjoyment to the holiday. Then at night, be sure to catch one of the several fireworks displays planned for the area—whether its fireworks and the Spectra Light Show at The Wharf or the Independence Day Fireworks show at Gulf State Park.

You can also head over to the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sportsplexes to watch the USSSA Global Sports Baseball World Series. This event is currently going on and will still be taking place during the July 4^th holiday. Check out the upcoming baseball stars of tomorrow!

When you’re done there, you might consider a meal at the Compleat Angler Seafood Grille & Bar—delicious seafood gumbo, stunning Gulf Coast sunsets, and a generous Champion sponsor of the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission.

Tempted by the thought of this Independence Day scenario? Book a stay at the Country Hearth Inn, another Champion Sponsor. And since we’re thanking sponsors, let’s add Champion sponsor Coca-Cola to the acknowledgment list. The support of all three sponsors is much appreciated.

Baseball Fans: Head to the Gulf in June and July

Baseball, baseball, and more baseball (and even some softball)—it’s what you’ll find if you come to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach this month and next. Several USSSA sporting events are planned for June and July; all are worth checking out.

 

The ladies are up first, as the USSSA Fastpitch State Softball Tournament is scheduled for June 15^th and 16^th. Then beginning June 18^th is the USSSA Global Sports Baseball World Series 1—and the USSSA baseball fun just rolls on from there. The USSSA Global Sports Coach Pitch World Series, USSSA Global Sports Baseball World Series 2, USSSA Global Sports Baseball World Series 3…just take a look at the sporting events calendar for a complete list of upcoming USSSA events. (Softball does return on July 22^nd with the USSSA Softball “C” World Series.)

That’s a whole lot of activity! And whether you’re in town to play or watch, you’re bound to be doing a lot of running around (from your hotel/condo to the sports event and possibly to a Gulf Shores & Orange Beach attraction). This is where Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission Champion sponsor Beach Express can make life a little easier. This alternative to Highway 59 can save travel time by avoiding traffic lights and traffic congestion. Passes are available, too.

Hungry after all that running around? Champion sponsor Baumhower’s has a delicious menu—and a very fitting sports theme. Check them out at their Orange Beach location.

And while we’re talking sponsors, let’s recognize one more: Champion sponsor Centennial Bank. Thanks for all your support!