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By Marjorie Cook

For Brian Stewart of Scarborough, the price of admission to the Toronto Golf & Travel Show was more than worth it. While attending the show in February of 2009, Brian took the time to stop by the Traveling Golfer booth and entered to win one of two great golf vacations. Much to his surprise, he won a trip for four to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

"I had never entered a Traveling Golfer contest in the past," he explained, "but it sounded like a good prize to win, so I figured why not."

Brian has not traveled for golf very often in the past, but now that he has retired he expects to be traveling a little more frequently. Since retiring, he has been able to make good of this self-promise by traveling to three different locations in the United States. During the Ontario golf season, this 10-handicap enjoys playing a various courses throughout the Greater Toronto Area, Niagara and in Muskoka about two or three times per week.

Brian admitted that he had never been to Mississippi before, and had actually never considered it as a golf destination before winning the contest. In the past, "My focus was generally on destinations like Florida or South Carolina. Once I realized that I had actually won, I began to research the Mississippi area for golf courses, amenities, etc."

Brian's Gulf Coast prize included a trip for himself and 3 friends. He took his son and two brothers as they are all avid golfers and enjoy playing a variety of courses. Who would not enjoy such a trip! Accommodations for 5 nights were at the luxurious ocean side Legacy Towers provided by Gulf Coast Resort Rental and rounds of golf at 4 of the finest courses that the Mississippi Gulf Coast has to offer:

- The Jack Nicklaus designed Grand Bear Golf Club with a 4 ½ Star Golf Digest Rating;
- An Arnold Palmer Signature Course – The Bridges Golf Club at Hollywood Casino;
- The Oaks Golf Club Rated 4 Stars by Golf Digest Places to Play; and
- The Mark McCumber designed Windance Country Club

I asked Brian to tell me a little bit more about how he and his group got to the Gulf Coast and their impressions of both the Gulf Coast itself and the condominium they stayed at.

"We drove to the Coast. We began from Sarnia (where one brother lives) and we travelled over a two day period staying overnight in Nashville, TN. The full drive time including stops was approximately 19 hours.

"I was quite impressed with the Coast. It is remarkable how much rebuilding is currently taking place in the area, and how much has been completed since Katrina.

"The group really enjoyed our condominium unit. It was very comfortable with terrific views of the Gulf of Mexico. Although we did enjoy some of the great restaurants in the area, it was also quite nice to buy our own groceries have a few meals in the condo, too."
Grand Bear Golf Club
The Oaks Golf Club
Windance Country Club

When asked about the golf itself, Brian felt all of the courses were remarkable.

Windance, a Mark McCumber design that has hosted many Ben Hogan/Nike tour events was "fun to play, and had true and fast greens." He described The Oaks - rated 4 star by Golf Digest – as having "scenic par 3's with narrow fairways. It was very challenging, yet enjoyable to play." The Bridges was "very scenic and fun to play," and he and his group found Grand Bear to be "the most challenging of all, but also the most enjoyable to play. It was my favourite of the four and The Oaks would be a close second."

Brian's most memorable round during his stay on the Coast was at Grand Bear. He said the people there were very friendly and the weather conditions were excellent. He also confessed that this is where he posted his best score for the week. (I suspect this is why it was his favourite round.)

His travel companions agreed that all of the courses were very challenging but quite playable, and indicated they felt he Oaks was a close second to Grand Bear.

While in the region, the foursome enjoyed some sightseeing, swimming and jogging. Brian told me that "we very much enjoyed ourselves in Mississippi and will definitely return in the future. The weather cooperated the whole time we were there (late October), and the people were the most friendly we have ever met.
I would have to describe the Gulf Coast as a premier golf destination, and I can tell that it will definitely be an even greater "hot spot" in the coming years."

Congratulations, again Brian. Everyone at the Traveling Golfer is glad to hear that you enjoyed your trip to the Gulf Coast.

The current contest featured on The Traveling Golfer is a trip for two to North Carolina including four nights accommodations and three rounds of golf. CLICK HERE for your opportunity to enter.

12/09

 

 

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