Gulf Pines Golf Course, CLOSED 2010

Detailed description of Gulf Pines Golf Course, CLOSED 2010

Gulf Pines Golf Course is a Public, 18 hole golf course located in Mobile, Alabama.

Gulf Pines Golf Course first opened for play in 1970.The course was designed by Marv Ginn.

Gulf Pines is a fun course to play. It is located directly on Mobile Bay. The course is playable for all skill levels. The course's yardage can be deceiving as the golfer must contend with bay breezes and small greens.

The University of South Alabama owns and operates this public golf course.

From the back tees, the course plays to 5,954 yards. From the forward tees, the course measures 5,135 yards. The longest hole on the course is # 12, a par-5 that plays to 506 yards. The shortest hole on the course is # 11, a par-3 that plays to 124 yards from the back tees.

Watch out for # 4, a 408-yard par-4 challenge and the #1 handicap hole on the course. The easiest hole is # 11, a 124 yard par-3.</p>

The course closed in December 2010. The following is excerpted from AL.com.

Hamp Griffin, a part-time employee and long-time player at the course, is emotional about the closing.

"There's great fellowship there," said Griffin, 79. "It's a short golf course, a very friendly golf course, and it's an easy golf course to walk. People are really going to miss it because of that, and some of them are almost in tears over it.

"I know I'm going to miss it, even though I play all over. The fellowship is special. ... People hit balls, chip balls, some hit range balls and never play. They'd just hang out and talk. I worked behind the counter for years and we had so many snowbirds come down and play. They loved Gulf Pines, and they all remarked about what a beautiful golf course this is. There are very few places where you can play right on the water.

"You know, it's just a little dinky golf course that was always taken for granted, but when you think about it, it's really beautiful."