Kiva Dunes GC
Gulf Shores, AL (on the AL/FL border & the Gulf of Mexico)
2010 Fees: $65-$93 (high season is March to early May)
Tide continues to roll at Jerry Pate's Kiva Dunes Golf Course on the Alabama Gulf coast
By Mike Bailey, Senior Staff Writer, TravelGolf.com, 9/10
GULF SHORES, Ala. -- From fairway level, you can't see the ocean at Kiva Dunes Golf Course, but you sure can feel it, taste it and appreciate it. After all, it's only a thousand yards away.
What you can see are natural dunes, wetlands, an alligator or two and one of the best-designed and conditioned golf courses on the Gulf Coast.
This is the baby of Alabama's own Jerry Pate and Jim "Scrappy" Edgemon.
The story of how the 1976 U.S. Open winner and the Kiva Dunes developer met has been well chronicled, but it's worth reiterating.
It was during their college years at the University of Alabama that the two met on a golf course. Pate was practicing on the 16th green at the university course in Tuscaloosa when he let Edgemon play through. To his astonishment, Edgemon's tee shot found the bottom of the cup for an ace, and it wouldn't be the last time he had the good fortune to involve Pate in another winning shot. Years later, when it came time to pick an architect for a cool piece of land between the Gulf of Mexico and Bon Secour Bay, Edgemon bypassed the big names and chose Pate.
"He's been a winner at everything he's ever done," Edgemon said. "I'd seen his work and I knew his passion. I knew, when given the best land, he'd do the best job. And he did. Kiva Dunes is recognized all over the world as one of golf's best and most unique challenges."
Indeed, Kiva Dunes Golf Course is Pate's best known work among a portfolio that might not be large but it very well respected. Kiva Dunes, which opened in 1990, has enjoyed the top spot in the state on many publications' rankings. While some may argue for other golf courses in the area, Kiva Dunes is always a must-play. And in the past couple of years, it's only gotten better.
Better greens, great conditioning at Kiva Dunes Golf Course
A couple of summers ago, Kiva Dunes Golf Course was shut down for a few weeks to install new Champion Bermuda greens. With the installation, personally supervised by Champion breeder Morris Brown, the golf course reopened with some of the best greens in the region, and that continues today.
Kiva Dunes Golf Course also has one of the region's most respected superintendents to take care of the greens in Mike Rienzi, who has seen the golf course through hurricanes, a cold winter and lots of daily fee play. The rest of the golf course, including its plush fairways and white sand bunkers, looks pretty good, too.
As for the difficulty of the golf course, which plays around 7,100 yards from the tips, that all depends on the wind. Located next to the sea, that's usually a given, which means even with the layout's wide fairways, finding the natural wetlands and ponds is pretty easy if you're not in control of your golf ball. Occasionally, though, the wind will lay down, like it did during our review round. That's when Pate's course is somewhat gettable.
"It's usually not this easy," said Mark Stillings, another Alabama alum and longtime director of golf at Kiva Dunes Golf Course. "This is really calm."
Great holes? Take your pick. There is a great variety of par 4s. Some are long and play really long into the wind; some, like the short fourth hole, are driveable for long hitters.
The par 3s also have a lot of bite to them, but Stillings said Pate's favorite is the 13th, a 175-yard Redan-style hole with native plants, sand and deep bunkers surrounding an elevated green that slopes front to back.
Kiva Dunes Golf Course: The verdict
When the wind is up, Kiva Dunes Golf Course can be a bear, which is why it's important to play the proper tees. A group of single-digit handicap players during our review round found plenty of challenge one tee up at 6,500 yards. Moving to the tips, even during a calm day, would have surely produced a few scores in the 90s. Plus, there are a few forced carries that will be difficult to navigate from the back tees by anyone who isn't a near-scratch player or at least carries the driver a long way.
With that said, Kiva Dunes Golf Course is a visual feast. Each hole has a unique look, and even though you can't see the Gulf of Mexico, you always feel its presence. The fairways are wide, so you can let the driver fly, but keeping it on the golf course is key.
The overall facility is also excellent. A large golf shop features plenty of logoed merchandise, both from the golf course and the local colleges, including, of course, the University of Alabama.
There's a large grass driving range, short game area and practice greens. Lessons are available from a pair of excellent teachers -- two-time PGA Dixie Section champion Rea Schuessler and former Swedish national champion Mikki Bjurro.
Kiva Dunes also has a number of condo units and rooms for rent both at the Kiva Village and Kiva Lodge. The lodge is located right behind the 18th green and over the golf shop and grill. Amenities include swimming pools, dunes walkovers to the beach, tennis and excellent dining.
September 22, 2010
Best Bar Nearby: The Pink Pony Pub (www.pinkponypub.com) in Gulf Shores. Per Bikini-Beaches.com, "After a day in the sun and sand, walk up for a casual dinner. Don't feel like leaving... then stick around for some live music played by one of Gulf Shores favorite local bands.
No direction required, drive along the beach in Gulf Shores, it's the pink building!
... Oh Ya! Bikinis are definitely welcome here!
They serve lunch and dinner daily and have a full bar for your drinking enjoyment. Ask about their specialty drink menu. You can drink and dine on their deck with the Gulf surf as your backdrop, or go inside where it's cool.
There's always a Party at the Pink Pony Pub! The nightly live music starts at 9 PM and rolls til 3 AM. They have a band schedule on their web site or give them a call.
Good Times, Good Friends, Cold Drinks...
The History of the Pink Pony Pub
The Pink Pony Pub's heritage started as a 30 by 30 cafe, bar and bait shop located at the foot of the Gulf Shores Pier and run by the Calloway family. The Pink Pony opened for the first time in 1969. Bruce Mernik's parents bought the Seahorse Cottages in 1968 and asked him to join them in the venture. They offered up the little pink building, a shaack at the time, but a bar none the less.
Being a carpenter by trade, Bruce remodeled the original wood building and upgraded the little beach bar. His Mom named it the Pink Pony after the Seahorse on the Cottages. If you talk to some of the older locals, they can still remember this old bar at the end of the fishing pier.
The pier and original wooden Pink Pony are long gone thanks to hurricane Frederic. The new place is concrete with pilings (bring on the hurricanes). Painted pink forever so say it's current owners Bert, Bob and Chopper. The Pink Pony is simple and stark with a lot of heart.
If you're a first timer to Gulf Shores, you shouldn't miss the Pink Pony Pub, it's one of the true landmarks of Gulf Shores!"