Join us in Alabama on the Robert Trent Jones Trail

Fairways Golf & Travel is pleased to present our first golf expedition of 2018 to Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Trail. It’s a six (6) night stay with 8 rounds of golf and options for more if you want. We’ll be visiting four different RTJ Trail properties that feature some of the best courses in the State. And like all of our expeditions, while they’re mostly about golf, they’re not always about golf. We’ll be visiting intriguing local spots and experiencing some terrific dining and there’s enough flex time to create additional side trips or just hang out with the guys. On the golf course, we’ll have a little competition and some incredibly memorable golf. As usual, we’ll wind it all up with a banquet and celebration. This trip will be hosted by Fairways Magazine Editor Peter Mumford.

Here are the details:

Alabama 2018

• Sunday March 18 – Saturday March 24
• 8 rounds of golf on 8 different courses at 4 different RTJ Trail facilities
• 6 nights accommodations at Marriot properties minutes from the course
• Ground transportation to and from Atlanta airport plus all transfers between RTJ Trail properties
• Banquet dinner including wine & pre-dinner cocktails
• Daily tee time preparation, scoring and prizes
• Fairways Welcome Gift
• Price $1,635 US (land only)

Participants

This trip is only available to Fairways Golf Club members and their guests. Fairways Golf Club includes Fairways VIP Travel Club, Fairways Men’s League and Fairways Premium Player cardholders. If you would like to participate in this trip and are not currently a member of the Fairways Golf Club, please email peter@fairwaysgolf.ca for further details.

Travel Options

The Atlanta airport is about 90 minutes from our first stop in Auburn/Opelika. Air Canada has four non-stop flights from Toronto to Atlanta on Sunday March 18 and the same number of return flights on Saturday March 24. The price is about $400 CDN return including all taxes.

Some people have indicated that they may drive to Alabama. Drive time to Auburn/Opelika from Hwy 400 & Hwy 407 in the GTA is approximately 16 hours.

Ground Transportation

Pricing includes shared use of a 6-passenger van, gas and insurance for the week including transfer to and from the Atlanta airport, daily transfers for golf, dining and sightseeing and transfers between RTJ Trail properties. Depending on the actual numbers of participants, the number and style of vehicles may be amended. For those driving their own vehicles, there will be a slight reduction in the cost of the trip.

Golf

Pricing includes the green fee for 18 holes, range balls and shared use of a power cart for each round listed.

Tee times & additional golf

The first tee times each day is at 8 AM. Sunset in March will be about 7 pm so there is ample time to complete a second round. The current itinerary and pricing allows for a second round on Tues Mar 20 on the Short Course at Grand National (Excellent par-3 course) and a second round Wed March 21 on The Legislator at Capitol Hill. Thursday afternoon is a travel time but that leaves time on both Monday and Friday for more golf if you want. There are other optional events on both days too if you prefer. The increase to go from 18 holes per day to unlimited golf per day is relatively small and depends on the course.

Accommodations

The RTJ Trail is a Marriott partner and there is an excellent Marriott hotel just minutes from each facility. The Renaissance Marriott Ross Bridge Resort is right on property and features pools, spa, fitness centre and other amenities. Pricing is based on double occupancy and includes breakfast each day.

Dining & other options

One of the most intriguing aspects of a golf trip is the opportunity to experience the local culture including food, wine and beer. Reservations will be made on select nights at local eateries that reflect typical Alabama cuisine, which includes their famous Southern BBQ. Most days, lunch will be at the golf course following the morning round.

Other options include a visit to Auburn University, local craft brew pubs, spa treatments and sightseeing in the historic city of Birmingham.

Senior Discount

The RTJ Trail offers seniors (65 and over) a 20% discount on green fees from Monday to Thursday. There is no senior discount on accommodations.

Confirmation and payment

All pricing is in US dollars. A deposit of $1000 CDN is due by January 25 to secure your spot on this trip. The balance will be due by February 18 and will reflect any personal adjustments (senior discount, own vehicle etc) to your cost of the trip. The final balance will also reflect the rate of exchange in effect for that date.

Payment may be made as follows:

1. E-transfer to Fairways Golf & Travel ( peter@fairwaysgolf.ca )
2. Credit card or PayPal on the Fairways website fairwaysgolf.ca/shop Click on Alabama 2017.
3. Personal cheque.

Detailed Itinerary

Sunday March 18

• Travel day
• Check in at Auburn Marriott in Opelika, Alabama
• Dinner at your leisure

Monday March 19

• 6-8 am: breakfast at hotel (included), to Grand National (5 minutes), warm-up on range
• 8-1 pm: play Grand National Lake course, Ranked #9 “Best Places to Play in Alabama” by Golf Digest (first tee time is 8 am)
• 1-2 pm: lunch in clubhouse
• 2-4 pm: free time
• 4-6 pm: visit Auburn University
• 6-8 pm: dinner reservations at TBA

Tuesday March 20

• 6-8 am: breakfast at hotel (included), check out of hotel, travel to Grand National (5 minutes), warm-up on range
• 8-1 pm: play Grand National Links course, Ranked #7 “Best Courses to Play in Alabama” by Golf Digest (first tee time is 8 am)
• 1-2 pm: lunch in clubhouse
• 2-6 pm: play Grand National Short course
• 6-7 pm: travel to Marriott Legends in Prattville, AL (about 75 minutes), check into hotel
• 7-9 pm: dinner at your leisure

Wednesday March 21

• 6-8 am: breakfast at hotel (included), travel to Capitol Hill (5 minutes), warm-up on range
• 8-1 pm: play Capitol Hill Senator course (first tee time is 8 am)
• 1-2 pm: lunch in clubhouse
• 2-6 pm: play Capitol Hill Legislator course (tee times TBA)
• 6-8 pm: dinner reservations at TBA

Thursday March 22

• 6-8 am: breakfast at hotel (included), check out of hotel, travel to Capitol Hill (5 minutes), warm-up on range
• 8-1 pm: play Capitol Hill Judge course, Ranked #6 “Best Courses to Play in Alabama” by Golf Digest (first tee time is 8 am)
• 1-2 pm: lunch in clubhouse
• 2-4 pm: travel to Renaissance Ross Bridge Resort in Birmingham (90 minutes), check into hotel
• 4-6 pm: free time
• 6-8 pm: dinner at Dreamland BBQ

Friday March 23

• 6-8 am: breakfast at hotel (included), travel to Oxmoor Valley Golf Club (5 minutes), warm-up on range
• 8-1 pm: play Oxmoor Valley Ridge course (first tee time is 8 am)
• 1-2 pm: lunch in clubhouse
• 2-6 pm: free time (options include playing Oxmoor Valley Short course, spa treatment at Ross Bridge, touring Birmingham)
• 6-8 pm: Fairways Golf & Travel Banquet at Ross Bridge Resort (included)

Saturday March 24

• 6-8 am: breakfast at hotel (included), check out of hotel, warm-up on range
• 8-1 pm: play Ross Bridge (first tee time is 8 am)
• 1-2 pm: lunch in clubhouse, depart for Atlanta airport / home.

About RTJ Trail

The Robert Trent Jones Trail features 11 Trail sites, 26 courses and 468 holes of golf, showcasing the exceptionally beautiful rolling terrain, lakes and wetlands of Alabama. Several of the Trail courses are ranked on various lists as Best in State or Best in the US. The Grand National Club is the annual host of the PGA Tour Barbasol Championship and other courses routinely host LPGA, Web.com and PGA Tour Champions events. www.rtjgolf.com

About Fairways Golf Expeditions

For almost 20 years, Fairways Magazine Editor Peter Mumford has travelled the golf world experiencing the best courses, accommodations, tourist attractions and dining experiences as a travel writer. Fairways Golf Expeditions was created for avid golfers and curious travellers to experience some of the same wonderful courses and compelling attractions. Each trip involves an itinerary that includes plenty of golf, local culture and lots of wonderful memories.

About Fairways Magazine

Fairways Magazine has been published in the GTA since 2001, first in print and more recently as a digital emagazine. It is aimed at Boomers and wannabe Boomers – the over 50 age group that loves to golf and travel and has the means to enjoy both to the fullest. www.fairwaysgolf.ca