Kiva Dunes Golf Course, Gulf Shores, Alabama - the #1 Rated Golf Course in the State, Located Along Alabama's Gulf Coast

Kiva Dunes is situated along the splendor of Alabama's Gulf Coast and is not only the #1-rated course in the state, but has also been said to be one of the most unforgettable, most challenging and most enjoyable golfing experiences in the country.

The course was designed by former U.S Open Champion Jerry Pate, along with Kiva Dunes developer Jim "Scrappy'' Edgemon, who both share in a love of links-style golf. As the story of the Kiva Dunes property goes, Pate first glanced upon the land in 1985 that would one day become Kiva Dunes and thought to himself, "Golf architects would kill for this piece of property.''

Once chosen to be the course architect, Pate explained that he wanted a course design that could challenge the best players with long, forced carries and par fours, as well as complex greens that called for sound strategies and execution. But he also envisioned a course that allowed for simpler options for golfers who were seeking pure enjoyment.

The result is a wide-open, links-style design that allows for both bump-and-run shots, if the course's well-documented winds are gusting, or the "bombs-away'' American style of golf if the winds are quiet. Things get even more interesting on the greens, and many golfers leave the course talking about the speed of the putting surfaces.

The 18-hole, par-72 course plays to 7,092 yards from the longest tees, with a USGA rating of 73.9 and a slope rating of 132. Those are not exactly daunting numbers, and the course - with its views of beach homes and the Gulf Coast - has been said to lull many a golfer with its picturesque scenery.

Some of the most noteworthy features of the course include a great stretch of finishing holes, beginning with No. 13, a par-3 with a wicked, plunging pot bunker. No. 15 is a par-5 that plays to 540 yards from the tips, but can be dramatically more difficult if the winds are blowing that day. No. 17 is another par-3 that will have golfers hitting over a blue lake, while the finishing hole is a dramatic par-4 that plays to 458 yards, wraps around a lake, and features one of the longest greenside approach bunkers to be found.

Since opening in 1995, the course has been recognized and awarded as one of the best in the country. Golf Digest magazine has consistently given Kiva Dunes high marks, including awards such as: Alabama's BEST Place to Play, and the #24 ranking among America's Top 75 Upscale Courses.

The golfing is only half the story, however, as Kiva Dunes Resort has also been highly praised and received its own awards, such as ranking among the Top 75 golf resorts. The beachfront paradise combines a blend of Southern, Gulf Coast style, with West Indian, Spanish, North African and Southeastern American influences to produce a unique experience.

The unspoiled beaches of the Alabama Gulf Coast are only a few paces away, and are known for their inviting and visually inspiring white sand and rolling dunes set against the backdrop of brilliant blue water.

One of the resort's unique features is a Dunes Walkover - a private, wooden walkway that traverses the 30-foot dune that protects the resort and allows guests to traverse the native flora of the area until they reach the beach and the stunning view that opens up before them.

In addition to the activities and lure of the coastal waters, the resort also offers other activities, such as tennis, along with a number of distinctive swimming pools -each designed as a tropical paradise that's been landscaped to blend in with its natural surroundings.

For dining, the Kiva Dunes Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.