Beach, golf course make waves
OUTDOOR MAGAZINE, GOLF DIGEST GIVE LOCAL AMENITIES MENTION
BY PHIL REYNOLDS SOUTH JETTY REPORTER
ABC morning show talks about beach; golf course to get Sports Illustrated nod

It may seem like preaching to the choir – if you've been here, you already know how great Mustang Island is – but the ABC News TV program “Good Morning America” has touted the island as one of the nation's top 10 beaches.

On top of that, a golf course under construction is being recognized nationwide by publications that rate recreational facilities.

Speaking of the beaches, “Good Morning America”, quoting Outdoor Magazine, said, “Everything is big in Texas, including the fish.”

Outdoor Magazine said, “In ad- dition to sand that seems to stretch on forever, the bays, jetties and deep Gulf waters are home to speckled trout, redfish, black drum, flounder, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, kingfish, tarpon, sheepshead, sailfish, marlin, tuna … the list goes on and on.”

It even gave a nod to the ferry system, noting that it “provides free transportation from Port Aransas to Mustang Island seven days a week, 24 hours a day.”

OK, so the ferries run between Port Aransas and the mainland instead of between Port Aransas and Mustang Island. Details, details.

The program aired on “Good Morning America” on Dec. 2. Mustang Island was named ninth in the list of best beaches nationwide.

In an e-mail, developer Randal Greene said Sports Illustrated would feature the Newport Golf Course as its 2008 course of the year. Greene also said critic Geoff Shackleford had written an article for Golf Digest magazine praising the course, and that Golf Digest would feature Newport Golf Course on a cover next year or in 2008.

Newport Golf Course, part of the massive Newport Beach and Golf North, was designed by Arnold Palmer and is under construction. Palmer recently announced his retirement from golf to concentrate on course design.

Speaking of Palmer's course designs, the Orlando Sentinel, in a story on Palmer, noted that the Mustang Island course is one of five courses around the world that were designed for the seashore.

Course architect Erik Larsen said, “Think about that – 30 holes with the impact of the 18th at Pebble Beach.”

Ann Bracher Vaughan, executive director of the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce-Tourist Bureau, wasn't surprised at the recognition.

“Of course, we've known all along how great our beaches are,” she said. “After all, we spend a lot of time and effort making sure they're as nice as they can be. They're the reason people come to see us, and we want them to be as friendly as possible.”

If stories are correct, the beach may soon have to share the spotlight with a golf course or two.