Rarefied Air: Cirrus Aircraft Golf Trip To The Texas Gulf Coast

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I’ve been extremely fortunate to have had some amazing experiences throughout this incredible ride we call life, but few can match the unique opportunity presented my way, recently, by a great friend of mine here in Austin, Adam Hahn, Regional Sales Director with Cirrus Aircraft, the maker of the best-selling airplane in the world (and now also proudly the Official Aircraft of the Unofficial Mayor of Austin!).

Along with Chris Cain, Director of Sales and Marketing with Dulce Vida Organic Tequila, Adam offered us the chance to fly with him on a top-of-the-line 2012 Cirrus SR22T GTS, quite simply the most technologically-advanced, single engine airplane in the entire world. However, we were not just taking a “quick spin” around the Capital City. No, on this particular day, we would be taking a hop down to the Texas Gulf Coast for an incredible day out and an exceptional round of golf at the spectacular Arnold Palmer-designed Newport Dunes Golf Club on Mustang Beach in Port Aransas.

So, on a picture-perfect, cloudless day, Adam, Chris and I aimed for the Cirrus SR22T GTS located at the recently-opened and first-class, Austin Executive Airport, golf clubs in tow, much fun to be had, not to mention, convenient, free parking and absolutely NO security lines to hassle with. A flawless start to a priceless day!

Located 250 miles, more or less, due south of Austin, the Port Aransas area would typically take about 4 hours by car, however, thanks to Adam and his uber-modern Cirrus SR22T GTS, the three of us landed at the postage stamp-sized Mustang Beach Airport in just a shade under an hour. A smooth, quick flight with incredible panoramic views in the comfort of an aircraft unlike any I’ve ever experienced (lest I fail to mention that Adam is one great pilot!). Simply awesome journey to the coast, to say the least.

Upon arrival at Mustang Beach, the ante was upped on this ridiculous excursion, thanks to the Newport Dunes Golf Club staff offering and providing us with courtesy transportation from the runway to the pro shop. Was this really happening? Five-star treatment all day long!

Once at the golf course, the pampering continued. The incredibly helpful and generous Newport Dunes staff ensured that Adam, Chris and I had absolutely everything we could possibly need for our round, including iced down coolers on the carts filled with premium beers, ample food offerings and, get this, chilled mango towels to help keep us cool from the somewhat balmy temperatures on this Summer day in the Lone Star State.

I’ll say it again, the experience on this day was simply unbelievable. From the gentle breezes coming off the Gulf of Mexico, to the blue and sunny skies, to the exceptional Skinny Margaritas provided by Mr. Cain and the good folks at Dulce Vida, to the opportunity to chase the little white ball around all afternoon…all nearly too much for one man to handle, let alone three.

The golf course, itself, at Newport Dunes was just as impressive as everything else we witnessed on the trip. A wide open, links-style coastal layout, thanks to the legendary Arnold Palmer, surely provided the three of us with a daunting challenge. The Par-71 track proved, off the very first tee, there’s much trouble to be found if one doesn’t keep the ball in the fairway. The slightest push or pull, left or right, on most holes, aided by the sea breeze or not, left Adam, Chris and I climbing the scenic dunes in challenging search for our little white friends.

A true test of links golf, the front nine led us more inland, with picturesque views of Corpus Christi Bay, while the back nine knocked our socks off with stellar sights along the Texas Gulf shoreline. All in all, the round was fantastic, albeit a bit frustrating, due to our inconsistent play. Honestly, tough, can’t say enough about the course and the Newport Dunes staff!

Following the golf outing and a few post-round Dulce Vida cocktails, we were whisked back to the Mustang Island Airport by the Newport Dunes courtesy transportation, boarded the Cirrus Aircraft and, before you knew it, Adam had the wheels back on the ground in Austin, not even one hour later. Just that convenient and just that amazing. In a few words, this day was unlike any other. Incredible!

I must send huge thanks out to Adam Hahn with Cirrus Aircraft for taking us on the captivating flight, Chris Cain with Dulce Vida Organic Tequila for providing the tasty cocktails and the Newport Dunes Golf Club staff for the amazing hospitality and for hosting us for the day.

In the event you are interested in finding out more about Cirrus Aircraft and the Cirrus SR22T GTS, specifically, please contact Adam Hahn at ahahn@cirrusaircraft.com or (512) 522-3582.