They say golf is back to the Grand Strand Great news, right? Of course! More golfers mean more activity for golf courses, golf schools, restaurants, attractions, etc.
This week, I was browsing www.discoversouthcarolina.com and saw an article by Bob Gillespie who wrote, "In difficult economic times, any operation that can produce a 14 percent uptick in business should be viewed as miraculous – or, even better, a sign of revival and better things to come. In May, Myrtle Beach’s golf industry was that “miracle.” Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, a non-profit marketing cooperative that tracks golf tourism along the Grand Strand, reported a 14.7 percent increase in rounds of golf played at area courses for the month. One reason: A 20.6 percent increase in golf package rounds, Golf Holiday officials said. That also contributed to a more modest increase of 8.7 percent in rounds played for the three-month (March-May) spring season."
“The strength of the Myrtle Beach ‘brand’ is a source of optimism as the market continues to rebound,” Golf Holiday president Bill Golden said.
Golden credited "a slowly improving economy, but also special events in the area that he said helped spike interest. Those included the April 11 Hootie & The Blowfish Monday After The Masters Pro-Am, an annual event which this year featured a live broadcast of ESPN’s “Mike & Mike Show,” hosted by Mike Golic and Mike Greenburg.
Also, Golden said, the addition of PGA Tour rising star Dustin Johnson, a former Myrtle Beach resident and All-American at Coastal Carolina University, as a spokesman for area golf “helped reinforce our position as America’s favorite golf destination.” Johnson appeared in TV commercials which were aired in Northeastern and Midwestern markets."
Until then, bargain hunters will brave higher temperatures to play and improve their golf game on the Grand Strand this summer. As far as golf schools and clinics go, look no further than Classic Swing Golf School located in Myrtle Beach. I’ve said it many times, you will get the best golf instruction from a great golf instructor from Classic Swing. Go see Ted and his staff for an improved golf swing and the best golf instruction. For more information click here www.classicswing.com/index2.php or call 843-903-5560.