There have been rumors circulating throughout the Grand Strand that the Golf Channel will make Myrtle Beach Golf news again. Last night, the Grand Strand Golf Directors Association (GSGDA) held their monthly meeting, this time hosted by the PGA Tour Superstore in North Myrtle Beach South Carolina. Golf industry leaders were all ears as Bill Golden, President of Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, made some big announcements impacting Myrtle Beach Golf. About 50 Golf Professionals and Golf Package Providers were in attendance to hear Mr. Golden talk about several things, the first of which was Golf Holiday’s new website. When launched it will focus on bringing more attention to the individual courses. The new website discussion received a round of applause from the group.
Mr. Golden’s next big announcement was that there would not be an outside title sponsor for the World Amateur Handicap Championship this year, that Golf Holiday would be sponsoring it in house. Mr. Golden quickly followed up saying that it was not due to Golf Holiday’s inability to find a sponsor. It was quite the opposite. He was clear to point out that sponsorship dollars this year were far exceeding last year’s due in particular to Chinese investment into the event. Last year’s involvement with Chinese golf industry experts was a success, he noted, adding that it had led to a major real estate investment by a World Am participant. This statement could have been eluding to the purchase of Colonial Charters Golf Club by a Chinese investor or the recent purchase of Sea Trail Golf Resort just over the boarder in North Carolina.
Mr. Golden then highlighted a 9 day trip he will be taking to China, this time accompanied by Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes. While not specific at the meeting about the exact intentions for the trip, he said they would be in two distinct areas talking with Golf leaders and international golf travel companies about connecting the Chinese golf tourists with the Myrtle Beach area and all it has to offer. With current contracts in place, Mr. Golden said that Dustin Johnson’s face is plastered all over China talking about Myrtle Beach golf and a video shot last week while Dustin was in town was being translated for upload on their social media sites.
Last but not least, excitement rose significantly when the question was asked whether a Golf Channel show may have selected Myrtle Beach as a destination. These rumors were unconfirmed. This would be big big news for the Myrtle Beach Golf Community and would have a major economic impact on this entire area and industry especially with the media exposure already given through the Monday After the Masters at Barefoot Resort. Making it on the Golf Channel Schedule as a location for a popular show is certainly huge Myrtle Beach Golf News.