Summer is quickly approaching in the United States, creating an opportunity for a multi-faceted holiday trip to Myrtle Beach highlighted by a plethora of golf opportunities.
Myrtle Beach summers are filled with families enjoying the 60 miles of wide, sandy Atlantic Ocean beaches and the amenities that support the coastal location. Golf is one of the main attractions – therefore the label ‘Golf Capital of the World’ – with nearly 100 world-class courses located in close proximity. While summer accommodations may be at a peak price, golf opportunities in Myrtle Beach are even more affordable for a destination that has perfected value on golf packages.
Here are some reasons that golfers and their families return to Myrtle Beach each year to enjoy the summer:
Nonstop air service is available from more than 25 U.S. cities and easy connections from Europe are available through Atlanta and Charlotte, just a quick connecting flight to Myrtle Beach.
The Myrtle Beach area was recently recognized as the second fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States from July 2013 to July 2014. The U.S. Census bureau determined that Myrtle Beach grew by 12,000 during that time, an increase of 3.2 percent to 417,668 residents along northeast coastal South Carolina.
The Kids Play Free program is available at several area golf courses for children age 16 and under, accompanied by a paying adult. A junior discount option is also available at many courses. Go to myrtlebeachgolfholiday.com to see applicable courses and book tee times.
In 2014, Myrtle Beach was voted the ‘Best Golf Destination’ globally as the recipient of the 10Best Travel Award contest sponsored by USA TODAY, the United States’ most widely distributed newspaper. The month-long online vote by 10Best, a premium on-line travel guide, and USA TODAY readers ranked a group of global destinations that have golf as a centerpiece. Scotland was the top international golf destination, ranked ninth, and the only non-U.S. site that was voted into the top 10.
Myrtle Beach is home to more than 50 four-star courses and 13 layouts that have been ranked among America’s top 100 public courses. The ‘Grand Strand’ has four courses currently rated in the top 100 public courses (Dunes Club, Caledonia, TPC Myrtle Beach, Barefoot Resort’s Love Course) by Golf Digest or Golf Magazine. Course architects include the titans of the game such as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Fazio, Rees Jones, Pete Dye, Greg Norman and John Daly.
One of the most unique events in golf takes place at the end of summer. Approximately 3,500 participants are expected for the 32nd edition of the Myrtle Beach World Amateur Handicap Championship tournament Aug. 31-Sept. 4. The tournament includes more than 55 Myrtle Beach courses and lives by the theme, ‘Anyone can play, anyone can win’. Registration is available at www.myrtlebeachworldamateur.com for the four-day, 72-hole event and includes a gift bag and nightly entry into the World’s Largest 19th Hole. The 2014 tournament attracted players from 49 states and 32 countries.
