By WMBF News Staff
Published: Aug. 15, 2024 at 9:53 AM EDT|Updated: Aug. 15, 2024 at 6:20 PM EDT
MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - Officials are hailing the inaugural Myrtle Beach Classic not only as a success in the golf world but also as a financial one.
Based on calculations, the Myrtle Beach Classic generated a total economic impact of $15.4 million, according to a news release from the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
This money bolstered the local economy, increasing tax revenues and supporting local jobs, the news release states.
“The event has exceeded our expectations in every possible way,” Myrtle Beach Classic Tournament Director Darren Nelson said. “Knowing that $15.4 million was put back into the Grand Strand economy is incredibly rewarding. It not only supports local business – both big and small – but generates additional tax income that ultimately improves the destination and enhances the quality of life for residents.”
The Myrtle Beach Classic was held at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club back in May.
The tournament welcomed more than 40,000 spectators through the four days of play, according to the chamber.
52% of Spectators were from outside of Myrtle Beach and people traveled from 12 different countries.
Tournament Director, Darren Nelson, said the event exceeded expectations.
“It just shows you the game of golf is really not only a national sport, but an international sport, I mean it started in Europe so folks came from all across the country to attend the event, I think it was 52% were from outside of 50 miles of Myrtle Beach which we loved,” said Nelson.
Visit Myrtle Beach said the 15.4 million in economic impact makes the inaugural PGA event a top generating event in the Grand Strand. The only event that surpassed it is CCMF which reported a $20 million impact in 2015.
“Year one of this remarkable PGA TOUR event further positioned The Beach as a premier travel destination for golf enthusiasts across the world,” MBACC Interim President and CEO and the tournament’s title sponsor Tracy Connor said. “The entire Grand Strand experienced the positive effects of this major sporting event from increased tax revenues and job support to heightened golf participation and community pride, setting the stage for continued growth and success in the years to come.”
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Myrtle Beach Classic draws over 40K to Grand Strand, chamber says
The chamber also listed some other “key performance indicators” in its news release, which can be viewed below:
- $15.4 million economic impact makes the Myrtle Beach Classic a top generating event for the Grand Strand surpassed only by the Carolina Country Music Festival, which reported a $20 million impact in 2015, its inaugural year (Visit Myrtle Beach).
- 52 percent of Myrtle Beach Classic attendees visited the Grand Strand from areas located across the U.S. and 12 countries (Zartico, a U.S.-based data science company).
- 8 hours of live coverage appeared on the GOLF Channel and licensed media partners across 73 countries and territories as well as significant exposure through other GOLF Channel programming, websites and social media sites (PGA TOUR).
- 900+ editorial mentions (earned media) captured across major media platforms such as NBCUniversal, CBS and ESPN (PGA TOUR).
- 9 charities based in Horry and Georgetown counties rewarded as the recipients of $225,000 in total local donations (PGA TOUR).
- $600,000-plus in merchandise purchased during the event, using local vendor Native Sons, and $700,000-plus in food and beverage purchased (Myrtle Beach Classic).
- 9,400-plus lodging room nights booked across the Grand Strand (Visit Myrtle Beach).
- 281,000-plus rounds of golf were played across the Grand Strand in the month of May 2024, which was an all-time record for the month of May (Golf Tourism Solutions).
- The Q at Myrtle Beach, a unique qualifying event that was released on Play Golf Myrtle Beach’s YouTube channel on April 23, generated over 530,000 hours of watch time and one million YouTube views (Golf Tourism Solutions).
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Next year’s Myrtle Beach Classic will be held May 8 through May 11 at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club.
Tickets are set to go on sale in the fall, with volunteer registration opening in early 2025.
Nelson said plans for the second Myrtle Beach Classic are already underway, and it will be bigger and better with “an enhanced fan experience that includes more seating, entertainment options and vendors.”
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