MYRTLE BEACH FEATURE:

Myrtle Beach
Spring Forecast:
Sunshine and Full Courses

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (Jan. 3, 2002) If you are expecting to find empty fairways throughout the Grand Strand this spring, you may be shocked to find a line at the first tee of your favorite course during the beach's peak golf season this year.

The Grand Strand's golf course industry has been holding its collective breath since Sept. 11, but based on advanced bookings at a number of local courses and golf packaging companies, its time for courses from Brunswick County to Georgetown to let out a giant sigh of relief.

"It is really promising; we are very optimistic," said Joy Causey, Director of Marketing at Calabash Golf Links. "I am a little bit ahead of where I was last year. It must be the drive market or maybe things are really settling down. Also, Myrtle Beach is so affordable and the prices have come down even more because of recent events."

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Most Myrtle Beach courses reported drastic drops in rounds played for the month of Sept., but numbers approached normal levels during the peak fall season in Oct. and early November. Traditionally, the spring has been Myrtle Beach's busiest season, primarily due to the number of northern golfers seeking refuge from the cold. Reservations for stay and play packages are typically made by late Jan., according to local travel officials, and so far the numbers are beginning to add up.

"In December, we doubled the number of inquires we received and that was very encouraging," said Bill Golden, Director of Marketing for Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. "So far in January, the response has been phenomenal. All of us feel like its our right to travel, and maybe a lot of stuff that needed sorted out with travelers is getting sorted out. Preliminary bookings at most of the courses we work with are strong and the word on the street is that it's going to be one of the best springs we've had in a while."

Golden and other travel experts admit that they are shocked that the number of golfers heading to the beach this spring could be significantly above last season's totals. Many officials attribute this counterintuitive, emerging trend to the Grand Strand's strong "drive market."

According to Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, over 70 percent of golfers arrive at the beach via automobile. That number increases to almost 93 percent for the entire travel market. With gasoline prices down over 30 cents per gallon from this time last year, it appears that thousands of duffers will be fueling up the car, throwing the clubs in the trunk, and making their way to the Strand's 110 plus golf courses.

"I am not going to say that we are ahead of last year, but based on bookings right now, we are right were we were last year," said Jerry McGraw, President of Carolina Golf and Travel. "I think Myrtle Beach will hold its own, and I think it's a lot of people who don't want to fly that are driving here. Throw in the fact that we're about the most affordable golf destination in the entire world, and it makes some sense."

Golfers arriving in April and May can expect ideal playing weather, mixed with the occasional spring shower. Average highs range from 65 to 75 degrees, with lows in the high 40's to high 50's. Water temperatures are slightly lower than during the fall season, but the majority of seasonal restaurants and local attractions reopen by mid-March.

"If you come here in the spring, you'll find a fully operational destination," Causey said. "That is truly when the Grand Strand comes into its own as a golfing powerhouse."

McGraw said he'd be able to gauge what type of spring his company will have within the next two to three weeks.

"Late January is when the calls start pouring in," he said. "The kids get back to school, the parents get back to work, its cold, and thoughts of golf and warmer weather start to dance around in their heads."

Shane Sharp is a Contributing Writer with TravelGolf.com. Contact him at sharp@travelgolf.com.