FROM THE NEWSROOM

Rounds played along
Grand Strand increase
by 9 percent in October

TravelGolf.com Staff Report

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (Nov. 20, 2003) -- Golf rounds played along Myrtle Beach's Grand Strand increased by 9.1 percent in October 2003 compared to the same month last year, according to Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, a non-profit marketing association comprised of 77 accommodations and 95 golf courses. There were 393,335 rounds played in October 2003, a significant increase over the 360,657 rounds played during the same period in 2002.

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"We are thrilled with the 9.1 percent rise in rounds played in October, which is one of the most important months for our courses," said Bill Golden, Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday's vice president and director of marketing. "We are optimistic that this momentum will continue throughout the remainder of the year and lead to a great spring in 2004."

The strong October is another positive sign for the strengthening Grand Strand golf market. With more than four million rounds played annually, Myrtle Beach is the world's most popular golf destination, and the area has witnessed a significant increase in rounds played in the previous six months. The Grand Strand set an all-time record for rounds played in the month of May (411,209) and enjoyed an 11 percent surge in August.

Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday is a non-profit trade association of 77 accommodations and 95 championship golf courses in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area. Founded in 1967, the organization has been and continues to be the driving force behind the growth of the Myrtle Beach area golf market.

The cooperative also manages the DuPont Coolmax® World Amateur Handicap Championship, the world's largest on-site golf tournament, the Summer Family Golf Tournaments, the North South High School Golf Championship, the Veterans Golf Classic, and the Annual Golf Writers Association of America Tournament.