World's most popular golf destination continues to
gain strength

TravelGolf.com Staff Report

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (Jan. 2, 2004) -- Golf rounds played along Myrtle Beach's Grand Strand increased by 10.8 percent in November 2003 compared to the same month last year, according to Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, a non-profit marketing association comprised of 79 accommodations and 96 golf courses.

The strong November comes on the heels of a nine percent increase in rounds played in October. Rounds played along the Grand Strand have increased at least nine percent in three of the past four months (August-November).

There were 340,979 rounds played in November 2003, a significant increase over the 307,646 rounds played during the same period in 2002. The boost in rounds was felt across the board as play increased in nearly every measurable category, including package rounds, walk-on rounds and replay rounds.

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"The Myrtle Beach golf market is on the upswing and the number of rounds played in November is further evidence of that," said Bill Golden, Myrtle Beach Golf Holidays vice president and director of marketing. "We are confident that the momentum we have gained during the second half of 2003 will carry over into 2004."

With more than four million rounds played annually, Myrtle Beach is the worlds most popular golf destination, and the area has witnessed a significant increase in rounds played recently. 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 79 accommodations and 96 championship golf courses in the Myrtle Beach 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 DuPontä 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.