On Confederate Flag Debate, Myrtle Beach Golfers Largely Waving the Issue Through

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

"Most of the guys that come in are from all over," said Man O' War assistant pro Scott Burns. "All they are worried about how much it costs to play golf, and what the course is like."

Some pro shops and clubhouses reported that players have been discussing the issue, but don't have a particular stance one-way or the other. In fact, most players can't believe that time is being spent discussing the issue.

"Some of the players are saying it is stupid, and that the state just needs to make up its mind," said one local area assistant pro. "Other players just feel that if you don't like it, then don't come to the state."

And that is just what some people and businesses, not necessarily golfers, are doing. The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce officially adopted its stance in November of 1999 that the flag should be removed from the capital dome and placed in "an appropriate place of honor." But despite this forseeable stance by the Chamber, conventions and conferences are flocking to North Carolina in protest.

Back down in the Grand Strand, life and golf goes on. "I have not seen any appreciable amount of effect at this golf course," said Beachwood proshop assistant Don D'Avanzo.

Jason Fogel, a visiting golfer from Cleveland, Ohio, wasn't even aware that there was tempest brewing up in Columbia, and throughout many areas of the state.

"I thought I had heard something about it one the news, but I wasn't sure what southern state it was in," he said. "It seems like this is always an issue somewhere down south. But in no way is it going to effect my need to get out of Ohio in the winter to play golf."

So while South Carolina may be feeling the backlash of the NAACP mandated boycott of the state in terms of its business conferences and other events, golf remains oblivious to one of the hottest, and perhaps most ridiculous state's rights controversies of the past decade.