Kelly Tilghman, Edward Burroughs Enshrined in Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame

Established to pay tribute to the men and women who have played significant roles in the development of the Myrtle Beach area golf industry, the Hall of Fame was founded in 2009. 

“Edward Burroughs and Kelly Tilghman are two of the most prominent personalities in Myrtle Beach golf history,” said Bill Golden, Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday’s president. “While both have contributed to the area in different ways, they were and are among the titans in their chosen fields.”

Burroughs hails from one of the most significant families in Myrtle Beach’s history, and his unerring vision and leadership were instrumental to the area’s growth throughout the 20th century. Burroughs was the guiding force behind decisions that led to the donation of land that is now Myrtle Beach State Park, helped found Coastal Carolina University, and was vital to the development of Highway 17 Bypass. 

This Grand Strand giant was also essential to Myrtle Beach’s emergence as an international golf destination. He sold land to the Dunes Club, allowing for the construction of most iconic layout among Myrtle Beach golf courses, but he is most renowned for his development of Myrtlewood Golf Club. 

The area’s first 36-hole golf course, Myrtlewood was located in the middle of town and helped jump start Myrtle Beach’s transformation from sleepy beach community to acclaimed golf destination.

One of the most decorated junior golfers in Grand Strand history, the game has been a vital part of Tilghman’s life. She lived on the third hole at the Surf Club, one of Myrtle Beach golf’s most venerable layouts, and her family owned Gator Hole Golf Club, where Tilghman worked every job imaginable and honed a game that earned her a scholarship to Duke University. 

Upon graduation from Duke, she played professionally across the globe for four years before retiring to take a position with the then upstart Golf Channel. Tilghman’s stature grew along with the network’s, and she went on to become the first full-time female play-by-play broadcaster in American sports history when she led PGA Tour coverage on Golf Channel. 

Her play-by-play work eventually extended to NBC’s coverage of the 2012 London Olympics, but Tilghman has carved out a hall of fame career – in Myrtle Beach and beyond – as a result of her work in golf. 

While her star rose nationally, Tilghman continued to maintain ties to the Grand Strand. Over the years, she has returned to the area on numerous occasions, along with Golf Channel’s cameras, to highlight the work of the Myrtle Beach Chapter of the First Tee

For more information about Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame, visit www.themyrtlebeachgolfhalloffame.com.