Looking Back: The First Half of 2024 in The Golf Capital of the World
By David Williams
It’s hard to believe it’s already July! It seems like just yesterday we were dragging our groggy selves back to the office after the Christmas/New Year’s break. This year has already been a wild one in our world of Myrtle Beach golf, and we wanted to run through a few key moments from 2024 in case you missed it.
The Q at Myrtle Beach. We launched a one-of-a-kind play-in event for our sponsors’ invite to the Myrtle Beach Classic, featuring eight YouTubers and eight up-and-coming professionals – all vying for one spot in a PGA TOUR event. If you haven’t yet seen it, you can watch it here. If you don’t have time, I’ll give you a brief rundown:
It was a back-and-forth battle on the back nine at TPC Myrtle Beach between Jay Card III, George Bryan, Tyler Watts, and Matt Atkins. It eventually came down to a playoff between Atkins and Bryan, two guys very familiar with each other’s game. Atkins would go on to win in a playoff, but I’ll encourage you all to check out the video to see how he got there.
The Myrtle Beach Classic. History was made in May as the PGA TOUR made its way to the Grand Strand for the first time ever. A full field took on The Dunes Golf & Beach Club for four straight days … and what a four days it was! Record crowds, beautiful weather, savory food and drink, and high-level golf made the week unforgettable. More than 40,000 people attended the event from Wednesday through Sunday. Chris Gotterup went on to win the inaugural Classic, but he isn’t the only Myrtle Beach TOUR participant making waves. Harry Higgs went back-to-back on the Korn Ferry Tour, Davis Riley won the Charles Schwab Challenge, Davis Thompson contended in the U.S. Open and last week at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, and Robert MacIntyre won the RBC Canadian Open.
What was the point of mentioning all that? Though it was an opposite field event, the Myrtle Beach Classic let fans get up close and personal with names who will be on TOUR for years to come.
Golf Course Improvement Projects. A common theme over the past four years has been the Myrtle Beach golf industry’s commitment to improving its product at courses up and down the Grand Strand, and 2024 is no different. Some of the completed and ongoing projects being conducted around the area include:
Prestwick Country Club – Prestwick continued with its bulkhead work around the golf course, this time focusing on holes 4 and 5, and is also making improvements throughout the clubhouse.
King’s North – This Arnold Palmer design recently began a two-year renovation starting on its front nine. The focus of this four-month job will be its greens, bunkers, and green surrounds. King’s North expects to reopen this October, with phase two (back nine) taking place in summer 2025.
Thistle Golf Club – Thistle plans on redoing all 27 greens throughout the facility. It began work on Thistle’s Cameron nine on June 3, and this North Strand design is also redoing bridges and making upgrades to all of its hospitality. More to come on this at a later date!
Legends Group – Heritage Club and its three sister courses at Legends Golf & Resort have now all received brand-new cart paths. Work on Oyster Bay began at the beginning of June.
Shaftesbury Glen – Shaftesbury Glen began work on all tee boxes and bunkers, bringing improved playability to the golf course.
Brunswick Golf Club – Brunswick completed its 27-hole bunker renovation plan in early spring 2024 that included new drainage, shaping, new sand, and removal of several unnecessary traps.
Sea Trail Golf Club – The Willard Byrd course at Sea Trail has closed for a multi-million-dollar renovation and revitalization spearheaded by renowned golf course architect Tim Cate. They’re also working the clubhouse, restaurants, and more. Stayed tuned for a lot more coming from there.
PineHills Course at Myrtlewood – The PineHills Course redid every bunker and lined them with capillary concrete. They look great!
Rivers Edge Golf Club – Along with making changes to the golf course Rivers Edge unveiled its new restaurant, the “Double Eagle Grill.” This restaurant is a modern take on the golf course grill scene.
It’s a pretty exciting time to be involved in golf here in Myrtle Beach. Only way to continue going from here is up! As always, if you’re looking to start planning that next golf trip head to www.PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com/golf-packages and make that dream a reality!
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