Record-breaking turnout at Myrtle Beach Classic sets high expectations for next year
(WPDE) — Sunday was the final round of the Myrtle Beach Classic.
Sunday was the final round of the Myrtle Beach Classic. (Credit: Jenna Herazo/WPDE)
Thousands of fans got to enjoy the four-day long tournament.
While there weren’t as many fans in attendance compared to Saturday, there were still plenty of golf fanatics watching the final round of the tournament.
Dennis Nicholl is the Director of Golf for Dunes Golf and Beach Club.
He said there were more than 15,000 fans in attendance Saturday, which broke records for a first-year PGA TOUR event.
More than 100 golfers competed in the Grand Strand’s first-ever PGA tournament, but only one will be the first Myrtle Beach Classic champion.
“We’re going to crown a champion today,” Nicholl said.
Sunday was the final round of the Myrtle Beach Classic. (Credit: Jenna Herazo/WPDE)
He said for a first-year event, it’s been beyond anybody’s wildest dreams.
“We have golf-savvy people here, we knew they were going to show up in waves, and when they got here and walked through that gate, I think they thought we were going to be about here with the opposite event in the first year. And I think we delivered this, right? I mean, it wasn’t just a little bit more, it was a lot more. So, I think all in all, everybody, we over-delivered on the expectation level and that’s kind of a good model to have. And now the question is what do we do next year right? I mean how much bigger can this get?” Nicholl said.
There were a lot of moving parts behind the scenes, Nicholl said, adding that there were more than 1,300 volunteers.
But he said what has really been impressive is that there’s been more than $600,000 in merchandise sales alone this week.
Sunday was the final round of the Myrtle Beach Classic. (Credit: Jenna Herazo/WPDE)
“We’ve run out of hats. There’s not a hat left in Myrtle Beach; I promise you. So, it’s been off the charts,” Nicholl said.
And it’s not just tournament directors who’ve noticed the positive economic impact the event has brought to the area.
“Yeah, I think it’s great for the game. Obviously, it’s nice that the PGA is expanding, not only like in the Southeast, but even bringing in Myrtle Beach, I think it’s good to bring more tourists down. Even, I mean, Myrtle Beach is the golf capital of the United States. I think the more people they bring down, it’s good for the economy and good for local businesses around the area,” Murrells Inlet resident Liam said.
Nicholls said as for what’s next, they’re already looking ahead to next year.
Sunday was the final round of the Myrtle Beach Classic. (Credit: Jenna Herazo/WPDE)
He said it will be hard to beat the success of this year’s inaugural tournament, but they’re already talking about adding more merchandise, vendors, sponsors, and cool venues.
The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce said they will conduct a post-tournament economic study to see how much money the tournament brought to our area.
