Area Golf News

Myrtle Beach Area To Host International Association Of Golf Tour Operators, May 3-7, 2008

May 1, 2008, Myrtle Beach, S.C. – Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Coastal South Carolina, USA, a destination marketing organization with a primary mission on positively impacting its region through increased international visitation, will host members of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for their 2008 Mid-Year Convention, May 3-7, 2008.

Fifty-six IAGTO members from 17 countries will visit Myrtle Beach for five days stay at The Marina Inn at Grande Dunes, play golf at the top courses in the Myrtle Beach area and dine at well-known area restaurants, in addition to attending their IAGTO meetings. This is the first visit by the members of IAGTO to the Myrtle Beach area, and the 17 countries represented include Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Finland, Germany, India, Ireland, Kenya, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Spain and the United Kingdom.

The global trade organization for the golf tourism industry, IAGTO was established in 1997, and consists of 1,036 accredited golf tour operators, golf resorts, hotels, golf courses, receptive operators, airlines and tourist boards in 72 countries worldwide. IAGTO provides a focus for the golf tourism industry and helps raise and maintain standards throughout the golf travel industry.

“We’re excited to help host this distinguished group of international tour operators during their visit to the Grand Strand,” said Bill Golden, president of Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. “We’ve worked closely with Gary Edwards of Coastal South Carolina, USA and members of our Myrtle Beach community to ensure that the IATO’s first impression of the Myrtle Beach area is one that they’ll always remember and carry back with them to share with their clients. Myrtle Beach is known as the ‘Golf Capital of the World’ and we look forward to hosting more international golfers and guests in the future.”

About Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday
Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday is a non-profit trade association of 77 championship golf courses, 104 golf package providers and five golf schools in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 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 originator of the “Stay and Play Package,” Golf Holiday provides non-biased information about the area accommodations and golf courses to assist golfers in making the most informed decisions when planning for their next vacation. Golf Holiday also hosts seven events and tournaments annually to help grow the game of golf and attract golfers to the Grand Strand during slower times of year. In addition to hosting the Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After The Masters Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament each spring, Golf Holiday also manages the PGA TOUR Superstore World Amateur Handicap Championship – the world's largest on-site golf tournament, the Summer Family Golf Tournaments, the Spring and Fall Palmetto High School Golf Championships, the Veterans Golf Classic and the FDNY 9-11 Memorial Golf Outing. For more information, call Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday at 1-800-833-8798 or visit GolfHoliday.com.