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Myrtle Beach Named Top Golf Destination Of The Year
12/07/2008

The International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) announced that Coastal South Carolina was selected as the “2009 Established Golf Destination of the Year – North America” during the organization’s annual conference which was held in Marbella, Spain in November. Comprised of the Myrtle Beach, Charleston and Hilton Head areas of the Palmetto State, the Coastal South Carolina region was chosen by IAGTO industry members based on criteria such as customer satisfaction, quality of golf courses and accommodations, value for money, accessibility of tee times, speed of communication and the quality of service of the golf resort sales, marketing, administration, reservation, and management staff.

 
“We’re excited to have been honored by this distinguished group of international tour operators who represent 74 countries,” said Bill Golden, president of Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. “Thanks to the leadership efforts of Gary Edwards from Coastal South Carolina, USA, our international marketing agency, we validated our statement that South Carolina is a great choice for golf. With more than 100 golf courses and the reputation as the ‘Golf Capital of the World,’ Myrtle Beach is the largest of the three Coastal South Carolina USA golf destinations and we look forward to hosting more international golfers in the future.”
 
“We congratulate Coastal South Carolina for capturing the “2009 Established Golf Destination of The Year – North America” award,” said Peter Walton, Chief Executive Officer of the London-based IAGTO. “The combination of Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head Island, and Charleston make a very compelling story, whether told individually or collectively. In fact, each of the Coastal South Carolina regions fared very well in their own right with the voting process.”
 
Fifty-six IAGTO members from 17 countries visited Myrtle Beach earlier in May as part of a tour of coastal South Carolina. The members played golf at many of the “Top 100” courses in the Myrtle Beach area and dined at well-known area restaurants, in addition to attending their IAGTO meetings.
 
About IAGTO
IAGTO is the global trade organization for the golf tourism industry, comprising more than 1,130 companies in 74 countries, including over 330 specialist golf tour operators in 46 countries. Established in 1997, IAGTO operators control more than 80 percent of golf vacation packages sold worldwide (outside of Asia) and with a $1 billion turnover in 2007.
 
About Coastal South Carolina, USA
Coastal South Carolina USA is an international destination marketing organization for Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Hilton Head Island. Its membership consists of Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Charleston Golf Inc, Charleston County Aviation Authority, Hilton Head Island Visitor & Convention Bureau and the Lowcountry Golf Course Owners and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.
 
About Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday
Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday is a non-profit trade association of 78 championship golf courses, 115 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.


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