PGA Tour’s economic impact illustrate golf remains big business in South Carolina

The sport of golf translates into the business of golf in South Carolina, a fact emphasized by the demand for tee times around the state and especially at the resort courses along the Atlantic coast.

A 2022 report from the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism showed golf funneled $3.3 billion into the state’s economy annually.

Now, the economic impact reports from the state’s two 2024 PGA Tour tournaments, the RBC Heritage presented by Boeing on Hilton Head Island and the Myrtle Beach Classic, illustrate that nothing has changed.

The Heritage, which dates to 1969, produced an economic impact of $134.9 million, according to a survey conducted by Clemson University’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management.

The Myrtle Beach event, in its first year, provided $15.4 million to the economy, based on Destinations International calculations.

The difference in impact is obviously substantial and can be traced to the Heritage’s longevity — almost 60 years at the same site — and its “signature event” status that assures the Tour’s top golfers will be competing.

The Myrtle Beach tournament, on the other hand, began from scratch, getting its start in the “opposite field” category and drawing golfers who did not qualify for the signature event played the same dates in Charlotte.

Even so, the Myrtle Beach tourney “has exceeded our expectations in every possible way,” tournament director Darren Nelson said in a press release.

This year’s study is the sixth in the past 25 years for the Heritage, and statistics show the growth has zoomed from $44.6 million in 1999 to the $134.9 million produced in April. The 2024 total is, after adjusting for inflation, an 11% increase over 2019.

Tournament director Steve Wilmot and his staff emphasize creating an experience to remember at the Heritage, and the numbers illustrate their success, said Bob Brookover of Clemson’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management.

Researchers measured the Heritage’s economic impact in four ways, using web-based data from more than 4,000 fans who attended the tournament along with information from the Heritage Classic Foundation and several sponsors:

▪ Direct spending estimate: $106.6 million;

▪ Jobs created: 1,611;

▪ Net state and local government revenues: $8 million;

▪ Total output: $134.9 million.

The Myrtle Beach survey showed that 52% of the estimated 40,000 fans visited the Grand Strand from across the United States and 12 countries.

The 2025 Heritage will again be a signature event that will be played the week following the Masters in April and defending champion Scottie Scheffler will headline the field. The 2025 Myrtle Beach Classic again will be played over Mother’s Day weekend in May.

Chip shots . USC All-Americans Hannah Darling and Louise Rydqvist are among 25 players named to the 2024-25 Fall Annika Award Watch List, the Haskins Foundation announced. Created in 2014, the Annika Award presented by Stifel is annually given to the top female Division 1 collegiate golfer in voting by players, coaches and members of the college golf media. ... Jessica Edwards (Spartanburg/USC Beaufort) won the open amateur title and Jordan Britt (Ridgeland) led the open professional division in the South Carolina Women’s Open at Cobblestone Park GC. In the senior competition, Pam Prescott (Piedmont) edged Lea Venables (Simpsonville) among the amateurs and Yvonne Cox-Holmes (Cumming, Georgia) earned the pro title.

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