A total of $225,000 was awarded to nine Myrtle Beach charities
Myrtle Beach, S.C. (Sept. 9, 2024) – Chris Gotterup accepted the winner’s trophy at the inaugural Myrtle Beach Classic, but he wasn’t the only winner at the area’s first-ever PGA TOUR event. The tournament was a big hit, drawing more than 40,000 spectators during a week of ideal weather that helped showcase the Dunes Golf and Beach Club. In addition, nine local charities shared $225,000, with seven of those receiving at least $26,750.
The Boys and Girls Club of Myrtle Beach received the most funding, with $50,000 for its after-school summer program. “The money really made a difference for us,” said Mark Lazarus, co-chair of the program’s board of directors. “We don’t have a steady income stream, so we have to depend on grants. We’ve helped about 170 kids with this money, offering programs from computer learning and basic education skills to recreation.”
“This was a game-changer for us,” said Becky Large, executive director of Champion Autism Network, a program that helps to create judgment-free experiences for people living with autism and one of the six local charities that received $26,750 each. “We support more than 900 families in Horry and Georgetown counties who have someone on the autism spectrum. We used these funds to create awareness and serve even more people.”
Other charities receiving the same amount were the Children’s Recovery Center, Classy Smiles, Helping Hand of Myrtle Beach, Project Golf, and SOS Care. Help 4 Kids received $10,000, while Blue Star Mothers of Coastal Carolina received $4,500. All of the benefitting charities have 501c3 status, meaning they are non-profit, tax-exempt groups with a dedicated mission.
Tournament Director Darren Nelson also announced that the same nine local charities will again be beneficiaries of the tournament in 2025.
“These selected charities are all doing impactful and meaningful work, and we are proud to provide assistance to further promote these programs that are making such a huge difference on the Grand Strand,” said Nelson. “The PGA TOUR has a time-honored tradition of supporting charities and giving back to each community where events are hosted.”
Tournaments under the PGA TOUR umbrella donate a portion of the net proceeds each year to support local philanthropic organizations, totaling close to $4 billion to date, which is more than all other major sports leagues combined.
The PGA TOUR’S Myrtle Beach Classic will again be played in early May in 2025 with the competition dates set for May 8-11 at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club.
The Myrtle Beach Classic is sponsored by Visit Myrtle Beach, the region’s official destination management organization, and managed by SPORTFIVE, a global event management company. The local event will again be one of two stops in the Palmetto State for the PGA TOUR in 2025, joining with the RBC Heritage in April at Harbour Town Golf Links.
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About Myrtle Beach Classic
The Myrtle Beach Classic, a dual-field PGA TOUR event hosting 132 players, will be played May 8-11, 2025, at Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, S.C., commonly known as the “Golf Capital of the World.” Updated information on the 2025 event can be found at myrtlebeachclassic.com.
About PGA TOUR
By showcasing golf’s greatest players, the PGA TOUR engages, inspires and positively impacts our fans, partners and communities worldwide.
The PGA TOUR, headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, co-sanctions tournaments on the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, Korn Ferry Tour, PGA TOUR Americas and administers PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry and PGA TOUR University. TOUR members represent the world’s best players, hailing from 28 countries and territories. Showcasing the biggest moments in the sport with history and legacy on the line, the PGA TOUR has long-term domestic distribution partnerships for broadcast coverage on CBS, NBC and Golf Channel and video streaming service on ESPN+. Internationally, PGA TOUR coverage is available across 200+ countries and territories in 28 languages via 44 broadcast and digital partners. Virtually all tournaments are organized as non-profit organizations to maximize charitable giving, and to date, tournaments across all Tours have generated almost $4 billion.
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About SPORTFIVE
SPORTFIVE is a global sports marketing agency that delivers customer-centric solutions based on trust and transparency, deep industry experience and global relationships, digital intelligence, and innovation. SPORTFIVE strategically and creatively connects brands, rightsholders, media platforms and fans to create and enable contemporary partnerships in sports.
While creating and growing long-term value for all, SPORTFIVE often leads the sports business into the future through innovative digital solutions and strives to be the most progressive and respected partner in sports.
Being at the center of professional sports, SPORTFIVE will use its unique position to make a positive contribution to sustainability and to live up to the social and economic duty and responsibility, which sport and consequently all parties involved, also have. SPORTFIVE operates with a global mindset and network of over 1,200 local experts based in 15 countries around the world, active in soccer, golf, Esports, motorsport, handball, tennis, football, basketball, ice hockey, rugby, Olympics, multi-sport events, and many more.