TPC Joins King’s North at Myrtle Beach National, Arrowhead, Tradition and Wild Wing As Grand Strand Courses Honored With State Award

November 21, 2005, Murrells Inlet, S.C. – TPC of Myrtle Beach was selected as the "2005 South Carolina Golf Course of the Year" by the South Carolina Area Golf Course Owners Association (SCAGCOA). In a November 17th presentation at the Myrtle Beach Golf Course Owners Association Board Meeting, Terry Sedalik, executive director of the South Carolina Golf Course Owners Association, and David "Rock" Lucas, chapter president of the South Carolina Golf Course Owners Association, presented the award to Rick Shoemaker, TPC of Myrtle Beach’s general manager and director of golf.

The South Carolina Board of Directors selected TPC based on criteria established by the National and State Golf Course Owners Association. These criteria included exceptional quality of the course, exceptional quality of the management, outstanding contribution to the community and significant contribution to the game of golf.

"We are honored to have been chosen as South Carolina’s Golf Course of the Year," said Shoemaker. "Winning this award is a tribute to our staff’s commitment, work ethic and sincerity to deliver a PGA TOUR experience to our guests."

TPC is the fifth Grand Strand golf course to win since the state award was implemented in 1996. King’s North at Myrtle Beach National captured the inaugural honor in 1996. Arrowhead Country Club was named in 1998. Tradition Golf Club was selected in 2000. In 2002, Wild Wing was honored as the South Carolina Golf Course of the Year.

To be considered for the "South Carolina of the Year" award, a golf course must first win its regional Golf Course Owners Association title and then submit a presentation to the SCGOA Board. All five Grand Strand courses that captured the state honor were first chosen as "Myrtle Beach Golf Course of the Year" before winning on the state level.

After winning the "2005 Myrtle Beach Golf Course of the Year" award in July, TPC of Myrtle Beach advanced to the state level and competed against golf courses from the Upstate, Midlands, Charleston and Hilton Head regions. TPC also earned a spot in the National Golf Course of the Year competition where it went up against 18 courses from across the country. Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach, California, was selected as the "2005 National Golf Course of the Year."

"The South Carolina Golf Course Owners Association is honored to name TPC of Myrtle Beach as the 2005 South Carolina Golf Course of the Year," said Lucas. "TPC is an excellent representative of the quality of golf here in South Carolina. TPC faced strong competition from the South Carolina nominees but their heavy involvement in the Grand Strand community in addition to their contribution to the golf industry set them apart from the other courses."

TPC’s presentation to the SCGCOA showcased the course’s community involvement. In the past year, TPC has:

Served as the home course for St. James High School boys golf team, hosting all home matches and site for all practices for the last couple of years;

Hosted a Toys for Tots fundraiser before the holiday season;

Helped the American Red Cross raise money for the Tsunami Relief Efforts;

Hosted the Waccamaw High School Golf Scholarship Tournament with the proceeds benefiting the Warrior golf and scholarship program;

Sponsored a free youth golf clinic by Honorary Lifetime PGA Member Dennis Walters;

Hosted South Strand Helping Hand Golf Tournament;

Served as the Grand Strand site for Women’s Golf Week with free golf lessons and reduced greens fees for women;

Hosted the Coastal Carolina General Jim Hackler Collegiate Invitational;

TPC of Myrtle Beach hosted the "America Supports You" golf tournament, a national Department of Defense program to support the Armed Forces at home and abroad;

Become only the second Grand Strand golf course designated as a Certified Audubon Sanctuary by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System;

Received the Customer Loyalty Awards presented by the National Golf Foundation at the 2005 PGA Merchandise Show.

About the TPC of Myrtle Beach

Since opening in February of 1999, the Tournament Player’s Club of Myrtle Beach has earned a reputation as one of the most scenic and outstanding courses in the area. The TPC design features a surprising amount of elevation changes and dense forests. The course features Bentgrass greens and Bermuda fairways which are speckled with several bunkers and five sets of tees which pose challenges for players of all skill levels.

TPC of Myrtle Beach was recently selected as the "2005 South Carolina Golf Course of the Year" by the South Carolina Golf Course Owners Association and was also selected as a finalist at the national level. TPC was selected by Golf Digest as one of "Myrtle Beach’s Top 50 Golf Courses." In 2004, Golfweek named TPC as one of its "Top 10 South Carolina Public Golf Courses" and in December of 2004, TPC become only the second Grand Strand golf course, and the 13th South Carolina golf course, to be designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. In 1999, TPC was recognized by both GOLF Magazine and Golf Digest as one of the "Top 10 best upscale public Golf Courses" in America.

The TPC golf course, clubhouse, golf shop and practice facility are all open to the public. The TPC Golf Shop was named to GolfWorld Business’ list of "Top 100 Golf Shops in America" in 2004, 2002 and 2001. The TPC Grille was named as Myrtle Beach’s "2003 Golf Course Restaurant of the Year" by Myrtle Beach Golf Magazine. Each TPC employee is required to complete "Service and Excellence" training that centers around excellence in customer service and professionalism. The dedication to customer service earned TPC the Customer Loyalty and Satisfaction (CLASP) Award from the National Golf Foundation in 2004. For information or starting times, call TPC of Myrtle Beach at (843) 357-3399 or visit www.tpc-mb.com.

Contact:
Cheryl Harden or Erin Barrett

Brandon Advertising

(843) 916-2000