2018 Year in Review: Myrtle Beach Golf’s 3 Biggest Stories

We’ve reached the end of 2018, which means it’s time to look back on the biggest stories to hit the Myrtle Beach golf scene over the past 12 months.

The candidates to make the list were many but we’ve culled it down to present you with the three biggest stories of 2018.

— The appearance by 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus tops our list. The Golden Bear returned to Myrtle Beach to celebrate Pawleys Plantation’s 30th birthday. Pawleys is one of the area’s most scenic tracks, highlighted by six holes that play along a saltmarsh on the back nine, and Nicklaus recalled the course fondly. In addition to the course tour, Nicklaus spent time with members of the First Tee of the Coastal Carolinas, and participated in a Q&A at a dinner in his honor. It was an unforgettable day and a rare treat to have the most accomplished player in golf history visit the area.

— This was the year social media sensation Paige Spiranac joined the Myrtle Beach team. She was a regular presence throughout the year, surprising groups on the course here in Myrtle Beach and traveling outside the market to greet golfers who might be considering a trip to the Grand Strand. Spiranac was a welcome addition to the team and she will certainly be back in 2019, so be on the lookout for one of golf’s biggest social media stars next time you are in town.

— The PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com World Amateur Handicap Championship is always a big story, but with 2018 marking the 35th annual playing of the event, it took on greater significance. More than 3,200 golfers from 49 states and 20+ countries participated in this year’s tournament and they enjoyed ideal weather, great golf and the revelry at the World’s Largest 19th Hole. The World Am is a bucket list event and the 2018 tournament may have been the best one yet.

Honorable Mention: 9 Myrtle Beach courses installed new greens, Golf Channel was in town to cover Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship, Kelly Tilghman, with an assist from David Feherty launched the Mentor Cup.