Revered PGA Professional Gene Weldon, Longtime Golf Course Owner Jack Himmelsbach Inducted Into Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame
Jack Himmelsbach, who helped develop five area golf courses, and Gene Weldon, a revered PGA professional, were inducted into the Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame Thursday evening at Pine Lakes Country Club.
Himmelsbach has been one of the Grand Strand’s most influential leaders for more than four decades as the managing partner of The Glens Golf Group, where he helped design and build Heather Glen Golf Links, Glen Dornoch Waterway Golf Links and Shaftesbury Glen Golf & Fish Club; and Himmelsbach Communications, publisher of On The Green Magazine.
He was also a partner in the development of Wicked Stick Golf Links and Rivers Edge Golf Club.
Himmelsbach’s influence was felt throughout the community as he served as the President & Treasurer of YMCA of Coastal Carolina for 15 years, President of the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association and Board Member for Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, with additional service to the Rotary Club of North Myrtle Beach, St. Andrew Catholic Church, and Grand Strand Tee Time Network.
A lifetime member of the PGA of America with nearly 50 years as a PGA Professional, Weldon, who was inducted posthumously, was a longtime mentor to fellow PGA Professionals as well as countless individuals who made golf a primary focus in their life.
Weldon’s life was driven by helping kids, where he proudly made his most profound impact in service to others. He helped grow the game by developing junior golf programs throughout the Myrtle Beach area, working hand in hand with fellow Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame inductee Carolyn Cudone to form a junior golf program in her name.
He was also instrumental in raising several hundred thousand dollars to help fund the Cinghiale Creek Learning Center for The First Tee of Coastal Carolinas, whose programs and Nine Core Values use golf as a tool for teaching life learning skills to area children.
Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame Inductee Kelly Tilghman was one of many lifelong beneficiaries of Weldon’s mentorship and friendship. Upon his passing in 2017, Tilghman joined the Weldon Family in establishing the Gene’s Dream Foundation – to raise critical funds for The First Tee and other junior golf initiatives to carry forth Gene’s legacy of caring for local children with golf as a focal point in youth development.
Weldon and Himmelsbach were part of the 13th class of inductees into the Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame.
Other members of the Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame include Dustin Johnson, Hootie & the Blowfish, Robert White, Jimmy D’Angelo, Carolyn Cassidy Cudone, Clay Brittain, Cecil Brandon, General James “Jim” Hackler, Jr., George “Buster” Bryan, Ed Bullock, Gary Schaal, Paul Himmelsbach, Charles Byers, Lawrence Leagans, J. Egerton Burroughs, J. Bryan Floyd, Casper Leon Benton, Edward Jerdon, George Hilliard, Russell “Doc” Burgess, Critt Gore, Sandy Miles, Phillips Goings, Kelly Tilghman, Robert LeComte, Vernon Brake, Edward Burroughs, Arthur Herbert “Doc” Lachicotte Jr., Mickey McCamish and Larry Young.
Established to pay tribute to the men and women who have played significant roles in the development of the Myrtle Beach area golf industry, the Hall of Fame opened in 2009. Plaques for hall of fame inductees are located in a courtyard at Pine Lakes Country Club, the Myrtle Beach area’s first course.
For more information about Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame, visit www.themyrtlebeachgolfhalloffame.com.
