Boosts Tourism and Local Growth
Myrtle Beach, SC – The second annual ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic, Myrtle Beach’s premier PGA TOUR event, has once again exceeded expectations, generating a remarkable $15.8 million in economic impact for the Grand Strand region. Known as “The Golf Capital of the World,” Myrtle Beach continues to benefit from the tournament’s growing popularity and national exposure.
Despite weather challenges and a slight dip in attendance to 36,000 over four days, the event saw a 6% increase in out-of-town visitors, significantly contributing to the local economy. Economic impact calculations were based on the Destinations International (DI) standard, which excludes local attendees.
“Year two of the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic has exceeded our expectations in every possible way,” said Darren Nelson, Tournament Director. “Infusing $31.2 million into the Grand Strand economy over the past two years is incredibly rewarding.”
📊 Key Performance Highlights:
- $15.8 million in economic impact (Visit Myrtle Beach via DI calculator)
- 58% of attendees traveled from across the U.S. and 12 countries (Zartico)
- 3.53 million viewers across 73 countries via GOLF Channel and media partners
- 23.7 billion earned media impressions (NBCUniversal, CBS, ESPN)
- 31 million social media impressions (up from 20 million in 2024)
- $225,000 donated to 9 local charities
- $400,000+ in merchandise sales and $700,000+ in food & beverage
- 9,600+ lodging room nights booked across the Grand Strand
- 285,600+ rounds of golf played in May 2025 – an all-time record
- 541,000+ views and 273,000 hours of watch time on “The Q at Myrtle Beach” YouTube series
The tournament, held May 8–11, 2025, at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club, welcomed 132 players, their caddies, 1,300 volunteers, and dozens of officials, staff, and media members. The event continues to elevate Myrtle Beach’s profile as a global golf destination.
“This remarkable PGA TOUR event continues to position The Beach as a premier travel destination for golf enthusiasts across the world,” said Stuart Butler, President of Visit Myrtle Beach.
Next year’s tournament is scheduled for May 7–10, 2026, once again over Mother’s Day weekend. Tickets will go on sale this winter, and volunteer registration will open in early 2026.
For more information, visit the event, visit ONEflightMyrtleBeachClassic.com.
About the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic
The ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic, a dual-field PGA TOUR event hosting 120 players, will be played May 7-10, 2026, at Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, S.C., commonly known as the “Golf Capital of the World.” Updated information on the 2026 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.
Fans can follow the PGA TOUR on the new PGA TOUR app and PGATOUR.COM, and on social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram (in Spanish, Korean and Japanese), LinkedIn, TikTok, X (in English and Spanish), WhatsApp (in English and Spanish), WeChat, Weibo, Toutiao, Douyin and LINE.
About ONEflight International
ONEflight International is a global private aviation company revolutionizing the luxury private jet travel industry since the company’s founding in 2010. It is the fastest growing market leader developing and implementing technological solutions for non-commercial air travel through BAJit, its proprietary online Book a Jet platform. With over 700 world-class selected aircraft charter operator partnerships and a network of 7,000 private jets worldwide, ONEflight empowers members to seamlessly search, select and book a private flight with a fleet of aircraft at their disposal and excellent customer service from booking to disembarking. Visit www.ONEflight.net for more information.
ONEflight firmly believes you don’t need to OWN; you just need to FLY.
For media inquiries, please contact: Dave Rajyagor – VP Strategic Initiatives, DaveRajyagor@oneflight.net, 720.575.4303
About Visit Myrtle Beach
Visit Myrtle Beach is the destination marketing arm of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau, which serves 14 communities that stretch 60 miles along the northeast coast of South Carolina, including Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Loris, Atlantic Beach, Carolina Forest, Conway, Aynor, Socastee, Surfside Beach, Garden City Beach, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach, and Pawleys Island. For more information, go to VisitMyrtleBeach.com.
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.
