Chris Gotterup this past spring 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 that helped showcase the Dunes Golf and Beach Club. In addition, nine local charities shared $225,000, with seven receiving at least $26,750.
The Boys and Girls Club of Myrtle Beach received the most funding, with $50,000 for its afterschool and summer programs.
“The money 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 must 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. This program helps create judgment-free experiences for people with autism and is 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. Each benefitting charity has 501c3 status, meaning it is a non-profit, tax-exempt group with a dedicated mission.
The same nine local charities will again benefit from the tournament in 2025.
“These selected charities are all doing impactful and meaningful work, and we are proud to assist 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.”
The PGA Tour’s Myrtle Beach Classic will be played May 8-11 at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club. The event is sponsored by Visit Myrtle Beach, the region’s official destination management organization, and managed by SPORTFIVE, a global event management company. It 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.
