4 million rounds of golf are played on Myrtle Beach area courses each year.

A new report shows that the number of people playing golf nationwide is flat or declining. That would be bad news for the Grand Strand. But local golf industry leaders remain optimistic about the future of the game.
A recent New York Times article quotes statistics that show the number of people playing golf nationwide has declined since 2000.
But the president of the Myrtle Beach Golf Course Owners Association isn't as concerned. He says he's seen numbers that show the number of golfers nationwide has actually gone up about 2 percent over the past five years and Myrtle Beach is in a good position to take advantage of that.
"We've held our own here, as well as anybody across the country," said George Hilliard of the MB Golf Course Owners Association.
Hilliard says we may see more Grand Strand golf courses go out of business, but that's mostly due to changes in property values.
Both men say the future is bright for golf in Myrtle Beach, but one key will be attracting young people to the game.
"We have our summer family golf tournaments," McCamish said. "We know that people are here during the summer months, primarily for the beach, but we ask them, don't forget your golf clubs."
McCamish says there should also be a greater focus on the importance of exercise, getting kids off the couch and onto the course.
About 4 million rounds of golf are played on Myrtle Beach area courses each year.