Myrtle Beach SC Golf Courses and Golf Vacations

Award-Winning MBN.com Provides Golfers With Ability to Research, Price and Book Tee Times at All Myrtle Beach Area Golf Courses

September 20, 2007, Myrtle Beach, S.C. – Myrtle Beach National recently launched the redesigned Myrtle Beach Golf Web site, MBN.com, to give golfers the convenience of one-stop information gathering and a booking engine for all Grand Strand area courses and accommodations.

MBN.com is one of the few golf destination sites that provides golfers with the ability to communicate directly with knowledgeable golf planners and instantly receive information and suggestions about Grand Strand area golf, accommodations and golf packages. The site’s Live Chat feature is available seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

By visiting the site, golfers can review video and photo galleries of all area courses, check out seasonal golf specials, book golf and lodging, coordinate group itineraries, correspond with friends on message boards, read golf blogs and interact with golfers who play in the Myrtle Beach area on the “Golf Buddies” page. MBN.com also offers driving directions to all courses, flight and rental car information, contests, area golf event and tournament information, golf instruction and news updates.

One of the most active Web sites in golf destination travel with more than 80,000 user sessions per month, Myrtle Beach National experienced an increase of 85 percent in online bookings during the first eight months of 2007 as compared to the same time period in 2006.

The launching of MBN.com comes on the heels of the site receiving the prestigious Standard of Excellence Web award in the 2007 WebAwards competition. Sponsored by the Web Marketing Association – a national association of Internet marketing professionals, Myrtle Beach National was honored for outstanding achievement in interactive marketing and web development.

Founded by the Web Marketing Association in 1997, the WebAward is the standards-defining competition that recognizes outstanding corporate Web sites with winners being determined by a professional judging panel that compares competitor sites within their industry. MBN.com was selected based on seven different standards, including design, innovation, content, technology, interactivity, navigation and ease of use. Judges were also instructed to closely examine a company's mission statement and prospective audience when determining winners. More than 2,400 Web sites from 40 countries were reviewed during this year's WebAward competition.

“MBN.com streamlines the golf vacation planning process with concise information and photographs of all Myrtle Beach golf courses along with a booking engine that enables golfers to search, shop and book tee times online in real time,” said Jim Woodring, Myrtle Beach National’s vice president of golf operations. “According to a 2006 Golf Datatech study, 89 percent of golfers are now using the Internet to plan and book their golf vacations and we took that into consideration when redesigning our site. We had an award-winning site that experienced a record number of unique visits in 2007 and enhanced it further by making it even easier to navigate with more of the information that golfers wanted when surfing the Internet.”

About The Myrtle Beach National Company
The Myrtle Beach National Company has evolved into one of the leading golf course ownership and management operations in the Southeast, featuring many of the most well-respected signature courses along the Grand Strand. The company formed in 1971 with the construction of the Arnold Palmer-designed original 54-hole golf complex, which includes the West Course, Southcreek (both designed by Francis Duane and Arnold Palmer) and King’s North, also an Arnold Palmer design that has achieved national notoriety. Myrtle Beach National has grown to include the Robert Trent Jones designed Waterway Hills, Jack Nicklaus’ Long Bay, Tom Jackson’s River Club and Aberdeen Country Club, Dan Maple’s Willbrook Plantation and Willard Byrd’s Litchfield Country Club, all premier Myrtle Beach area signature courses. Myrtle Beach National has hosted tournaments for men, women, senior or junior golfers for more than 35 years to help grow the game of golf. Every November, Myrtle Beach National-sponsored George Holliday Memorial Tournament, recently named one of the top-ranked junior tournaments by the Heritage Classic Foundation, draws more than 500 prep golfers to the Grand Strand. During the spring, Myrtle Beach National welcomes more than 500 junior golfers to the area during Easter weekend for the Myrtle Beach Junior Golf Tournament. In the fall, Myrtle Beach National welcomes women golfers and couples to the Grand Strand for The Carolina Couples Classic and Just Girls Weekend. For more information, visit MBN.com or call 1-800-882-2614.

The Myrtle Beach National Company announced that Willbrook Plantation Golf Club was rated 31st in Golf for Women’s ranking of the “50 Best Courses for Women” just published in the July/August issue. This is the ninth consecutive year Willbrook Plantation has been honored by Golf for Women. Willbrook joins Kiawah Island’s Osprey Point as the only South Carolina courses named to this prestigious list of America’s golf courses, and is one of only four from North or South Carolina to be recognized.

With the help of 100 female course-raters across the United States, Golf for Women annually rates the top 50 public and resort courses with women in mind. The golf courses were ranked in this poll according to course playability, design variety, course memorability, aesthetics, practice facilities, conditioning, ambience, woman-friendliness, tee-box options, pro shop selection and strong women’s educational programs.

“We are thrilled to be recognized as one of Golf for Women’s ‘Best Courses in America for Women,’” said Jim Woodring, vice president of golf operations for The Myrtle Beach National Company. “Our staff provides exceptional service to all of our guests and goes the extra mile to ensure that each golfer enjoys a quality golf experience during their visit, whether female or male.”

During the summer of 2006, Willbrook completed a renovation project that saw the size of all greens enlarged by 15% with ChampionsBermuda grass planted, reshaped the bunkers to their original size and performed extensive landscaping to enhance golfers’ experience at the course..

A beautiful 18-hole layout situated on the site of two 19th century plantations twenty minutes south of Myrtle Beach in the historic Litchfield-Pawleys Island area, Willbrook Plantation Golf Club is a course that noted architect Dan Maples has often called “One of my best.” Carved from the site of two Carolina plantations, Willbrook winds its way amid a centuries-old oak forest where nature abounds. Golf Digest rated Willbrook at 4½ stars in their 2007-2008 “Places to Play” Guide. The course was featured on the award-winning television show "Nature Scene" for its peaceful coexistence of golf and nature..

One of nine courses owned and operated by The Myrtle Beach National Company, Willbrook is home to the Direct Approach Golf School which features personal instruction and the latest in computer swing analysis from a staff of LPGA and PGA professionals with more than 50 years of combined experience. For more information, visit www.MBN.com.

About The Myrtle Beach National Company
The Myrtle Beach National Company has evolved into one of the leading golf course ownership and management operations in the Southeast, featuring many of the most well-respected signature courses along the Grand Strand. The company formed in 1971 with the construction of the Arnold Palmer-designed original 54-hole golf complex, which includes the West Course, Southcreek (both designed by Francis Duane and Arnold Palmer) and King’s North, also an Arnold Palmer design that has achieved national notoriety. Myrtle Beach National has grown to include the Robert Trent Jones designed Waterway Hills, Jack Nicklaus’ Long Bay, Tom Jackson’s River Club and Aberdeen Country Club, Dan Maple’s Willbrook Plantation and Willard Byrd’s Litchfield Country Club, all premier Myrtle Beach area signature courses.

Myrtle Beach National has hosted tournaments for men, women, senior or junior golfers for more than 35 years to help grow the game of golf. Every November, Myrtle Beach National-sponsored George Holliday Memorial Tournament, recently named one of the top-ranked junior tournaments by the Heritage Classic Foundation, draws more than 500 prep golfers to the Grand Strand. During the spring, Myrtle Beach National welcomes more than 500 junior golfers to the area during Easter weekend for the Myrtle Beach Junior Golf Tournament. In the fall, Myrtle Beach National welcomes women golfers and couples to the Grand Strand for The Carolina Couples Classic and Just Girls Weekend. For more information, visit www.MBN.com or call 1-800-882-2614.

Award-Winning MBN.com Provides Golfers With Ability to Research, Price and Book Tee Times at All Myrtle Beach Area Golf Courses

Myrtle Beach National recently launched the redesigned Myrtle Beach Golf Web site, MBN.com, to give golfers the convenience of one-stop information gathering and a booking engine for all Grand Strand area courses and accommodations.

MBN.com is one of the few golf destination sites that provides golfers with the ability to communicate directly with knowledgeable golf planners and instantly receive information and suggestions about Grand Strand area golf, accommodations and golf packages. The site’s Live Chat feature is available seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

By visiting the site, golfers can review video and photo galleries of all area courses, check out seasonal golf specials, book golf and lodging, coordinate group itineraries, correspond with friends on message boards, read golf blogs and interact with golfers who play in the Myrtle Beach area on the “Golf Buddies” page. MBN.com also offers driving directions to all courses, flight and rental car information, contests, area golf event and tournament information, golf instruction and news updates.

One of the most active Web sites in golf destination travel with more than 80,000 user sessions per month, Myrtle Beach National experienced an increase of 85 percent in online bookings during the first eight months of 2007 as compared to the same time period in 2006.

The launching of MBN.com comes on the heels of the site receiving the prestigious Standard of Excellence Web award in the 2007 WebAwards competition. Sponsored by the Web Marketing Association – a national association of Internet marketing professionals, Myrtle Beach National was honored for outstanding achievement in interactive marketing and web development.

Founded by the Web Marketing Association in 1997, the WebAward is the standards-defining competition that recognizes outstanding corporate Web sites with winners being determined by a professional judging panel that compares competitor sites within their industry. MBN.com was selected based on seven different standards, including design, innovation, content, technology, interactivity, navigation and ease of use.

Judges were also instructed to closely examine a company's mission statement and prospective audience when determining winners. More than 2,400 Web sites from 40 countries were reviewed during this year's WebAward competition.

“MBN.com streamlines the golf vacation planning process with concise information and photographs of all Myrtle Beach golf courses along with a booking engine that enables golfers to search, shop and book tee times online in real time,” said Jim Woodring, Myrtle Beach National’s vice president of golf operations. “According to a 2006 Golf Datatech study, 89 percent of golfers are now using the Internet to plan and book their golf vacations and we took that into consideration when redesigning our site. We had an award-winning site that experienced a record number of unique visits in 2007 and enhanced it further by making it even easier to navigate with more of the information that golfers wanted when surfing the Internet.”

About The Myrtle Beach National Company
The Myrtle Beach National Company has evolved into one of the leading golf course ownership and management operations in the Southeast, featuring many of the most well-respected signature courses along the Grand Strand. The company formed in 1971 with the construction of the Arnold Palmer-designed original 54-hole golf complex, which includes the West Course, Southcreek (both designed by Francis Duane and Arnold Palmer) and King’s North, also an Arnold Palmer design that has achieved national notoriety. Myrtle Beach National has grown to include the Robert Trent Jones designed Waterway Hills, Jack Nicklaus’ Long Bay, Tom Jackson’s River Club and Aberdeen Country Club, Dan Maple’s Willbrook Plantation and Willard Byrd’s Litchfield Country Club, all premier Myrtle Beach area signature courses. Myrtle Beach National has hosted tournaments for men, women, senior or junior golfers for more than 35 years to help grow the game of golf. Every November, Myrtle Beach National-sponsored George Holliday Memorial Tournament, recently named one of the top-ranked junior tournaments by the Heritage Classic Foundation, draws more than 500 prep golfers to the Grand Strand. During the spring, Myrtle Beach National welcomes more than 500 junior golfers to the area during Easter weekend for the Myrtle Beach Junior Golf Tournament. In the fall, Myrtle Beach National welcomes women golfers and couples to the Grand Strand for The Carolina Couples Classic and Just Girls Weekend. For more information, visit MBN.com or call 1-800-882-2614.

Myrtle Beach National to Host South Carolina Junior Golf Association-Sanctioned Tournament for Boys and Girls 9 to 18 Years of Age

The Myrtle Beach National Company is now accepting entries for the 39th annual George Holliday Memorial Golf Tournament November 22 – 24, 2007. Named one of the top junior tournaments by the Heritage Classic Foundation, the George Holliday Memorial Tournament consists of three rounds at Myrtle Beach National’s SouthCreek, West Course and King’s North courses with a daily 9:00 a.m. shotgun start.

More than 400 boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 18 from across the United States and Puerto Rico will participate in the three-day tournament, which is sanctioned by the South Carolina Junior Golf Association. In addition, college golf coaches will be in attendance to scout prospective players for college golf teams.

The boys’ division consists of three different age levels; 10-11, 12-13 and 14-18 years of age with four age brackets in the girls’ division; 10-11, 12-13, 14-15 and 16-18 years of age. All golfers who are 18 years of age must still be enrolled in high school. There will also be an Under-9 years-of-age division in which the younger golfers will only play nine holes each day.

The junior championship is held in memory of George Judson Holliday, III, of Galivants Ferry, South Carolina, who won many junior level tournaments while attending Mullins High School in South Carolina, and later at the Asheville School for Boys in North Carolina. At the college level, Holliday had a 69 stroke average over 40 matches and a +1 handicap. He died tragically in November 1967.

“Myrtle Beach National has always encouraged events to get junior golfers involved in the game of golf; a game they can enjoy for a lifetime,” said Jim Woodring, vice president of golf operations for The Myrtle Beach National Company. The George Holliday Memorial Golf Tournament is the highlight of our tournament schedule and we look forward to welcoming 400 junior golfers and their families to Myrtle Beach over the Thanksgiving holiday.”

The entry fee for the George Holliday Memorial Junior Golf Tournament is $125 with an $85 fee for participants in the Under-9 years-of-age division. The entry fee includes the three tournament rounds, a welcome gift and lunch each day. To register, contact the Myrtle Beach National Company at 1-800-344-5590 or visit www.mbn.com/golf-events.

About The Myrtle Beach National Company
The Myrtle Beach National Company has evolved into one of the leading golf course ownership and management operations in the Southeast, featuring many of the most well-respected signature courses along the Grand Strand. The company formed in 1971 with the construction of the Arnold Palmer-designed original 54-hole golf complex, which includes the West Course, Southcreek (both designed by Francis Duane and Arnold Palmer) and King’s North, also an Arnold Palmer design that has achieved national notoriety. Myrtle Beach National has grown to include the Robert Trent Jones designed Waterway Hills, Jack Nicklaus’ Long Bay, Tom Jackson’s River Club and Aberdeen Country Club, Dan Maple’s Willbrook Plantation and Willard Byrd’s Litchfield Country Club, all premier Myrtle Beach area signature courses.

Myrtle Beach National has hosted tournaments for men, women, senior or junior golfers for more than 35 years to help grow the game of golf. In addition to the George Holliday Memorial Tournament, Myrtle Beach National just added to the inaugural Glory Days Alumni Classic, a 54-hole tournament for college alumni. During the spring, Myrtle Beach National welcomes more than 500 junior golfers to the area during Easter weekend for the Myrtle Beach Junior Golf Tournament. In the fall, Myrtle Beach National welcomes women golfers and couples to the Grand Strand for the Girls Love to Golf Clinic and The Carolina Couples Classic. For more information, visit MBN.com.