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MB Likely Site for PGA Tour Grill

Posted on: Thursday, 16 March 2006, 09:00 CST

By GARRISON WELLS, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Mar. 16--Myrtle Beach's draw as a golf destination is also likely to lure a PGA Tour Grill, a PGA official said.

But nothing will happen for at least six months, which is how long the first grill in a Washington, D.C., suburb has to prove its popularity.

"The decision is actually made by the licensee, but it is their recommendation that the restaurants go to major markets that have strong affinity with golf ...," said Leo McCullagh, vice president of retail licensing for the PGA Tour.

"I would think that they have Myrtle Beach pretty high up on their list of candidates," he said. The PGA Tour has final approval of sites.

Myrtle Beach is considered one of the country's top golf getaways. In Golfweek's 10th annual rankings, The Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach was ranked 89 among Classic courses (pre-1960) and Caledonia Golf & Fish Club was at the 92nd spot among modern courses (after 1960).

And though total paid rounds of golf slipped from 2004, they reached 3.84 million in 2005 on the Strand's more than 110 courses, according to a report prepared for Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday.

"It's natural for one to eventually end up here," said Mickey McCamish, president of Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday.

"I think it would do very well and the reason is the popularity of the PGA Tour. That name alone would cause it to do very well."

Matt Daly, assistant golf pro at the The Dunes, said he thinks a PGA Tour Grill would fare well -- even during the offseason.

McCamish said he thinks a PGA Grill would enhance Myrtle Beach's allure to golfers.

"The brand is so strong that it's important that it become a part of our community," he said.

Contact Garrison Wells at gwells@thesunnews.com [mailto:gwells@thesunnews.com] or 626-0364.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

For information on republishing this content, contact us at (800) 661-2511 (U.S.), (213) 237-4914 (worldwide), fax (213) 237-6515, or e-mail reprints@krtinfo.com.

Source: The Sun News (Myrtle Beach, S.C.)

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