Event Continues to Exceed Expectations as Year Three Plans Underway
Myrtle Beach, S.C. (September 15, 2025) – This year’s ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic, Myrtle Beach’s first and only PGA TOUR event, generated a substantial economic impact for the region known as “The Golf Capital of the World,” once again marking itself as the top generating event for the Grand Strand.
Based on Destinations International (DI) calculations, the worldwide standard for measuring the effect events have on communities, the tournament generated a total economic impact of $15.8 million, up from last year’s $15.4 million, to considerably bolster the area’s economy, increasing tax revenues for public services and supporting local jobs.
While weather impacted the event and attendance was approximately 5,000 less at 36,000 over the four days of play, an impressive six percent increase of out-of-town visitors allowed the event to present a larger boon to the local economy. Notably, local residents attending the tournament are not factored into the measurement of the economic impact calculation.
“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. It not only supports local business, both big and small, but generates additional tax income that ultimately improves the destination and enhances the quality of life for residents.”
The second annual ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic, held May 8 - 11, 2025, at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club, also welcomed a field of 132 players and their caddies, 1,300 volunteers, as well as dozens of officials, staff and members of the media participated.
Tournament officials shared the following key performance indicators for the 2025 event:
$15.8 million economic impact, surpassing the tournament’s inaugural year by $400,000 (Visit Myrtle Beach via Destination International economic impact calculator).
58 percent of Myrtle Beach Classic attendees visited the Grand Strand from areas located across the U.S. and 12 countries (Zartico, a U.S.-based data science company).
8-plus hours of live coverage and replays appeared on the GOLF Channel and licensed media partners across 73 countries and territories with viewers increasing over one million to 3.53 in 2025 (PGA TOUR).
23.7 billion potential readership and viewership (earned media) captured across major media platforms such as NBCUniversal, CBS and ESPN (PGA TOUR).
Social media impressions from the tournament and the PGA TOUR social media channels generated more than 31 million impressions, an increase from 20 million in 2024 (PGA TOUR).
9 charities based in Horry and Georgetown counties rewarded as the recipients of $225,000 in total local donations (PGA TOUR).
$400,000-plus in merchandise purchased during the event through support from local vendor Native Sons, and $700,000-plus in food and beverage purchased (Myrtle Beach Classic).
9,600-plus lodging room nights booked across the Grand Strand (Visit Myrtle Beach).
285,600-plus rounds of golf were played across the Grand Strand in the month of May 2025, which was an all-time record for the month of May (Golf Tourism Solutions).
The Q at Myrtle Beach, a unique qualifying event released on Play Golf Myrtle Beach’s YouTube channel, generated 541,000-plus views and 273,000 hours of watch time (Golf Tourism Solutions).
“This remarkable PGA TOUR event continues to position The Beach as a premier travel destination for golf enthusiasts across the world. The entire Grand Strand experienced the positive effects of this major sporting event from increased tax revenues and job support to heightened golf participation and community pride, setting the stage for continued growth and success in the years to come,” said Stuart Butler, president, Visit Myrtle Beach, the tournament’s title sponsor.
“The ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic continues to elevate the standard for what a world-class golf event should look like—on and off the course,” said Ferren Rajput, CEO, ONEflight International. “We are proud to be part of a tournament that not only draws global attention to the Grand Strand but also delivers meaningful economic and charitable impact to the community. The growth we’ve seen in just two years reflects the strength of our partnerships, the passion of golf fans, and the exceptional experience Myrtle Beach provides.”
Next year’s tournament will be held May 7 - 10, 2026, once again over Mother’s Day weekend at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club. Tickets for the event will go on sale this winter and volunteer registration will open early 2026.
For more information about 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.
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.
Visit Myrtle Beach promotes tourism through various partnerships and initiatives to advance the economic success of the region, popularly known as the Grand Strand and the “Golf Capital of the World.” Along with world-class golf and over 90 golf courses, Myrtle Beach offers fresh coastal Carolina cuisine, vibrant entertainment and family attractions, shopping and more. 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.
While creating and growing long-term value for all, SPORTFIVE often leads the sports business into the future through innovative digital solutions and strives to be the most progressive and respected partner in sports.
Being at the center of professional sports, SPORTFIVE will use its unique position to make a positive contribution to sustainability and to live up to the social and economic duty and responsibility, which sport and consequently all parties involved, also have. SPORTFIVE operates with a global mindset and network of over 1,200 local experts based in 15 countries around the world, active in soccer, golf, Esports, motorsport, handball, tennis, football, basketball, ice hockey, rugby, Olympics, multi-sport events, and many more.