Tour Options - Golf packaging really is easy - Part 1

With just a few exceptions the tour & travel industry is still waiting to embrace the traveling golfer. Maybe now is the time to take a serious look at a market the National Golf Foundation estimated at 11.4 million.

In the next two issues we’ll be talking about the golf market. In this issue we’ll breakdown some of the barriers to “booking” your golf tours. In the April 6^th issue we’ll share some insight into how your golf tours can be “sold.” In both issues it will be clear that the Myrtle Beach area is a great golf tour destination.

Over the years there have been numerous reasons – many valid – why the golf market was overlooked. Until the introduction of today’s large motorcoach, the cargo areas could not accommodate golf bags and luggage. Operators believed golf to be a male thing. Even with the advent of gender specific tours that barrier is being broken down. Men, women, couples, seniors and boomers are all found on the golf course and all traveling to play golf.

The biggest obstacle to overcome is possibly the fear of the unknown. More than once the statement has been made, “I don’t play golf and don’t understand anything about the game.” Here is exactly where the Myrtle Beach area is far ahead of the curve. They’ve been packaging golf for more than 30-years making it easy for millions of visitors to enjoy the sport they love.

Mark Masten, Assistant Golf Professional at Arrowhead Country Club, reflects the entire community’s feeling when he says, “We’re very experienced working with large groups of 20 or more and love to have them.” Arrowhead Country Club (www.arrowheadcc.com) like most Myrtle Beach area courses will go out of their way to extend some good old-fashioned southern hospitality. From golf clinics and box lunches to great rates and logo merchandise for prizes, the golf courses will make your group feel welcome.

“Golf is an activity. Just like booking a theatre or a garden visit, we will package golf for tour operators,” stated Jennifer Morse, Corporate Director of Sales for Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts (www.MyrtleBeachSeasideResorts.com). “There seems to be increasing interest from tour operators regarding golf packages,” Morse continued.

Oceana Resorts commitment to group golf is evident on their web site at www.oceanagroups.com. From tours and weddings to meetings and golf, all segments fall under the group umbrella. Long a major contributor to the golf packaging business the Days Hotel Surfside Beach and Scotty’s Golf at http://www.scottysgolf.com/get_started.htm is a great place to begin.

A telephone call to any accommodations supplier listed here can get your golf tour underway. Each property has a variety of packages available and is more than willing to go a step further and create one to your specific needs. The typical package includes room, breakfast and golf, but theatre, attractions and meals can easily be added. The non-golfer accompanying the group is not forgotten.

With groups of 20 or more significant value added can be added to golf packages. Complimentary suites, clinics, tournaments with prizes and receptions can certainly be included. If a local step on guide (golf ambassador) is required, the Myrtle Beach Tour Planner (tourplanner@discoverinfuzion.com) will be happy to recommend one that suits your group.

Yes, it really is that easy.

Supplier Spotlight - The core of Oceana Resorts success

The success of any lodging establishment depends primarily on the departments within the hotel that keep the standards of cleanliness high. For years the housekeeping departments in lodging establishments were referred to as “back of the house”. At Oceana Resorts they prefer to call housekeeping the “core” of their success.”

The Director of Housekeeping, Chrissie Keziah, and Best Western’s Housekeeping Manager, Stepheney McCrae led the housekeeping departments at Anderson Ocean Club and Best Western Carolinian Resort.

Chrissie Keziah started in the hospitality field directly out of high school in Allentown, PA. She has held positions with Embassy Suites as Front Office Manager in Florida; Rooms Division Manager with Radisson Hotels in Florida; General Manager and Assistant General Manager of Hampton Inns in Myrtle Beach, SC; Rooms Division Manager at the Patricia Grand Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC; and currently serves as the Director of Housekeeping at both the luxurious Anderson Ocean Club and the award winning Best Western Carolinian Resort, both in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Chrissie hold the prestigious American Hotel & Lodging -Educational Institute’s certification: “Certified Housekeeping Manager”; has completed Hilton Hotel’s General Manager Leadership Training Program; Certificate of Green Training; I CARE Training Program – Best Western Hotels and Best Western’s Housekeeping Certification.

Stepheney McCrae comes to Oceana Resorts from Liberty Hill, Discovery Bay, Jamaica. She holds a diploma in Business and Hospitality from Brown’s Town College in Jamaica; was awarded a housekeeping certification from Best Western Hotels and successfully completed Best Western’s I CARE Training Program.

With management such as these two competent and celebrated ladies leading and guiding the housekeeping staffs at both properties, Oceana Resorts feels confident in stating that the “core” of their business, the housekeeping departments are in great hands.

For additional information about Oceana Resorts visit online at www.OceanaGroups.com, telephone 866.270.2263, or e-mail groupinfo@oceanaresorts.com.

In the News - Myrtle Beach Pelicans 2010 season opens April 8

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (March 12, 2010) – The Myrtle Beach Pelicans an Advanced A Affiliate of the Atlanta Braves will begin their 2010 campaign with a series April 8^th through the 11^th with the Wilmington Blue Rocks. The season ends with a September 4-6 series with the Lynchburg Hillcats. A great group program is part of the fun of minor league baseball. For a complete schedule visit www.myrtlebeachpelicans.com or call 843-918-6000.  

In the News - New zip line ride and ropes course opening this spring

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (March 5, 2010) – Broadway at the Beach will have a ropes course and zip line ride that will go back and forth over the 23-acre Lake Broadway. The zip line ride scheduled to open in April will fly riders 500 feet back and forth across the lake 50 feet in the air. The ropes course will be a three-story rope climb encountering 20 different obstacles and activities. For more about Broadway at the Beach visit online at www.broadwayatthebeach.com.

A Special Request to Student/Youth Operators

The Myrtle Beach area is in the preliminary stages of developing a major high school band festival featuring adjudication in both field and parade competition.  Your help and direction would be most appreciated.  If you are involved in the student/youth performance segment, please take a few minutes to respond to the following questions.  Direct your response via e-mail to tourplanner@discoverinfuzion.com. Thank you very much for your input.
In your experience –

1. What is the best month to hold a major new band festival?
2. What are the best arrival/departure days?
3. What meals should be included?
4. What materials will you need to sell the festival?

Again, thank you for your time and direction.  E-mail your responses to tourplanner@discoverinfuzion.com.

Tour Options - You take the yellow ball. I want the green one.

For over 20 years the Myrtle Beach area has been known as the “seaside golf capital of the world.” Being home to almost 100 golf courses that is a well earned and deserving title! Be assured we’ll talk more about golf in future issues, but for right now we’re focusing on miniature golf.

You have it right! Today we’re talking about golf with pirates and lost treasure, shipwrecks and plane wrecks, dragons and jungles.

If the Myrtle Beach area is truly the “seaside golf capital of the world,” it certainly must also be the “miniature golf capital of the world.” By most accounts the area is home to more than 50 mini golf courses. Most are carefully landscaped and decorated with seasonal plants and flowers. However, what sets these jewels apart from your standard putt-putt course are the themes.

Cannon balls from pirate ships explode in lagoons, while man-eating dinosaurs appear in another venue.  All the while volcanoes are erupting just down the road. These architectural beauties are guaranteed fun for ages from 7 to 70. It’s a sure thing the laughs will come just as quickly as the strokes of the putter.

Miniature golf in the Myrtle Beach area is a great activity for any group and so easy to add to an itinerary. For a variety of courses just go to www.VisitMyrtleBeach.com or www.northmyrtlebeachchamber.com and search miniature golf. However, for the course that’s closest to your lodging, just ask the group sales contact at your accommodations. Many venues are open year around, but do double check, if you’re planning a winter tour to the area.

From arrival at a mini course to departure allow about 1 ½ to 2 hours for the activity. This is a great morning option. The courses require some walking with most having steps that will need to be navigated. If your group includes physically challenged clients, you may consider having them function as the tournament director(s).

Their important contribution will be to collect the scorecards and verify each player’s score. Yes, some of us are mathematically challenged! Of course no tournament is complete without the awards banquet. Your tournament director will award prizes and/or trophies to both the ladies and men’s low score and of course the high score of the morning’s fun! You did remember to get the trophies I hope!

Tour Options - More fabulous fall festivals

In a previous issue we introduced a variety of fall festivals that are group friendly and add value to any September or October Myrtle Beach area tour. Unfortunately, space did not allow us to list every festival. To give you even more to think about, here are a few of our favorites.

Huntington Beach State Park near Murrells Inlet is home to the 35^th Annual Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival, September 24-26, 2010. Over 100 of the finest artisans provide aesthetic beauty against a background of natural beauty. Fine art and crafts along with great Lowcountry food and music await your group. Daily festival admission is only $6 for adults, while admission to the park is free. For further details call Huntington Beach State Park at 843-237-4440.

Friday, September 24 through October 3, 2010 is the 20^th Annual Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art. This year’s event kicks off on September 24^th with the 11^th Annual Pawleys Island Wine Gala featuring 60 wineries, great food and music. All 2010 events will be held at Litchfield Plantation. More information is online at www.pawleysmusic.com, info@pawleysmusic.com or 843-626-8911.

The 21^st Annual Wooden Boat Show will be on the waterfront and Front Street in Historic Downtown Georgetown. The event features one of the nation’s premier wooden boat exhibits, a wooden boatbuilding competition, children’s model boatbuilding, knot tying, maritime arts & crafts and food and music. Admission is free. For more information call 877-285-3888 or go online to www.woodenboatshow.com.