MYRTLE BEACH, SC- High school girls basketball teams from across the nation gathered at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center Friday to participate in the Crescom Bank Holiday Invitational. Next week, top boys teams will take the court to compete in the Beach Ball Classic.
Over 300 local businesses sponsor the tournaments, which each last five days. Jay Martin on the Beach Ball Classic Committee estimated the events cost a total of a half a million dollars to put on. The number may sound like a lot to some people, but Martin said the economic boost generated from the tournaments is greater.
The first Beach Ball Classic happened 34 years ago.
“It was only 8 teams and that was in Soccastee High School,” said Martin.
Eventually it turned into a movement with lasting effects on Myrtle Beach’s economy. Mayor John Rhodes helped start the tournament. He said he remembers seeing the stands full.
“We looked around and said maybe we’ve hit on something here that can be very big for our area and we’ve grown from there,” he said. “I guess you could say the Beach Ball Classic was the beginning of sports tourism.”
A women’s basketball coach from the University of North Carolina recommended that Rhodes add a girls tournament equivalent to the Beach Ball Classic. The Crescom Bank Holiday Invitational was started 17 year later.
Mayor Rhodes said while the tournaments require financial assistance from businesses, they give back to the community by donating proceeds to scholarship funds for local students. In addition, he said the tournaments bring in more consumers.
“With all the families coming in, it helps all of the local businesses,” said General Manager of Golden Corral Jim Cutler.
Cutler’s restaurant serves teams competing in the tournament for free, but he said the fans and families that travel with them bring added business.
“It’s been a very successful partnership for us,” he said.
While Myrtle Beach’s sports facilities make it a growing destination for sports tourism, the location itself and attractions are added bonuses.
“When you get through playing a game, you’ve got something here to do besides go back to the hotel,” said Rhodes. Mayor
Rhodes also said the tournament introduces Myrtle Beach to a new group of people that might not have ever considered visiting otherwise.
According to Rhodes, this year’s Beach Ball Classic will be broadcasted over various television outlets. As a result, the tournament will be available to millions of viewers. Rhodes said he hopes the media attention will put Myrtle Beach on the map as a premier spot for sports tourism.
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