Longtime Grand Strand golf and tourism executive to lead one of South Carolina’s premier tournaments
SPORTFIVE, the organization that facilitates and operates the Myrtle Beach Classic, the Grand Strand’s annual PGA Tour event, announced today the appointment of Steve Mays as Tournament Director, effective immediately.
In this role, Mays will oversee the planning, operations, overall execution of and continued growth of the tournament.
Mays brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across golf, sports, tourism, hospitality, marketing and business development. Most recently, he served as President of
Founders Group International, one of the nation’s largest golf ownership and operating organizations, where he oversaw 21 Myrtle Beach-area golf courses and helped further
elevate the Grand Strand as one of the world’s premier golf destinations.
Earlier in his career, Mays spent 13 years with Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, including serving as Tournament Director of the World Amateur Championship and managing a portfolio of major golf events.
“I’ve spent my career helping grow golf in Myrtle Beach, and it’s an honor to take on this role,”Mays said.
“The Myrtle Beach Classic has quickly become an important part of our community and a showcase for one of the premier golf destinations in the world. I look forward to working
with our partners, sponsors, volunteers and community stakeholders to continue building a first-class event.”
Mays, an avid player himself, first fell in love with the Myrtle Beach region while attending nearby Coastal Carolina University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree.
“Steve is one of the most respected leaders in all of Myrtle Beach, and his passion for this community is unmatched,” said Mike Harmon, Executive Vice President of Golf Events at SPORTFIVE.
“His decades of experience, deep relationships across the region, and proven track record of leading successful golf organizations make him uniquely qualified to guide this event
into its next chapter. We’re thrilled to welcome Steve to the team.”
Next year’s Myrtle Beach Classic will return to The Dunes Golf and Beach Club on May 13-16, 2027. The upcoming edition will mark the fourth playing of the event, which has already
crowned Chris Gotterup, Ryan Fox, and Brandt Snedeker as champions.
