Steve Mays appointed new tournament director of Myrtle Beach Classic
October 15, 2026
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.
About the Myrtle Beach Classic
The Myrtle Beach Classic, a dual-field PGA TOUR event hosting 120 players, will be played May 13-16, 2027, at The Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, S.C., commonly known as the “Golf Capital of the World.” Updated information on the 2027 event can be found at myrtlebeachclassic.com.
About PGA Tour
The PGA Tour’s mission is to deliver the world’s most compelling professional golf competition, featuring the sport’s greatest players, for fans, partners and communities. The PGA Tour, headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, operates the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions, Korn Ferry Tour, PGA Tour Americas and PGA Tour University. To date, events across all Tours have generated more than $4.4 billion in charitable giving.
About Visit Myrtle Beach
Visit Myrtle Beach is the official destination marketing organization for the Myrtle Beach area, promoting the region as a vibrant, welcoming destination made up of 14 unique communities stretching 60 miles along the northeast coast of South Carolina. With a mission to promote, protect and improve the region collectively known as the Grand Strand, Visit Myrtle Beach works to enhance the quality of life for local residents by fostering a sustainable tourism economy that supports local jobs and generates critical funding for public services, schools and infrastructure. For more information, visit VisitMyrtleBeach.com or call (888) Myrtle-1.
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.
