More than 1,000 members of the American armed forces took to the Grand Strand links last week, competing in the 26th Annual Retired Military Golf Classic hosted by The Myrtle Beach National Company.

Scores were low in this captain's choice format, and spirits were high - for the same overriding reason why retired soldiers from more than 24 military bases worldwide flock to the Myrtle Beach area each May, year after year.

"Meeting players from all across the country, the camaraderie amongst all the branches of service, it's great - and it always will be," said Robert Kuhn of Middletown, N.Y., a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel who took home the men's "A" player championship with a three-round score of 173.80. Indeed, Kuhn's passion for making new friends and sharing stories has kept him coming back to this event for the past nine years.

"I've been working so long and so hard for this, and to be able to finally break through with the help of some great teammates is a tremendous thrill," said Charlotte Briggs of Columbia, S.C, a retired sergeant first-class from the U.S. Army and 19-year veteran of this event who won the women's "A" player title (192.60). "But the camaraderie we share, and the respect we have for one another for the service we've given our country, is that much more special when we can celebrate it in such a great setting like this."

The Retired Military Golf Classic was contested on five Myrtle Beach National courses - SouthCreek, West Course and King's North at Myrtle Beach National in Myrtle Beach; and Aberdeen Country Club and Long Bay Club in North Myrtle Beach.

About The Myrtle Beach National Company
The Myrtle Beach National Company has evolved into one the leading golf course ownership and management operations in the Southeast, featuring many of the most well-respected signature courses along the Grand Strand. The company formed in 1971 with the construction of the Arnold Palmer-designed original 54-hole golf complex, which includes the West Course, SouthCreek (both designed by Francis Duane and Arnold Palmer) and King's North, also an Arnold Palmer design that has achieved national notoriety. Myrtle Beach National has grown to include the Robert Trent Jones designed Waterway Hills, Jack Nicklaus' Long Bay, Tom Jackson's River Club and Aberdeen Country Club, Dan Maple's Willbrook Plantation and Willard Byrd's Litchfield Country Club, all premier Myrtle Beach area signature courses. In September 2008, Myrtle Beach National took over the management of Blackmoor Golf Club in Murrells Inlet, S.C.

Myrtle Beach National has hosted tournaments for men, women, senior or junior golfers for more than 35 years to help grow the game of golf. Every November, the Myrtle Beach National-sponsored George Holiday Memorial Tournament, recently named one of the top-ranked junior tournaments by the Heritage Classic Foundation, draws more than 300 prep golfers to the Grand Strand. During the spring, Myrtle Beach National welcomes more than 150 junior golfers to the area during the Easter weekend for the Myrtle Beach Junior Golf Shootout Tournament. In the fall, Myrtle Beach National welcomes women golfers and couples to the Grand Strand for "The Carolina Couples Classic" and "Just Girls Weekend." For more information, visit MBN.com or call 1-800-882-2614.

Contact:
Jim Maggio (843-503-2922)
jim@mbgolfinsider.com