Coastal Carolina University breaks ground on $10 million PGA Golf Management Project
CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) — Coastal Carolina University broke ground Monday on a facliity for its new PGA Golf Management Project.
The 16-square-foot facility will feature an academic learning lab as well as a new clubhouse for the General James Hackler golf course. Discussions for the new facility started in 2021.
The university and Hackler course officials celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony with a friendly tee-off competition.
Teagan Richards, president of the PGA Golf Management Student Association, said the clubhouse will enhance their learning environment, serve as a second home for students and allow students to grow to be the best professionals in the golf industry.
“The classrooms on the second floor will provide us with a hands-on experience and a chance to witness the daily operations of an outstanding facility,” Richards said.
Coastal Carolina University President, Michael T. Benson said the first floor will include a Pro Shop and a kitchen area. The second floor will have classrooms, offices, and swinging and putting labs.
“The full swing and putting labs will not only help us improve our games but will enable us to expand our knowledge of some of the best technology in the golf industry,” Richards said.
Benson said part of the project was made possible by Horry County’s penny sales tax.
“To the citizens of Horry County, thank you,” Richards said. “You’ve renewed this tax for another 15 years. That’s 68% approval rate, so that’s a big win for all of us, for public education for our campus and for Horry Georgetown Tech.”
Benson said the university’s program is one of only 17 in the nation. It also makes the Wall College now home to two unique programs.
“The Wall College aspires to be a college of choice for business students seeking an experiential education,” particularly in areas of study that are enriched in our unique Coastal location and community,” said Erika Small, dean of the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration.
Matt Hogue, vice president for Intercollegiate Athletics and University Recreation, said many will benefit from the facility. He said the golf course will then benefit from the economic impact.
“In athletics, we’re excited about what this means for our golf programs,” Hogue said. “Our men and women’s programs, and how they can utilize their resources, and then our community. Our playing public who loves to play this course, which seems to be busy every day, it’s a popular course between those who live here and those who travel here.”
The location for the facility has been picked out but the project’s contractor hasn’t been decided yet. Count on News 13 for updates.
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Jackie LiBrizzi is a multimedia journalist at News13. Jackie is originally from Hamilton, New Jersey, and was raised in Piedmont, South Carolina. Jackie joined the News13 team in June 2023 after she graduated as a student-athlete from the University of South Carolina in May 2023. Follow Jackie on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here.
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