2016 Year in Review: Barefoot Named North American Golf Resort of the Year

December 30, 2016

Biggest Myrtle Beach golf story of the year was Barefoot being named North American Golf Destination of the Year

Barefoot Resort & Golf was named the North American Golf Resort of the Year by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) at the organization’s annual awards banquet in Spain. 

A 72-hole facility with courses designed by Davis Love III, Tom Fazio, Greg Norman and Pete Dye, Barefoot has long been regarded as one of the best multi-course facilities in Myrtle Beach and all of America. 

The Love, Fazio and Dye courses have all been ranked among America’s top 100 public layouts and the Norman Course, with seven holes that play along the Intracoastal Waterway, might be the most visually pleasing. 

The Dye Course is the long-time host of the Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am and all four layouts hosted the hit Golf Channel show Big Break Myrtle Beach. 

“We are honored to have won this award and it’s a testament to the entire team at Barefoot Resort, beginning with the ownership of the Puglia family and their dedication to making Barefoot a premier resort,” said Dave Genevro, Barefoot’s General Manager. “Everyday our goal is to provide an outstanding golf experience and that begins at the bag drop and extends through the 19th hole. This award is validation of that hard work and one we are extremely proud of.”

As the global trade organization for the golf tourism industry, IAGTO conducts annual awards to recognize the best performing golf resorts in three regions: North America, Europe, and the Rest of the World. Over 500 IAGTO golf tour operators in 62 countries vote based on criteria including customer satisfaction, course quality, accommodations, accessibility to tee times, overall value, levels of service, and the professionalism which the organization works within the industry and with tour operators.

In 2000, Barefoot Resort became the first American facility to open four courses simultaneously and it has delivered on its immense promise, culminating in the IAGTO Award, another honor that shines a light on Barefoot and the entire Myrtle Beach golf market.