IAGTO mid-year Convention - Coastal South Carolina

Eagle Tours' owner, Shelley Quinn recently attended the second annual IAGTO mid-year convention in Myrtle Beach and Charleston area, South Carolina.

On day one, we were warmly welcomed by Gary Edwards and his fantastic team and cohorts from Coastal South Carolina at the Marina Inn at Grand Dunes
Gary Edwards of Coastal South Carolina & Shelley Quinn from Eagle Tours


The newly opened Marina Inn is a fantastic location for golfers, with the Resort Course at Grand Dunes at your doorstep, and a short hotel-shuttle from the beautiful expansive beach that has made Myrtle Beach famous.
On Sunday the group split and played 3 courses - I was on the Links style True Blue Course and just loved the 'Southern' feel of this course, which was built on a former rice and indigo plantation.
On Monday the group travelled to Barefoot Resort and split into groups once again. I played the Dye Course , and managed to hit every sand trap on the course (and there are a lot of them!!

On Tuesday I was lucky enough to play the Grand Dunes Course for the IAGTO Tournament with Hotel Manager Jim Powalie and Harriss D'Antignac from River Hills golf & Country Club. My game wasn't on this day, but luckily my playing partners were extremely good natured (the bloody mary's didn't hurt either!).

Wednesday it was on to the Ocean Course on Kiawah Island
I would like to send a huge 'Thank You' to our caddie, Jeremy, who sorted out my swing at the practice facility and helped me to really enjoy the course. This course was definitely the highlight for me - especially since I was prepared to lose a dozen balls to the alligators, and only lost two!
Valdemar Bandolowski and Andrew Smith relaxing after a round on the Ocean Course
After relaxing on the plantation-style terrace we headed to view the impressive Sanctuary Hotel on Kaiwah Island and then to an authentic Oyster Roast and BBQ at Mingo Point.
We stayed for the next 2 nights in Charleston at the historic, >Mills House Hotel in the heart of the city.

The final day of golf was at the .Wild Dunes Course on the Isle of Palms, "Charleston's Island Resort
Following this round, we had a fantastic lunch by the sea, courtesy of Wild Dunes Resort.
Author Shelley Quinn trying the big chair at Wild Dunes Resort
On the final days, a few of the lucky ones stayed on in Charleston to see a bit more of the city...Lunch at Bubba Gumps.
Gwenna Pence, Anne Schmidt, Gordon Murray, Shelley Quinn & Aine Magnon

The trip was a roaring success, with all 50 Operators from 18 countries leaving with a wonderful impression of Coastal South Carolina, and waiting to take the good news back to our clients.

I'm certain that the ladies will never forget the 'Dark side of Charleston' tour with the convincigly creepy tour-guide...
And last but not least, we got to do the historic bike ride around Charleston (with a quick stop at Saks 5th Avenue of course!)... no fam trip can be really complete without exploring the area, seeing the historic sites, and doing a bit of shopping!!!
Aine Magnon & Shelley
A big thank you again to all of the folks that put in the time and hard work to put this fam trip together - and not to forget the IAGTO team Carleton Carugati, Giles Greeenwood & Peter Walton, who make it all happen... See you all again in Marbella in November!