MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — eMYRge, the nonprofit Entrepreneurial Support Organization (ESO) based at the HTC Aspire Hub in Myrtle Beach, today announced the launch of the eMYRge Golf Tech Accelerator Challenge (GTAC), a national event designed to identify and elevate companies shaping the future of golf while advancing innovation in the Golf Capital of the World®. The initiative is supported by Play Golf Myrtle Beach, Coastal Carolina University, and Golfweek.

The program is made possible through a Relentless Challenge grant from the South Carolina Department of Commerce, which supports initiatives that strengthen entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic development across the state.

Introducing the Golf Tech Accelerator Challenge

The three day in-person accelerator and showcase will take place October 6-8 and be hosted by eMYRge at the HTC Aspire Hub located in downtown Myrtle Beach. The event will bring together entrepreneurs, early-stage innovators, emerging growth companies, investors, industry leaders, students, and media to explore technologies and business models shaping the future of the golf industry. 

Companies invited to participate will present innovations across areas including golf performance technology, digital platforms, course operations, customer experience, and golf tourism while taking part in a curated program of mentorship, industry dialogue, and investor connections designed to accelerate promising ideas. The program will conclude with a pitch showcase where selected companies present solutions aimed at advancing the next generation of golf experiences.

“If you spend any time in the Myrtle Beach area, you soon understand how creative, innovative, and collaborative our community is,” said Jenny Halstead, Executive Director, eMYRge. “GTAC is another program that helps position eMYRge as a place where new ideas and technologies take shape, and that benefits our entire region over the long run.”

Play Golf Myrtle Beach, owned and operated by Golf Tourism Solutions (GTS), is the official content platform of the Golf Tech Accelerator Challenge representing Myrtle Beach golf and the Myrtle Beach golf lifestyle. GTS is providing technical expertise and assisting with integration of the regional golf ecosystem into GTAC programming. 

“Myrtle Beach has long been recognized as the Golf Capital of the World, and the Golf Tech Accelerator Challenge represents an opportunity to help shape the future of the game right here in our community,” said Ryan Cannon, Executive Director, Golf Tourism Solutions. “By bringing entrepreneurs, innovators, students and industry leaders together, we can accelerate ideas that strengthen both the golf industry and our regional economy.”

Coastal Carolina University will also play an active role in the Golf Tech Accelerator Challenge program by connecting students with participating entrepreneurs and industry leaders. CCU students will be invited to participate in and engage with the event through programming, networking opportunities, and exposure to emerging companies and technologies shaping the future of golf.

“This collaboration reflects Coastal Carolina University’s commitment to preparing students for the industries shaping our future,” said James J. Winebrake, Ph.D., president of Coastal Carolina University. “By engaging with entrepreneurs and innovators through the Golf Tech Accelerator Challenge, our students take bold steps in their educational development, gaining firsthand exposure to the emerging technologies and professional networks that drive innovation in our region and beyond.”

Golfweek will serve as the Golf Tech Accelerator Challenge event’s production and media partner, helping curate participants and deliver national editorial coverage before, during, and after the event. Through its reach across the golf industry and consumer audiences, Golfweek will amplify the companies participating in the accelerator and showcase the innovation emerging from the program.

“Supporting innovation is essential to the long‑term health of the golf industry, and that’s why initiatives like the eMYRge Golf Tech Accelerator Challenge matter to Golfweek,” said Kendra Leopold, Golfweek’s Director of Strategic Partnerships. “Through Golfweek’s national coverage of this event and partnership in planning, we’re proud to help elevate these innovators and further reinforce Golfweek’s commitment to driving the game forward.”

Additional details will be announced about the Golf Tech Accelerator Challenge in the coming months. Visit www.emyrge.org/gtac for more information on the Golf Tech Accelerator Challenge . 

About eMYRge: eMYRge is a nonprofit entrepreneurial support organization located at the HTC Aspire Hub in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The organization supports entrepreneurs and growth-stage companies through programming, mentorship, and ecosystem partnerships designed to accelerate innovation and economic opportunity across the region. For more information, visit www.emyrge.org or follow on LinkedIn. 

About Play Golf Myrtle Beach: Play Golf Myrtle Beach, the official content platform of the Myrtle Beach area golf community, is owned and produced by Golf Tourism Solutions (GTS). It serves as the definitive resource for The Golf Capital of the World®. For more information, visit PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com and follow our socials: @PlayGolfMB on X; @playgolfmyrtlebeach on Instagram; and Play Golf Myrtle Beach on TikTok, Facebook and YouTube.

About Coastal Carolina: Located in Conway, South Carolina, Coastal Carolina University is a premier public institution recognized for its dedication to student success, vibrant campus community, and championship-winning NCAA Division I athletics. A designated Sea Grant and Space Grant university, CCU drives innovation through specialized initiatives like South Carolina’s first space satellite program and the state’s only accredited Professional Golf Management program – one of just 16 such programs in the nation. Explore CCU’s bold commitment to academic excellence at coastal.edu.

About Golfweek: Golfweek is a trusted golf media brand with more than 50 years dedicated to covering all aspects of the sport, including professional tours, amateur and college golf, equipment innovation, golf course rankings, business trends and more. Part of USA TODAY Co., the Golfweek brand encompasses Golfweek.com, Golfweek Events, Golfweek magazine, and Golfweek Custom Media.