CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina rakes in more than $30 billion a year in tourism alone. Part of that industry is the allure of the pristine golf courses between the Tar Heel state's majestic mountains and low country beaches.
In our newest Where's the Money report, WCNC Charlotte is checking in on a local entrepreneur who is using his popular golf company to cash in on that tourism.
"I think Beach Putt is now becoming the most popular East Coast beach game", Anthony Garofalo, owner and founder of the company shared with WCNC Charlotte anchor Colin Mayfield recently.
Beach Putt is now in its third summer with Anthony Garofalo at the helm – his passion has now turned into a bustling career.
The last time we checked in on Garofalo, his passion for putting on one of the best backdrops in nature had him pumping out beach-putt sets to the masses.
"I have now created a formalized beach golf league or tour," he said. "We call it the golf tour but the goal is we have our flagship event on August 31st at Wild Dunes in Isle of the Palms. We have some amazing sponsors and partners, including the great Wild Dunes."
His love for golf is paired with a demand for many to grow the game.
Wit Tuttell, director of VisitNC explained that this is the perfect area to create excitement around the product and new experience.
"We have some of the greatest golf courses by one of the greatest designers that ever lived and he happened to live in Pinehurst, Donald Ross, so we have more than any other state," Tuttell said.
"We've now expanded to some small retail locations, but in the near future we are getting strategic with other large big box stores," Garofalo added.
This new challenge for Garofalo attempts to attract golf fanatics from around the Carolinas and beyond to lay down some putts on the closest beach.
With his sights set on a great first event, there are plans to replicate this and bring it to other resorts up and down the East Coast. There's also potential to incorporate some of the biggest stars in golf.
Contact Colin Mayfield at cmayfield@wcnc.com or follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.