FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The 20^th Annual Robert M. Clinger III Invitational

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, February 17, 2026 — The 20th Annual Robert M. Clinger III Invitational was contested Monday, February 16, 2026 at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club. One hundred five players competed in gusty winds and temperatures in the 50s for the Obelisk of Victory. Now in its twentieth year, The Robert M. Clinger III Invitational has remained intentionally challenging and rooted in tradition—an event defined as much by perseverance and camaraderie as by score. The tournament’s character has always been shaped by the setting and the people behind it, including the staff and membership of The Dunes Golf & Beach Club whose preparation and professionalism make the Invitational possible each year.

The tournament began shortly before noon.  At the conclusion of play, four teams posted matching scores of 73 (-9), requiring the official tie-breaking procedure. Per The Invitational’s rules, ties are decided by a three-hole aggregate, sudden-death playoff using the following sequence:

• Sudden Death Round 1: Holes 10, 11 & 13
• Sudden Death Round 2: Holes 14, 15 & 16
• Sudden Death Round 3: Holes 2, 3 & 4
• Sudden Death Round 4: Holes 6, 7 & 18

The Executive Committee determined the final order of finish by applying the tie-break format to the teams’ scorecards, rather than conducting additional on-course play.

Following a champagne toast led by Dennis Nicholl, the results were announced in the ballroom at 5:01 p.m.

First Place: James Ebert, Jeff Helms, Matt Minder, Chris Campbell
Second Place: Robert M. Clinger III, Stephen Vogel, Greg Brastow, Larry Yarnell
Third Place: Joel Foster, Cole Williams, Kyle Sleem, Dougie Warstler

At 5:30 p.m., the Executive Committee announced that the 21st Annual Robert M. Clinger III Invitational will be contested on Monday, February 15, 2027. The 2027 Invitational is currently closed to new participants. More information regarding The Invitational can be found on the tournament website, http://www.ClingerInvitational.com.

About Mr. Clinger—Robert M. Clinger III is a nationally recognized business valuation expert with more than 25 years of experience appraising privately held companies across a broad spectrum of industries. A Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), Certified Business Appraiser (CBA) and Certified Machinery & Equipment Appraiser (CMEA), Mr. Clinger has personally completed over 10,000 business valuations for clients including SBA 7(a) lenders and privately owned businesses nationwide. As Managing Director of Highland Global Business Valuations, Mr. Clinger provides business valuations, strategic advisory, and financial analysis services tailored to the needs of lenders and privately held businesses. He is widely regarded as an authority on SBA loan-related valuations and the application of fair market value in the context of government-backed financing.  Through Highland Global Business Valuations, Mr. Clinger continues to advance the valuation profession while supporting lenders, business owners, and advisors with independent, defensible, and strategically focused valuation services.

About The Dunes Golf & Beach Club—The Dunes Golf & Beach Club was built in 1948 and remains the premier country club in Myrtle Beach. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones and has ranked in the top 100 courses in the nation for much of its history. The Dunes Club hosted the 2014 PGA Professional National Championship, six Senior Tour Championships in the 1990s, one USGA Women’s Open and several PGA Tour Q-School finals. The Dunes Club is also the host of the PGA Tour’s One Flight Myrtle Beach Classic.

Press Contact:
The Robert M. Clinger III Invitational Executive Committee
http://www.ClingerInvitational.com