Golfers from 49 states and 17 countries are descending on the Golf Capital of the World to compete in the PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com World Amateur Handicap Championship.
A 72-hole, net stroke play event, the 41st Annual World Am will be played Aug. 26 – 30 on 54 courses along Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand.
The World Am, which has been called the “Every Man’s Major,” allows regular golfers, who are flighted by age, gender and handicap, the rare opportunities to compete over 72 holes, with flight winners advancing to the World Championship Playoff at the Grande Dunes Resort Course.
Highlighting the World Am’s broad appeal, there are 3,000 players ranging in age from 17 to 91 registered for the tournament, while Canada and Portugal lead the nations sending international participants.
The world’s largest single-site tournament, the World Am is open to all golfers 17 years of age and older with a verifiable USGA handicap.
Participants are flighted into 12 divisions – men 49 and under, senior men (50-59), mid-senior men (60-69), super senior men (70-79), seasoned seniors (80+), women (59 and under), senior women (60+), the gross division, senior (50+) gross division, mid-senior (60+) gross division and women’s gross division. There is also a “Just For Fun” flight, created for players who want to enjoy the experience without the pressure of competition.
While competition is initially what lures players to the tournament, it’s only part of what keeps them coming back. At the heart of the World Am’s appeal is the camaraderie among its participants and much of that kinship is fostered at the “World’s Largest 19th Hole.”
Each night of the event, the 19th Hole overtakes all 120,000 square feet of the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, providing participants with free food and drinks, live entertainment, celebrity guest appearances, a golf expo and more. Among the big names that have appeared at the 19th Hole in recent years are David Feherty, Brandel Chamblee, Charlie Rymer and John Daly.
Players also receive a gift bag that includes a polo, pullover, golf towel, logo’d hat, PGA TOUR Superstore gift card and an assortment of other goodies valued cumulatively at $250.
The World Am is one of 13 events run by the Golf Tourism Solutions tournament division.