43 YEARS 3,000 GOLFERS, ONE WEEK
MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina – My favorite golf tournament of the year tees off this week in the “Golf Capital of the World” and I am playing!
I ponied up the $700 entry fee, booked a room at Caravelle Resort https://www.thecaravelle.com/ for six days and rented a KIA from Thrifty Car Rental https://www.thrifty.com/us for the week.
The Myrtle Beach World Amateur Handicap Championship, which is celebrating its 43rd year, is a four day, 72 hole tournament consisting of 12 divisions, 58 competitive flights while using 55 golf courses spread out in what is fondly referred as the “Grand Strand.”
We’re down to the final hours before thousands of players from throughout the United States and around the globe descend once more upon Myrtle Beach – “The Golf Capital of the World” to experience the largest, most fun tournament on the planet. Every night the Myrtle Beach Convention Center hosts the “Worlds’ Largest 19th Hole” featuring unlimited food open bar, music, games and lots more off-course merriment.
The 43rd edition 0f the Play Golf Myrtle Beach World Amateur Championship kicks off this weekend with player registration at the PGA TOUR Superstore location in Myrtle Beach on Saturday August 30 and 31.
* 2,986 players are registered this year, competing in 12 divisions, 58 competitive flights and 3 “Just For Fun” flights.
* 2,683 men and 303 women are 2026 World Am participants.
* 747 players (25 percent of the total field) are first-time participants.
* 55 golf courses will be played throughout the week.
* 30 courses will be in use each day of the tournament.
* 48 states are represented this year, along with 19 foreign countries including Canada, Italy, Brazil, Bermuda and Great Britain.
* 5 players in this year’s field – Gerald States, Paul Ciancanelli, Don Yelton, Dean Tedder, and Ray Zajicek – have played all 43 years.
* 37 exhibitors will be on display throughout World Am Week for the “World’s Largest 19th Hole” including Hyperice, Style Driver, Golf Shoes of America, The Salty Golfer, and many more.
* The top 5 states represented in this year’s field include Florida (350 players), South Carolina (350), North Carolina (338), Texas (199), and Virginia (197).
* 20 local restaurant vendors will be offering culinary delights at this year’s 19th Hole including Angelo’s Steak & Pasta, Big Mike’s Soul Food, Beachfront Kitchen & Bar, Village Bar & Grill, and many more.
The average tournament index is 13.2.
If you’re an average player and you don’t want to break your golf budget, then this a road trip you want to book. You’ll be paired in a division of about 50 players each about the same age and skill level. You hit every shot in the hole for 72 holes but the highest score you can post on one hole is 9, to keep play moving.
I am locked & loaded and ready to go so let the fun begin!
