With over 100 of the best golf courses in
the U.S. stretched 60 miles alongside the Atlantic Ocean, where else could you
possibly host the World Amateur Handicap Championship other than Myrtle Beach,
South Carolina? I first heard about the World Amateur Handicap
Championship at the 2013 Toronto Golf and Travel Show. I was introduced to Jeff
Monday, the event's tournament director, who talked to me about this event that
has happened the last week of August in Myrtle Beach since 1984. At first it
sounded intimidating – "the World Am"- especially to a guy who has never played
competitive golf other than a five dollar nassau on weekends with his friends.
But after hearing more and talking to a few guys who had played the year before
I was sold.
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As the names suggests, this is the place to
play for amateur golfers who want to see how their game stacks up against
others with a similar handicap. Affectionately referred to as the "Everyman's
U.S. Open", it doesn't matter if you're a 6, 16 or 36 handicap, there is a
flight for everyone. In addition to flights, players can compete in a specific
age category - 4 age divisions for men (49 and under, senior men 50-59, mid
senior men 60-69, and super senior men 70 and above) and one for women. Don't
worry about sandbaggers. The organizers of the World Am carefully scrutinize
every player's handicap so everyone is competing on a fair and level playing
field.
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Crow Creek |
This year was a milestone in the World Am's
history as 2013 marked the 30th anniversary of the event. Over 3,000
golfers from 27 countries competed in 70 different flights for the coveted
World Am title. The format is individual net stroke play. Golfers play 18 holes
per day over four days on four different championship courses. Of the 100+
courses located along the Grand Strand more than 60 of the best participate as
a host club for the World Am Championship. After four days of competition all
flight winners (and ties) advance to the fifth round "Flight Winner's Playoff"
where one golfer emerges as the World Champion. As competitive as the event is, it's
equally as fun. The 19th hole, or the après golf party, takes place
every night at the Myrtle Beach Convention Centre. It is here that all the
players and their guests come to indulge in free food and drinks, visit the 60-vendor
golf expo and enjoy the live entertainment. In the past the likes of David Feherty,
Annika Sorenstam, Dave Pelz, Charlie Rymer and Brandel Chamblee have engaged
World Am participants with their quick wit and stories about their lives and
the PGA Tour.
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Barefoot Resort Norman Course |
Throughout the week, I had the pleasure of
playing with several excellent golfers, many of whom had played in this event
before. One of my playing companions told me this was his 14th year
competing in the World Am. As a first time player I was curious what brought
him back year after year. "This event provides the opportunity to compete, feel
your nerves tighten and your knees knock on the first tee," he said. "There's
nothing like this in the U.S. for amateur golfers. For a week I get to
experience something as close to what a tour pro would feel competing in a PGA
Tour event. That's what brings me back every year."
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Blackmoor |
Another of my playing partners, a 9-year
tournament veteran from Georgia, was equally passionate about playing in the
World Am. "When I flip my yearly calendar over the first thing I do is circle
the dates of the World Am and book the last week of August off from work. Then I
book off Thanksgiving and Christmas."
Chris King, the Communication Director for
Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, summed up the meaning of the World Am best. "This is
a golfer's event, people enjoy the game, they like competing," he told me. "But
it's a lot more than 72 holes of golf, it's the 19th hole, the
people you meet and the friendships you make while you're here. That's what the
World Am is all about. It's a celebration of golf."
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Shaftesbury Glen |
For decades I've enjoyed the game of golf
but playing in the World Am for the first time was one of the best things I've
ever done. Not only did I learn about myself, I learned about what makes golf
so great. Bobby Jones once said, "There is golf and then there is tournament
golf." So true. In addition to having a great time I learned that if you truly
want to develop as a golfer, improve your game and learn about your inner self,
play tournament golf. So check out the World Am for yourself. 3,000 golfers, 72
holes, 1 champion and memories for a lifetime. I guarantee you'll love the
experience.
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For Tournament Information and
Registration:
www.worldamgolf.com,
1-800-833-8798
For Information about Myrtle Beach:
www.golfholiday.com
www.VisitMyrtleBeach.ca
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