MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Golf rounds have surged over the last 14 months and it appears that players, having worked on their game at home, are ready to return to the competitive arena.
Two thousand seven hundred and twenty players have already registered for the 38th annual PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com World Amateur Handicap Championship, which will be played August 30 – September 3 on 60 Myrtle Beach area courses. Players from all 50 states and 10 countries have signed up for the 72-hole, net stroke play event.
“We are delighted with registration numbers and can’t wait for the return of the complete World Am experience in 2021,” Tournament Director Scott Tomasello said. “Last year was a difficult one, but people are eager for a return to normal and for thousands of golfers, that means the opportunity to compete in the World Am. We look forward to welcoming players to Myrtle Beach in a safe, fun environment.”
In addition to the opportunity to claim the mantle of World Champion, the reopening of the World’s Largest 19th Hole has certainly driven interest in this year’s event. The 19th Hole, which takes up all 120,000 square feet of the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, is the heartbeat of the event, providing players free food and drink, live entertainment, a golf expo and more.
Entry into the tournament, which includes at least four rounds of golf, nightly admission to the World’s Largest 19th Hole and a gift bag, is $559 through June 3rd a $120 savings off the regular cost.
While much of the 2021 tournament will look familiar to players, there will be two new women’s divisions this year. For the first time, there will be a women’s gross division, and the ladies, who previously had just one age group, will be split into two groups – 59 and under and 60 and older.
The World Am, which flights players based on age, gender and handicap, is open to all golfers 17 years of age and older.
The World Am flights players into 11 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 World Am experience without the pressure of competition.
After four days of competition, all flight winners and ties advance to the World Championship Playoff at Grande Dunes Resort Course for an 18-hole shootout that crowns the event’s winner.
While the 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.
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 will also receive a gift bag that includes a polo, a pullover, a golf towel, a logo’d hat, a PGA Tour Superstore gift card and an assortment of other goodies valued cumulatively at $250.
For more information, please visit www.MyrtleBeachWorldAmateur.com.
