World Amateur Golf Tournament a Myrtle Beach Tradition

Will you come to see what you’re made of?

The World Amateur golf tournament is set for Myrtle Beach Aug. 29-Sept. 2. It’s the biggest, most fun, most lucrative golf tournament out there. More than 3,000 golfers will compete on more than 50 of the Grand Strand’s finest courses.

The tournament, in its 39th year, is 72 holes of net, stroke play — and an incredible experience.

Who Can Play?

Anyone. And anyone can win, too. This isn’t your average weekly league event. This is the world’s biggest, most inclusive tournament. Scratch golfers to 36 handicaps will compete in flights by age, gender, and handicap.

Gross division winners will take part in the championship round. They’ll also get an exemption into a top-flight amateur event.

It’s not all about the prizes and competition, though. Some players come without handicaps and don’t keep score. The Just For Fun Flight is for good friends and golf clubs, nothing else!

What About Fair Handicapping and Payouts?

All you need to play is a valid World Handicap System index or an international equivalent.

Also, the tournament goes by net, stroke play, to level the playing field. Organizers here are pros at scrutinizing handicaps before and during the event. That’s important, with payouts for top-5 finishes (400 winners.)

Top finishers get an awesome gift card from the PGA Tour Superstore. Even if it isn’t your weekend for great golf, you could win a random drawing for prizes. Some $30,000 is up for grabs each year, some even to an entire flight, completely at random.

Where Will We Play?

Myrtle Beach is the Golf Capital of the World, so playing on 50 courses here is an amazing experience.

Here is a glimpse of a handful of courses included. Check out the tournament website for a complete rundown.

BLACKMOOR GOLF CLUB: It’s Gary Player’s only signature course on the Grand Strand. It’s on Longwood Plantation, running along the Waccamaw River. Blackmoor is a pleasure to play.

BURNING RIDGE GOLF CLUB: It’s a delight of a layout, with personality. Enjoy mounded fairways and wide bunkers, but also smooth putting surfaces. If you can play here, you can play anywhere, they say.

RIVER OAKS: It features nine-hole courses called Bear, Fox, and Otter. The course opened in 1987, and was recently upgraded to Champion Bermuda greens. It was the area’s 27th golf course built.

If you’ve played before, you’ll not get assigned to the same course again. The tournament’s mission is to keep players on fresh layouts every year. The goal: No repeats for at least three years.

Ready to Register?

It’s as close as many of us will ever get to a PGA Tour event. Come play for fun on a weekend at the World Amateur, and who knows? You might be playing for a victory on the final day.