Do you want to play in the Biggest Amateur Tournament Ever?

Written by Mel Sole on June 24, 2016. Posted in Amateur Golf

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Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is the golf capital of the world! So, to get an opportunity to visit is always fun. But to compete in the biggest worldwide tournament and actually have a chance to win is an absolute must!

Thanks to Tim Gavrich of Golf Vacation Insider for posting this article and allowing your readers to get an early bird discount. To subscribe to Golf Vacation Insider – go here!

Do you know why these golfers are excited?

They’re having the time of their lives at what I believe to be one of the “most fun” and “best value” golf experiences on the planet. I’m talking about the Myrtle Beach World Amateur, coming up from August 29 through September 2.

A Golf Tournament?! Yes, a golf tournament. But not just any golf tournament. Now in its 33rd year, the Myrtle Beach World Amateur is the largest amateur golf tournament in the world. Last year, more than 3,400 players descended on “Golftown, U.S.A.” for a week full of golf, camaraderie…and a whole lotta fun. In fact, it’s more like a 4-round golf vacation with a little friendly competition thrown in. And as a Golf Vacation Insider reader, you can get a sweet discount on what is already a super rate to play in this amazing, bucket-list event. More on that in a minute. First, let me explain why the “World Am” is so insanely popular.

A Fun Event You Might Actually Win… We all know winning isn’t everything, but boy is it nice to have a real shot at it once in a while. Well, the World Am is a handicapped event, so no matter your skill level, you will play in one of more than 60 flights (groups) against players of similar skill. How similar? Well, last year, there was an entire flight (48 golfers) made up entirely of those with handicap indexes of 12.4 to 12.6. And if you’re concerned about sandbaggers ruining your chances to win fair and square…don’t be. The World Am’s tournament staff has decades of experience ferreting out cheaters and they are not shy about disqualifying anyone trying to game the system. Bottom line, you’ll be competing against players of similar skill and age… The tournament divides flights into 49-and-under, 50-to-59, 60-to-69 and 70-and-over for men. There are multiple women’s flights, too.

By the way, the World Am has a Gross Division for more experienced players who want to compete “straight-up” against their peers. I played in the gross division in 2014, and it was an absolute blast. Play on Some of Myrtle Beach’s Best Golf Courses…in their Best Condition All Year Because of the sheer size of the World Am, the tournament uses more than 60 of the Myrtle Beach area’s wonderful golf courses. These have included some Golfweek-ranked beauties… Barefoot Resort, Dye (ranked 13th) Caledonia (ranked 5th) Grande Dunes – Resort Club (ranked 15th) Heritage (ranked 14th) Legends, Moorland (ranked 12th) Tidewater (ranked 7th) TPC Myrtle Beach (ranked 11th) True Blue Golf Plantation (ranked 6th) You’ll play a different course each day, giving you a true feel for the awesomeness of Myrtle Beach as a golf destination. And, in an effort to “show off” for tournament participants, the greenkeepers at all the courses strive to get them in absolute peak summer condition, giving every round a real “tournament feel.” But don’t worry — tees are set up at appropriate distances for all, and plenty of gross and net birdies and eagles are made during the week.