The event, held Nov. 20-25, was an adventure for both players. For Comings, it served as a maiden trip to China. The Odenton, Md., native plays out of Crofton Country Club, and an early winter left him little opportunity to polish his game. After a 15-hour flight, Comings arrived at Ancient Saltern Golf Club, met his caddie and battled a 20-mph wind in a picturesque setting.
Comings paid dearly for a handful of loose swings, carding a triple- and quadruple-bogey on the way to an opening 82. He rebounded with rounds of 74-80 to finish inside the top 30.
Oyervides, meanwhile, logged rounds of 75-75-76 with his father on the bag and tied for 13th. It had been a goal for the Greer, S.C., resident to finish inside the top 10.
Either way, the International Amateur was a bucket-list trip for the World Am winners, and the cultural experiences were unforgettable. Comings detailed a memorable meal in downtown Yangpu, the city in which he stayed, that featured food served in its natural state – i.e., a chicken with the head still attached.
“It was the experience of a lifetime,” Comings said.
Providing such adventures is a hallmark of the World Am, which also annually sends the winners of the International Pairs event to Europe.
Information from Myrtle Beach World Amateur used in this report