World Am starts in Myrtle Beach; ties atop gross divisions

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (Aug. 27, 2018) – The list of flights at the 35th PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com World Amateur Handicap Championship goes 65 deep. It starts with a “gross” division and ends with a “just for fun” division. There is even a 41-player division for “seasoned seniors,” which features players 80 years old and above.

By the time the tournament is complete, 55 area courses will have hosted at least one round of the tournament that features 3,200 golfers from 49 states and 26 countries.

Nothing about the iconic amateur event, hosted each year at Myrtle Beach, S.C., area courses is small scale, right down to post-round activities. Each night players gather at the World’s Largest 19th Hole, which consumes all 120,000-square-feet of the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Tournament players and a guest enjoy free food and drinks, a 70-exhibitor golf expo, live entertainment, demo areas and celebrity appearances.

The 19th Hole is now open!!! #mbworldam pic.twitter.com/4sH4Gd0M9S

— Golf Holiday Events (@MBGHEvents) August 27, 2018

The whole concept is based around a player’s handicap, but the tournament also includes gross divisions. After Monday’s first round, Tim Gavrich and Chris Dyches share a one-shot lead in that division. Both players posted 71 at International Club.

There’s also a senior gross division for players 50 years and older. That division kicked off the first round at Barefoot Resort’s Love course, and three players are tied at 72: Robert Wilson, Roger Oliver and Ed Leightner.

At the end of the week, winners of each flight (and any ties) will play in a Friday championship round.