MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Hank Haney, one of golf’s most acclaimed teachers, will be a featured guest at the 38th annual PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com World Amateur Handicap Championship, appearing at the World Largest 19th Hole on Tuesday, August 31.
A 72-hole, net stroke play event, the World Am has attracted more than 3,500 players from all 50 states and will be played August 29 – September 3. Haney’s appearance will headline the entertainment lineup at the ever-popular 19th Hole.
Haney will appear on the 19th Hole mainstage, regaling tournament participants with stories of his life as a golf coach, part of a conversation that will be hosted by former PGA Tour player and media personality Charlie Rymer. Haney, who has worked with more than 200 PGA Tour players, most notably Tigers Woods and Mark O’Meara, will also have a meet-and-greet at the Blade & Bow VIP Lounge, in addition to competing in a long-putt competition against tournament players to raise money for Project Golf, a Myrtle Beach-based grow the game initiative.
“Hank Haney is one of golf’s premier instructors, and we look forward to welcoming him to the PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com World Amateur Handicap Championship,” tournament director Scott Tomasello said. “Hank understands the game and the unique pressures of tournament golf as well as anyone, which makes him perfect for the World Am. His appearance at the World’s Largest 19th Hole will be one of the highlights of this year’s tournament.”
Early entry into the event, which includes at least four rounds of golf, nightly admission to the World’s Largest 19th Hole and a gift bag, is $679. The last day to register for the tournament was August 4.
While much of the 2021 tournament will look familiar to players, there will be two new women’s divisions. 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 nine 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 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 will advance to the World Championship Playoff at the Grande Dunes Resort Course, 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.
Each night of the event, the 19th Hole overtakes all 120,000-square feet of the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, providing participants with free food and drinks, live entertainment, celebrity guest appearances, a golf expo and more. 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.
