MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The 40th annual PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com World Amateur Handicap Championship will begin accepting entries for the milestone event February 15. A 72-hole, net stroke play tournament, the World Am will be played Aug. 28 – Sept. 1 and more than 3,200 players from across the world are again expected to participate. 

Early entry into the tournament, which includes at least four rounds of golf, nightly admission to the World’s Largest 19th Hole and a gift bag, is $599 through March 23, a $100 savings off the regular cost. Players that register by March 23 will also be eligible to win one of 67 random drawing prizes valued at more than $10,000 from brands such as TaylorMade, REVO and more.

“The World Am is the game’s premier recreational tournament, and the fact we have arrived at Year 40 and continue to attract a robust field is a testament to the event’s enduring appeal,” said tournament director Scott Tomasello. “We can’t wait to welcome golfers back to Myrtle Beach and provide them the opportunity to compete like a pro over the course of 72 holes and earn the title of World Champion. With everything we have planned for this year’s tournament, especially at the World’s Largest 19th Hole, 2023 will be a great for our players.”

The World Am, which will be played on more than 50 Myrtle Beach area golf courses, flights players based on age, gender and handicap and is open to all golfers 17 years of age and older with a verifiable USGA handicap.

The World Am flights players into 12 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, mid-senior (60+) 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 tournament play, all flight winners and ties advance to the World Championship Playoff, 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 also receive a gift bag that includes a polo, pullover, golf towel, logo’d hat, PGA Tour Superstore gift card and an assortment of other goodies valued cumulatively at $250.

For more information, please visit www.MyrtleBeachWorldAmateur.com.