6 amateur golf tournaments worth playing

What do thousands of Myrtle Beach-bound golfers know that you don’t?

The thrill of competition. Amateur tournaments like the annual Myrtle Beach World Am and many others give players like you and me the chance to feel what the pros feel on a weekly basis.

(I played in the World Am a few weeks ago, to see what all the fuss is about, and let me tell you - it's the real deal).

If you tee it up in one of these events, you'll notice your heart pumping a bit more than it does in your weekly $2 Nassau. Plus, you'll get to meet fellow avid golfers and make new friends and lasting memories, which is part of what makes golf so special.

Bottom line: if you haven't played in one of these events, you're missing out. Let me show you:

Myrtle Beach World Amateur – Myrtle Beach, SC area
Traditional dates: late August-early September
Cost: $550-$650 (but be on the lookout for early registration discounts)
The Lowdown: The granddaddy of ‘em all, this event attracted more than 3,400 amateurs from every state and more than a dozen countries in 2014 for its 31st edition. With more than 50 flights (one flight at the 2014 event was for golfers with indexes from 12.2 to 12.5!), more than 60 of the area’s courses host tournament rounds. The winner of each flight advances to the Championship Round, with the lowest net scorer being crowned World Champion at day’s end. Each evening of the tournament, the Myrtle Beach Convention Center turns into the “World’s Largest 19th Hole,” with food, contests and numerous open bars for competitors and guests (included with each player’s entry fee).

Also, if you’re concerned about sandbaggers, perish the thought—the World Am’s organizers pride themselves on making sure the playing field is level. They’ve even disqualified would-be World Champs in the past due to handicap discrepancies WorldAmGolf.com

Las Vegas World Amateur – Las Vegas, NV area
Traditional dates: February
Cost: $750-$850
The Lowdown: Even though Las Vegas is bigger and glitzier by a comfortable margin than Myrtle Beach, the Las Vegas World Am is a relatively stripped-down affair. With a maximum of four tournament rounds rather than five, and a six-course rotation rather than a few dozen, it is nonetheless a “big” event by most standards, and one that attracts a loyal following. And with tracks like Bali Hai and Desert Pines appearing on numerous must-play lists of Vegas courses, it’s a sure bet that you’re going to enjoy the experience. VegasWorldAmateur.com

Mesquite Amateur – Mesquite, NV area
Traditional dates: May
Cost: $550-$650
The Lowdown: Do you like Nevada’s mix of desert and mountain scenery but want to try to avoid the headache-inducing lights and aceaseless action of Las Vegas? Mesquite fills that desire nicely, and the Mesquite Am, now heading toward its 16th year in 2018. Keeping with the format of other similar events, players play three tournament rounds (over seven courses, in the case of the Mesquite Am) and can advance to a fourth, the “Championship Round". Other layouts used could include the Jack Nicklaus Signature-designed Coyote Springs, the Arnold Palmer-designed Oasis Golf Club and one of the area’s newest challenges, Conestoga. casablancaresort.com/golf/mesquite-amateur/

Lithia Pacific Amateur Golf Classic – Bend and Sunriver, OR
Traditional dates: September.
Cost: $500-$600
The Lowdown: We admit that timing may be more than a little tight for this year’s “Pac Am,” but with about 400 players set to tee it up for three days at six courses in the Beaver State, it should definitely be on your radar for next year. Given that September high temperatures in Bend average about 74, with little threat of precipitation (it’s the driest month of the year, on average), we can scarcely think of a massive amateur golf tournament that will offer better weather than the Pac Am. PacAmGolf.com

The Broadmoor Invitation
Traditional dates: July
Cost: $4,000-up (player and non-playing guest; player handicap limit of 12)
The Lowdown: Given its history, positioning as an invitational event, and pricing compared to the other events here, The Broadmoor Invitation is quite the special event. But considering the site is one of America’s best golf resorts, the fact that accommodations are included (unlike the other events) and the extras beyond the four days of golf (opening and closing dinner and reception, a cookout one evening, a wine tasting the next, a culinary demonstration the following day, a guided history tour of the resort, a $50 spa credit per person), it’s easier to reconcile the price tag. If you’ve ever wanted to splurge a bit and are curious about the Broadmoor, I can think of no better way to experience the resort. broadmoor.com/activities/golf/broadmoor-invitational/

NEWCOMER: Myrtle Beach Fall Classic – Myrtle Beach, SC area
Traditional dates: November
Cost: $650 per team (two-person event)
The Lowdown: A brand-new event launched in 2014 because of the success of the late-summer Myrtle Beach World Am, the Fall Classic sold out in 2017. The two-person team competition features a course rotation that includes the best courses the Grand Strand has to offer, from Caledonia and True Blue to TPC Myrtle Beach to two of Barefoot Resort’s four acclaimed layouts. MyrtleBeachFallClassic.com

Have you played in any of these tournaments or others like them? Know of other great amateur events we missed?

Please share your thoughts or read what others are saying in the "comments" below.

Tim Gavrich is a Senior Writer for GolfPass. Follow him on Twitter @TimGavrich and on Instagram @TimGavrich.
10 Comments

I have been playing in two annual two person best ball events in the Palm Springs area in late April & Early May for many years, I didnt see them on here so I thought I would share them. The Battle in the Desert is in its 18th year held over a week including your accommodations we play at Bermuda Dunes CC, Desert Willow - Firecliff and a five day Best Ball where the last day is combined aggregate at the world famous PGA WEST & La Quinta Resort. Awesome player tee packages and many on course skills comps. OH AND UNLIMITED REPLAY AFTER YOUR MORNING ROUND. HOW MANY TIMES CAN YA PLAY TPC STADIUM IN A WEEK. Cant make a week play in their shorter event the Shootout at PGA WEST same great format just over three days and only played at PGA WEST & La Quinta. Lots of players from all over the country and many come from Canada, like myself.

Jim Snow
Vanouver BC

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I've played in the Myrtle Beach World Am the last 8 years and the Fall Classic 2-man event the past 2 years. The World Am is the best of the 2 events, with 4 rounds, nightly mixer for you and a guest, many players-3400. Great tournament and people from all over the world, 25 countries.

Looking for A USA golf trip that includes at least two courses, villas, houses or cottages accommodations. Eight golfers, eight bedrooms. Recently stayed at Reynolds Plantation and Berkley Hall. April, 2015, anywhere warm in April.

Hi Tom--
You can enter nine-hole scores into the GHIN system and be given an official handicap. I would recommend you establish a handicap at your local course and start entering both your 9- and 18-hole scores. After a few scores are posted, you'll have an official handicap. Then you'll be free and clear to enter a few net tournaments.
Be sure to let us know how it goes!
--Tim

I have a question with regards to handicaps. Since I really haven't played a lot of 18 hole rounds in a couple years how do these Tournaments calculate your HCP and Flight you should be entered in ? Not a sandbagger, just play a lot of 9 hole evenings and an occasional 18 hole round. Saw this article and it has peaked my interest. and at 58 am thinking I would like to try one for the experience.
Thank you,
Tom

Hi Dave--

I did some quick research and here are a couple suggestions:
- US Couples Golf Association - runs the US Mixed Team Championship in Muscle Shoals, AL, 9/26-28/14
- Couples Classic - Opelika, AL (run by the RTJ Golf Trail), 10/31-11-2/14
- It also appears there's a couples tournament at Etowah Valley GC in the North Carolina mountains in July

Hope this is helpful.
--Tim

Do they offer mixed couples events?

The best deal is
Carnoustie Classic in Scotland
You play Carnoustie and the 3 Open Qualifing Courses
Second week in May each year
Includes hotel 5 nights, 4 rounds

2 years ago it was 600 Pounds
Great deal

Hi Rich:

Per the tournament website:

<em>Entry includes:

Four (4) rounds of tournament golf
Green fee, cart fee, range
Welcome Reception & Registration Sunday afternoon
Beverages and hors d’oeuvres included
Awards Banquet Thursday evening
Dinner and beverages included
Myrtle Beach Fall Classic gift bag with logo hat & shirt
Top flight finishers awarded prizes
Daily contest prizes in each flight
Random Drawing Prizes</em>

Looks like a pretty good deal. If you end up playing, let us know how it goes!
--Tim

I am most interested in the Myrtle Beach Fall Classic. What does the entry fee include?

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6 amateur golf tournaments worth playing