The DuPont World Amateur Handicap Championship, the world's largest amateur golf tournament, is played the last week in August every year. It will be played for its 17th year in Myrtle Beach in 2000, on more than 50 courses. The DuPont Company of Wilmington, Delaware, is the title sponsor of the tournament, which is owned by Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. All types of golfers from all locations compete in the World Am. It began with 680 golfers and has grown to more than 4,200 players.
Many participants return year after year to renew golfing friendships and play in a fun tournament.
It's a true spectacle when they all bring their guests and gather in the convention center each evening to view scores and swap stories. Just the socializing alone, lubricated by a wide variety of libations, is enough to bring most folks back annually. Players fly and drive to Myrtle Beach from every state and 20 or more foreign countries. The greatest number of golfers, of course, play in the men's division, although senior men and super seniors are loyal to the tournament, and the number of women increases every year. Participants have been as old as 86 and as young as 16.