[Mark Gardiner of Illinois, pictured left]
MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina (August
26,
2014) -- If the new scratch division keeps
growing like this, the World Amateur Handicap
Championship might have to change its name
to the "World Amateur Handicap (or no
handicap) Championship."
That's because 50 players registered for
the inaugural scratch division this year, in a
tournament that has been traditionally known
for its flighted play. With 3405 players broken
down over an amazing 76 divisions at more
than 50 different courses, there has always
been plenty of single digit handicappers in the
event. But here's the thing -- they were
always using their handicap (no matter how
small or even if it was a plus) to figure the
winner of their flight.
Now, players who enter the scratch flight
play without handicaps, similar to any other
major amateur event. And at the end of the
week, there is additional incentive to be one of
the lower scores. Those lucky players get to
represent the USA against their counterparts
from China at a later date in a set of matches
called the Sino-USA Cup that was launched in
July. [Read a story about my
experience in those matches]
Lyon Lazare posted two solid rounds of 73-
74 to lead the new scratch division; he's two
shots in front of Zachary Knott and Mark
Gardiner. Gardiner, of Illinois, has been having
a great summer after qualifying for the US
Senior Amateur and nearly making the US Mid
Am (he's first alternate).
ROUNDS OF THE TOURNAMENT (SO FAR)
In scanning just the 2nd flight (played at
Net) and the 1st Senior Flight (Age 50-59, also
played at net) I found two interesting players.
The first one, a plus-2 handicapper named
Shawn Eric King, fired gross scores of 67-69
for 36 holes but his net was four higher since
he was "giving back" two shots to
the field each day. He's tied with a 4-handicap
golfer who posted rounds of 77-75. That's the
handicap system working. King must have a
method to his madness in the way he selected
his flight; maybe he will wind up as a captain's
pick in the next Sino-USA Cup.
In the Senior Division, Brian James in the
50-59 bracket fired 67 today at Crown Park on
top of an 80 yesterday; that puts him in third
position Net but likely feeling pretty good
about his prospects heading into Wednesday's
third round.
FUN CONTINUES OFF THE COURSE
Players gather in the Myrtle Beach
convention center for all sorts of festivities
including the "World's Biggest 19th
hole" with Sirius-XM radio personalities
Brian Katrek and John Maginnes broadcasting
their "On Tap" program live each
afternoon.
View results for Myrtle Beach World Am
ABOUT THE
Myrtle Beach World Am
"The largest amateur golf tournament in
the
world" now has 4 gross divisions. The event
attracts
3500
players annually. Barefoot Resort is just
one of
over 40 of Myrtle Beach area’s
championship
courses on which this tournament is
contested.
The winner of each flight competes on the
fifth
day for the overall title.
View Complete Tournament Information