Where Competition Meets Vacation – Chris Schultz’s World Am Journey

Chris Schultz has always been competitive.

As a kid, it was baseball. Golf was there too — nine holes with his dad down the street from their house, starting when he was just three or four years old. In Illinois, golf filled the fall and baseball owned the spring. For a while, he was able to balance both. 

But once he got to college, the seasons overlapped. 

The baseball coach let him compete in golf meets — but not practice. 

So he stuck with baseball. 

When baseball ended and full-time work began, something shifted. 

Golf became the focus. 

From Scratch to Elite Amateur 

Chris didn’t just “play more.” 

He committed. 

Driving range at lunch. Balls before work. Balls after work. 

He went from scratch… to better than scratch. 

Soon, he was entering high-level amateur events — U.S. Open qualifiers, the U.S. Amateur, the USGA Mid-Amateur. At first, competitive golf was a learning curve. He could shoot in the 70s — but consistency under pressure took time. 

By 2016, things clicked. 

He advanced through the USGA Mid-Am. In 2018, he qualified again and reached match play at Charlotte Country Club. 
 
In 2025, he qualified once more — heading to Arizona to compete again on a national stage. 

He understands elite competition. 

Which is why his perspective on the Play Golf Myrtle Beach World Amateur Championship carries weight. 

“I Didn’t Know What to Expect” 

For four or five years, friends encouraged him to try the World Am. Work always got in the way. 

But when he finally made the trip to Myrtle Beach, he wasn’t sure what to expect. 

“I was kind of nervous,” he admits. 

He didn’t need to be. In 2023, he became the Men’s Gross champion. 

He went out and played phenomenally. Word spread quickly. Friends from his bowling league — whose season had just started — were texting congratulations. 

But what stood out wasn’t just the performance. 

It was the balance. 

The Perfect Mixture 

“For me, it’s the perfect mixture between competition and fun,” Chris says. 

That’s coming from someone who plays USGA championships. 

The World Am offers something rare in amateur golf — a true four-day stroke play event. For competitive players, that matters. It’s a real test. You’re not playing a one-day qualifier. You’re grinding over multiple rounds. 

But it also feels like a mini vacation. 

The first couple of years, Chris came with friends. By year three, they brought their families. 

While he’s on the course, his family is at the beach. Shopping. Exploring. Relaxing. 

Then everyone reconnects at dinner — or at the World’s Largest 19th Hole. 

“You come here, you see all the new golf stuff. There are great people. Different personalities. I’ve never had a bad round where I didn’t like the group I was paired with.” 

That combination — serious golf during the day, relaxed atmosphere at night — is what makes the event unique. 

Four Days. One Experience. 

As an amateur, playing four days of competitive stroke play is rare. Chris can only think of one other tournament near home that offers that format. 

At the World Am, you get both: 

You get to compete. You get to chase a win. And even if you don’t, you still walk away having had a blast. 

For a player who has competed at the highest amateur levels in the country, that says something. 

The World Am isn’t just about the best players. It’s about the full experience. 

Whether you’re trying to win your flight or simply enjoy four days immersed in the game you love, the balance is there. 

Chris Schultz came to test his game. 

He left realizing he’d found something he plans to return to — year after year. 

Last Chance for Early Bird Registration Savings!

Tax Day isn’t just about filing your 1040 in time to satisfy Uncle Sam’s needs; t’s also your last chance to get the best available price for entry into the world’s largest amateur golf tournament! Golfers who register during the current early registration period – which ends after Wednesday, April 15 – can secure their spot in the Play Golf Myrtle Beach World Amateur Championship for just $649.

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Full Slate of Top-Shelf Entertainment & Amenities for 2026 at “The World’s Largest 19th Hole”

St. André Golf returns in 2026 to host “The World’s Largest 19th Hole” at this year’s Play Golf Myrtle Beach World Amateur Championship – and they’re bringing the heat to a full menu of hospitality offerings! High atop the list of encore elements is Karaoke Night, back with another chance for you to be the star of the show! And when you’re not busy carrying a tune with Aaron, Hannah, Jonathan and the St. André crew, you can join them as they’re hosting the popular long putt and par 3 contests over in the exhibit hall for a chance to win nightly prizes.

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Early Random Drawing Prize Winners Announced!

Congratulations to all the winners of our early registration random drawing prizes! Prize recipients are listed below and will be able to claim their prize at the Random Drawing Prize table at “The World’s Largest 19th Hole” celebration at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, which will be in operation Monday through Thursday evenings during World Am Week.

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