Under blue skies and abundant sunshine, more than 3,300 players teed off in the Golf.com World Amateur Handicap Championship Monday morning.
Excitement surrounding the 30th event has been building and Mother Nature was cooperative on opening day as players from 46 states, including Major League Baseball legend Roger Clemens, and 27 countries began competing for the right to be crowned World Champion.
Golfers are separated into 70 flights, based on age, gender and handicap. Sixty-four Myrtle Beach golf courses are hosting the event throughout the week, culminating with the World Championship Playoff on Friday at the Barefoot Resort’s Dye Club.
Following the completion of play today, players will gather for a big night at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, which doubles as the World’s Largest 19th Hole, for an evening of free food and drink, live entertainment, a 60-booth golf exhibit and much more.
Highlighting festivities at the 19th Hole Monday night will be a performance by comedian Henry Cho.
Cho’s TV and film credits include appearances on NBC’s The Tonight Show, CBS’s The Late, Late, Show, and NBC’s Young Comedians Special. He served two years as host of NBC’s Friday Night Videos and had many guest roles on various network sitcoms. Cho’s one-hour Comedy Central Special, “What’s That Clickin Noise?” is currently running and he can also be heard on Sirius, XM and Blue Collar Radio.
Golf Magazine’s Travelin’ Joe Passov will also appear at the 19th Hole this evening, discussing all things golf travel, including the magazine’s recent release of its ranking of the World and America’s Top 100 courses.
Golf Channel star Charlie Rymer will emcee the festivities, bringing his keen sense of humor and an insider’s perspective to the stage.
The Swingin’ Medallions, a 51-year-old Southern tradition, will provide live music in the ballroom. The band was made famous by its 1.5 million selling hit album “Double Shot of My Baby’s Love.” Fred Pugh, one of 11 participants who have played in every World Am, was one of the band’s original members and will join them on-stage.
