Players from 34 countries are among the 3,400-plus competitors teeing it up in the world’s largest golf tournament - the Myrtle Beach World Amateur Handicap Championship.

The 31st Myrtle Beach World Amateur Handicap Championship is underway with golfers from all over the world participating.

Players from 34 countries are among the 3,400-plus competitors teeing it up in the world’s largest golf tournament, being played now August 25-29 over 60 courses on Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand.

While Canada has the most international participants, outside of the United States, the emerging golf nations of China (20 players) and Brazil (14 players) are represented. There are also international entries from: Australia, Austria, Bermuda, Costa Rica, Germany, Ghana, Guam, Guatemala, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jamaica, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Panama, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom, United States-Outlying Islands, Venezuela and the Virgin Islands.

It is the third consecutive year that the field for the Myrtle Beach World Amateur Handicap Championship has increased. Strong demand in the United States includes entries from 48 states and Washington DC.

The World Amateur ‘World’s Largest 19th Hole’, a centralized location all week for interactive exhibits and a reception at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, has also increased in size to 80 exhibitors.

“The increase in participation by international golfers continues to show that Myrtle Beach and the World Amateur Handicap Championship are an attractive and iconic golf destination worldwide,” said Jeff Monday, the World Amateur Handicap Championship tournament director.

“Our country count is up by more than 25 percent this year, which speaks to the growing appeal of the event to international players.”

This year marks the third time China has sent qualifiers to the World Amateur, the result of approximately 1,000 entries into 12 nationwide qualifying tournaments and a final qualifier, the World Amateur Handicap Championship China.

The inaugural U.S.-Sino Cup team competition, matching 12 Chinese players against 12 from the United States, was held in China in early July and the Chinese team won. The 2015 U.S.-Sino Cup is scheduled in conjunction with the World Amateur Handicap Championship in Myrtle Beach. Most of the 2015 American team – 10 of the 12 players – will be determined from the gross division that debuts at this year’s World Amateur. The other team members will be Captain’s Picks, as chosen by Monday, the U.S. Captain.

To learn more about Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, go to:
http://www.myrtlebeachgolfholiday.com

To learn more about the Myrtle Beach World Amateur Handicap Championship, go to: http://www.worldamgolf.com

Picture Caption: Final preparations are under way for the 31st Myrtle Beach World Amateur Handicap Championship