Okay, we all know Tiger Woods is the best professional golfer in the world. Little argument there.

But who is the world's best amateur handicap player, the person who could go tee to tee with Tiger even though Mr. Woods in such a match obviously would have a ton more links skill?

Each year there is a tournament in Golftown USA -- Myrtle Beach, S. C., the world's largest golfing mecca, which would ostensibly determine such a person.

The event is called the DuPont Cool Max World Amateur Handicap Tournament and is designed to crown the duffer who for that particular week manages to use his or her handicap to shoot the week's lowest net golf score (totals reminiscent of Tiger's best days).

Each player in the 50 flights (divided by handicap rating, age and sex) comes into the tournament with a required United States Golf Association handicap card (basically showing how many extra strokes they need each round to reach par 72).

For example, a player with a handicap of 27 could have a net score of even par 72 by shooting a round of 99. Such a 27-handicap player could even shoot an 86 and wind up with a net score of 59.

That happened at least three times at the 2002 World Amateur.

Think Tiger could beat a 59? Doubtful, inasmuch as he has never shot that low.

How about a net 60? Or, 61, 62? Tiger might have trouble there, too. But there were lots of such net scores at the 2002 World Amateur.

These kinds of handicap net scores and many other par-bustin' net totals is perhaps the biggest problem with trying to conduct an international handicap tournament.

It seems likely that a great many trophy-hunting golfers inflate their handicaps before coming to the World Amateur in an attempt to gain a competitive edge. This is basically done by shooting a bunch of above-their-average scores prior to the tournament, boosting their handicap for the tournament. This in golf terminology is what is known as sandbagging.

And, judging from the numbers of players regularly shooting well under their handicap at the World Amateur the tournament might well be renamed The Sandbag Open or The Battle of Sandbag Hill.

By my unofficial count, more than 2,000 of the approximate 4,100 golfers at the 2003 even shot under their handicap more than once in the four-round tournament.

The USGA says only about 3 per cent of golfers are likely to beat their handicap on an average day. My unofficial count indicated about 90 per cent of the top 20 golfers in each of the 2003 World Amateur 50 flights beat their handicap two or more rounds (dozens beat their handicap every round, several by 10 per cent or more). My own scores in the tournament (96, 93, 96, 97) beat my handicap by a few shots each round (but I shot about 93 per cent of my normal handicap scores) to finish third in Flight 36.

All this makes for a colossal headache for tournament officials, who do an admirable job in trying to control obvious sandbagging. Scores are reviewed after each round, providing some leeway for the fact a golfer might have had an especially good day, with those shooting questionable handicap net scores called on the carpet before a handicap committee. Indeed, dozens of golfers are disqualified each year after each of the first three rounds and hundreds of handicaps are adjusted downward. Both men and women (sandbagettes?) are quizzed. So, give the tournament officials an A for effort on this score. But the magnitude of trying to regulate more than 4,000 golfers in such a short period of time is a daunting task, a logistical nightmare.

But despite all the seemingly sandbagging the tournament is an exciting and fun-filled event that for one week at least gives duffers a little bit of a feel for what it must be like for golfers on the PGA Tour.

Tournament rules are the same for the PGA Tour: No Mulligans, no gimmee putts, no improved lies. The pressure of trying to make a two-foot sidehill putt or blast out of a deep sand trap or trying to keep your ball out of the water is there for the ams just like for the pros.

For those hundreds of players who take part for the sheer joy of golf, the World Amateur is a great place to be. Golfers with handicaps of 24 or higher have won the tournament five times.

Players are paired up with strangers each day (except the final day when the flight leaders may be paired) and many long-lasting friendships are made.

Many of the golfers take part in the tournament for the camarardie, the post-round 19th Hole celebrations (free food and drinks and stage shows/dancing each night at the convention center) and the major door prizes. Golfers can bring a guest (wife, husband, friend...whoever) to the festivities each evening.

Relatively small prizes (bags, balls, clothing, etc.) and trophies are given to those finishing in the top 10 of each of the flights (and for the final fifth round playoff involving each flight champion), but the big prizes such as a car, paid vacations, golf schools, etc., are awarded on the final day in a random drawing. Even the worst duffers have a shot at the big prizes.

The year 2002 marked the 19th year of the tournament. The event is so popular that many players have taken part every year. Hundreds have played in the tournament more than once.

Thousands of players know they have no shot at winning anything, but they love the atmosphere so much they keep coming back. Players come from all 50 U. S. states, plus dozens of foreign countries. I played with several players whose primary objective was to break 100 for the first time. One gentleman I played with had a 29 on one hole and shot 144 for the round. But he kept his sense of humor.

All in all, the cost of playing in the tournament is very fair. The 2002 entry fee of $435 covered all four rounds of golf (with cart) at four top course, all the food and drink you (and a guest) could handle each evening, free opening day gifts (collared logo shirts, balls, etc.). If one had to pay for such things separately the costs could easily exceed the entry fee. For example golf for four rounds could easily total about $200, food and drink for each night for two people would probably total about $200 for four days -- that's $400 and does not include the free gifts and entertainment. Nor the fun and excitement of playing in a world-class golf tournament and a chance at door prizes worth tens of thousands of dollars. And, golf bargains are plentiful as dozens of manufacturers/suppliers provide booths at the Convention Center.

And how do you put a price on sitting on your hotel balcony looking out at a spectacular ocean or just soaking your tootsies on a sandy beach stroll?

If interested in learning more about the August 25-29, 2003 tournament, you can log onto the tournament web site at www.worldamateur.com, email [email protected] or call 800-833-8798.

This story was published on 10 Sep 2002.