By Emilia Beth Mink

MYRTLE BEACH, S. C. -- Having had time to reflect on my first time to play in the annual DuPont CoolMax World Amateur Handicap Golf Tournament, I want to share my experiences and what I have learned.
I might add I am a fairly newcomer to the game, knowing enough to be frustrated and to break the rules (or clubs).

After getting assorted goodies handed out to all tournament players on registration day, a staff member went the extra mile to help me find another golfer who I could hitch a ride with to from my hotel to the various courses all four days of the tournament.
I couldn't believe I was one of more than 4,000 golfers from around the world trying for the international championship of handicap golf.
Loading my golf bag into my assigned cart, along with enough golf paraphernalia for a trip to Scotland, I realized my spine was as stiff as the shaft on my driver.
With the friendly but businesslike greeting from my cart partner I was sure my first-time jitters were apparent when she needed to explain, "No, dear, I keep your score -- you keep mine." Beam me up, Scottie.
As courses go, I rated our first course, Eastport, a "C". Fairway grass was too high, the hazards were not well marked and a rude pro announced, "Ladies, let's get this over with. It's hot, and I want to go home. I know what is really important to you ladies, is just where is the bathroom and the water."
My first day started and ended with a comedy of errors.
I discovered I was in the company of a Rules Nazi. However, she was wrong on several of her rules determinations, but no one protested. For example, I was told I could play my ball only one club length from where it lay in the lateral hazard, not two club lengths from the hazard line marker (the correct rule). From the hazard, I hit the ball into a paved parking lot -- at which time I blew my top and hit the ball out of the lot into another hazard. Get the picture?
My first day ended with a 158 score and I was ready to pack up and go home.
What I missed was having my husband, Ken, along with me, giving me words of encouragement and tips on how to improve my game. You know he has to be a saint to put up with teaching me the game in the first place and endure my occasional show of temper (ahem).
Back at the hotel a cool shower and a hug from my understanding husband and some adult beverages, along with some good food at the 19th Hole at the Convention Center, I was back on track and ready for Day Two.
Caledonia was course number two and proved to be a great deal better than Eastport. It was well groomed and well marked. We were welcomed with coffee, juice and doughnuts and given friendly instructions and were wished a good day.
I was feeling much better about my game and improved my score to 118.
My cart partner was a good golfer but was all business. I began to wonder when can this group lighten up and have some fun. But it was not meant to be this particular round.
Round three found us at Myrtle Beach National, a very good course and for the first time I had a congenial cart partner and we hit it off immediately. With a lot less tension and a more relaxed atmosphere, both my score and my outlook improved (shooting 117).
Not only did I have my best score on the last day, but many of the other ladies fired their best rounds at the Sandpiper Bay course. Another fine course, more suited for ladies play. I had 101. That's more like my normal round. That meant I had improved 57 strokes from Day One to the Final Day. Unofficially, I would bet that was the most drastic turnaround of the tournament
Riding with a carpooled trio of lady golfers to and from the courses became a treat for me as we laughed and shared our stories of the day. No tension here. I grew to be more comfortable with them and my game steadily improved. We wished each other well in friendly competition and later I was congratulated for my only birdie of the tournament.
To share a common goal was only a small part of why women go to such tournaments. They do have a passion for the game and a true competitive spirit, but in great part they love the friendships they have made and, in some cases, held for years.
I watched the ladies greet one another with warm smiles, handshakes and hugs. It was a reunion of old friends for many of them.
In closing I would like to acknowledge and thank Steve Mays, tournament director, and staff members for their excellent work at the 2003 tournament, making my first tournament a most pleasant and memorable experience. Kudos to the many volunteers who also did a great job -- and always with a smile.
The greatest lesson I learned was what friendly competition really means.
(The 2004 DuPont World Amateur Handicap Tournament is scheduled for Aug. 29 through Sept, 3, 2004, at Myrtle Beach. For information, call 800-833-8798 or visit the web at www.playdupont.com)

This story was published on 03 Aug 2004.