In one of golf’s most accessible yet demanding tournaments, Scott Collette of Knoxville, Tennessee claimed the crown as World Amateur Champion at the 42nd Annual Play Golf Myrtle Beach World Amateur Championship. Held at the prestigious Thistle Golf Club in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, Collette outlasted 59 other flight winners in a three-hole playoff to seal his victory.
For a 52-year-old golfer with a 6-handicap, this achievement isn’t just a personal milestone; it epitomizes what the World Amateur celebrates: the enduring passion for the game among amateurs. It’s not just about age or score; it’s about fair competition, community, and focusing on the game with heart.
A Championship Format That Levels the Field, and the Plot
The World Am invites nearly 3,000 golfers annually, spanning ages 17 to 92 and representing 47 states plus 18 countries. Players compete in flights based on handicap and skill, battling through four rounds across more than 50 iconic Myrtle Beach courses. Only the winners of each flight advance to the final day.
Collette’s playoff came against Doug Harvey, with Richard Marriott of Bermuda close behind in third place. Five competitors tied for fourth, illustrating the razor-thin margins that define flight-level greatness in amateur play.
More Than Just One Champion: Highlights from Gross Divisions
Beyond the net flight playoff, the World Am hosts scratch (gross) divisions that allow top amateurs to compete ball-up on equal terms. This year:
-
Sean O’Donnell won the Men’s Gross Division at 279 over four rounds.
-
Michael Batten claimed the Senior Gross crown.
-
Orlando Rodriguez topped the Mid-Senior Gross field.
-
Tracy Burgess emerged victorious in the Women’s Gross division.
Additionally, Batten teamed with Jerry Edwards in the Casa de Campo Pairs competition–winning a luxury golf getaway, including a four-day, three-night stay with unlimited golf access.
Myrtle Beach: The Grand Strand’s Showcase
Myrtle Beach, dubbed “The Golf Capital of the World,” delivers a unique blend of competition and camaraderie. After rounds, players convene for “The World’s Largest 19th Hole”–an evening celebration that mixes golf culture, live music, skills challenges, and food. This year’s festivities included performances by an ’80s tribute band, appearances by USGA CEO Mike Whan, and golf personalities like the Bryan brothers.
Tournament Director Ryan Hart summed it up best:
“The World Am continues to bring golfers from around the world together for a one-of-a-kind experience on The Grand Strand. We’re proud to host an event that grows in prestige and popularity each year. Congratulations to Scott Collette and all of the golfers for a great week in Myrtle Beach.”
What Comes Next for World Am and Collette
With 2025 now in the books, the event wraps up another unforgettable chapter, and sets the stage for 2026. Flight winners, like Collette, typically receive entry into the next year’s championship, offering them a chance to defend their title.
Beyond celebrating individual champions, the World Am continues to evolve–growth evidenced by a participant pool of nearly 3,000 men (2,623) and 299 women. With courses like Caledonia, Tidewater, Barefoot Resort, and Thistle hosting competition, the Grand Strand maintains its reputation as both welcoming and elite.
Scott Collette Wins 2025 Myrtle Beach World Amateur Championship