Paula Morton, a 49-year-old business manager with a 16-hdcp from Greenbrier, Tenn., sank a 25-ft putt and won a Centex luxury villa at Barefoot Resort valued at $130,000. Jeannette Fenner of Sturgis, Mich., carrying a 13 handicap, won the championship and took home the crystal blue trophy and a free pass to next year’s World Am.

These women were the outright winners at the 2004 DuPont World Amateur Golf Championship at Myrtle Beach, but in fact every one of this year’s approximately 3900 men and women participants were winners at what has become the most popular, best organized and largest amateur golf tournament in the world.

Started in 1986, the DuPont World Am, now in its 21 st year, has blossomed into a veritable golf hootenanny, drawing participants from all 50 states and 23 countries. The participants, ranging in age from 15 to 84, competed in four rounds over 50 golf courses, with the winners of each of the 45 flights moving to the championship round at the Dunes Club.

About 3600 men and 295 women, from scratch to 36 handicaps, were flighted according to certified USGA handicaps and international handicap equivalents, and their handicaps were adjusted depending on their scores throughout the week. Tournament officials pay strict attention to these scores and make these adjustments to ensure competitive integrity.

The participants come to enjoy great golf, but the fun doesn’t stop at the 18 th hole. The tournament boasts the largest 19 th hole in the world. In the evenings after each round, golfers descended on Myrtle Beach’s convention center and exhibit hall where some 15 local restaurants serve food and drink specialties. There is also dancing and entertainment provided by top bands and performers and, to top it off, dozens of exhibitors displayed their latest in equipment, apparel and other wares.

Top 100 instructor Craig Shankland, from LPGA International in Daytona who has recently been working with Tom Lehman and several other men and women tour players, was on hand to offer a free seminar on the golf swing. His insights and tips on posture and swing mechanics were invaluable to scores of golfers who were entertained by his humorous presentation.

Also, short game guru Dave Pelz was again one of the most popular exhibitors. Pelz, whom Phil Michelson credits with bringing his game to a new level, worked with a dozen preselected participants, analyzing their short games and offering prescriptions for improvement.

The award of a fabulous Centex villa at Barefoot was a highlight of the week and a first for the DuPont. Winners of the closest to the pin contests during their rounds competed in a putt-off to decide the lucky recipient. When Morton sank her memorable putt, the crowd at the convention center, where the contest was held, exploded with a roar reminiscent of Michelson’s reception at the Masters.

To underscore the international flavor of this event, there were golfers from every continent. They included a 40-year-old Israeli named David Califa, who brought four of his buddies to this year’s tournament. Israel has only one 18-hole course and one 9-hole layout and Califa said he plans to promote golf in his country.

The DuPont World Am is produced by a tireless, dedicated staff at Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, a marketing coalition of some 90 of Myrtle Beach’s finest golf courses. With as much experience as they have running this event, they find ways to improve the tournament every year.

If you want to enjoy fun competition and make new friends from around the world, mark your calendar and plan to play in next year’s DuPont. The 2005 edition will be held August 28 - September 2.

For tournament information, consult www.playdupont.com.