Camp Olympia Welcomes The Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship

Started by Corbin Robertson, Jr. in 2001, this is the 7th Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship at the Whispering Pines Golf Club, ranked the #1 golf course in Texas for a record-setting 8th straight time. This is the same golf club that is home to our Camp Olympia Jr. Golf Academy.

Prior winners at The Spirit include now, pro-golfers: Lorena Ochoa, Paula Creamer, Martin Kaymer and Brandt Snedeker.

What is the Spirit?

The Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship is a world class golf event. It features the world’s best amateur men and amateur women golfers as they represent their respective country in team and individual competitions. The 80 participants, two male and two female golf amateurs, from 20 countries spanning six continents enjoy a premier sporting event experience from the Opening/Closing Ceremonies, international village to competing for gold medals.

Invitation Guidelines:
The field of countries is limited to 20 teams (each team is comprised of two men and two women golfers). Twenty country teams are invited based on the men and women’s combined results from the most recent World Amateur Team Championships.

Team Selection:
Each invited country assembles their best available amateur men and women golfers (two each). All players must be official citizens of their country. Each country’s National Golf Association/Federation establishes its own selection criteria. However, national champions, finalists or top ranked players are the majority of participants. (76) National Amateur Champions participated in The 2009 Spirit.

Format of Play:
72 holes of best ball competition, five separate competitions are conducted: International Team (combined best ball of the Men’s and Women’s teams), Men’s Team, Women’s Team, Men’s Individual, and Women’s Individual. Gold, Silver and Bronze commemorative medals are awarded to the top three places in each competition.

Player Accommodations:
Camp Olympia, a nationally acclaimed youth camp located adjacent to Whispering Pines Golf Club provides accommodations for all Spirit participants. Camp Olympia is themed as an international village where participants enjoy lodging, meals and a wide variety of entertainment each evening.