Host:
The World Health & Golf Association, a 501c-3 charitable organization dedicated to promoting amateur golf to benefit health related causes. The Texas Golf Association, a USGA Regional Golf Association is the governing association for the competition.

Site:
Whispering Pines Golf Club, located outside Trinity, Texas (88 miles north of Houston) on a spectacular 400-acre property bounded by piney woods, lakes and abundant wildlife. Designed by Chet Williams, Nicklaus Design Group, this 7,400-yard championship course opened in 2000 and has received numerous state and national honors. Whispering Pines was ranked by Golf Digest as the third best new private course in America in 2000 and has been ranked the #1 golf course in Texas by The Dallas Morning News since 2006.

What is the Sprit?
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 enjoy an Olympic like experience from the Opening/Closing Ceremonies, international village and competing for gold medals.

The World Health & Golf Association and Texas Golf Association invite 20 countries from six continents to participate. Established in 2001, The Spirit is a biennial event that alternates tournament years with the World Amateur Team Championships.

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. (65) National Amateur Champions participated in The 2005 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.
 

Past Champions: