HILTON HEAD, S.C. - The Island of Hilton Head will host the 54 hole Golfweek Amateur Tour National Championship.  The tournament is expected to be the largest competitive stroke play event ever held in Hilton Head, SC.

A field of approximately 700 golfers from across the country will converge on the island Oct. 21-23rd for the Tour's national finals. The championship will be contested on seven courses, including three at Palmetto Dunes Resort, as well as Robber’s Row, Oyster Reef, CC of Hilton Head and the Arthur Hills course in Palmetto Hall.  The tour will bring the top players from over 40 regions representing 25 states.  Over 650 tournaments were held nationwide for players to qualify to play in Hilton Head.  Now the best from each flight will compete over 3 days to be crowned the Golfweek Amateur Tour Champion.

This marks the sixth straight year the Golfweek Amateur Tour has hosted its national championship on Hilton Head Island. Last year's event drew just under 600 golfers and encompassed six courses. The overall champions were:

Championship Flight:                        Chase Wilson               Asheville, NC

A Flight:                                  Jeff Hawkins                 Tidewater, VA

B Flight:                                  Kevin Parker                 Downeast, NC

C Flight:                                  Thomas Russell                        Michigan

D Flight:                                  Marlon Jones                Charleston, SC

Team Championship:             Tidewater

"We expect another competitive tournament throughout all five flights. Guys are grinding through out the season to earn enough points to qualify for the National Championship," said tour president Dennis McCormac. "The players who came last year really enjoyed Hilton Head Island. In addition to world-class golf, it offers great beaches, restaurants and family activities."

The record number of participants will be gunning for a total purse of at least $18,000 in gift certificates in the 54-hole stroke play championship. In addition to the Friday, Saturday and Sunday rounds, golfers have the opportunity to arrive early for practice rounds from Oct. 17-20th.

"This is a big event. Not just for our tour members, but also their families," McCormac said. "Guys are bringing their wives and children. It's evolved into a family event over the last decade, with the number of spectators increasing as well."

For information on the Golfweeks Amateur Golf Tour's 2010 National Championship, go to (www.amateurgolftour.net) or (golfweek.com)