When World Amateur players arrive at the 19th Hole to have (free) drinks and swap stories, they will have to think a little longer about their beverage of choice this year.

Crown Imports, one of the nation’s largest beer importers and distributers, has joined the World Amateur family as the tournament’s official beer sponsor. Crown Imports is bringing Corona Extra, the nation’s most popular imported beer, Corona Light, Negra Modelo, Modelo Especial and St. Pauli Girl, to this year’s tournament.

“We are delighted to have Crown Imports join the World Am team,” said tournament director Dave Macpherson. “We have provided quality alcohol options in the past, but the breadth and quality of this year’s beer selections are unmatched.”

Corona, with its sun-splashed image, is the perfect beer for a golf tournament at the beach. Corona’s reputation has grown to the point that it’s challenging traditional domestic brews for American beer supremacy.

While the Corona products are wildly popular, expect Negra Modelo to be the surprise hit of the tournament. Negra Modelo is Mexico’s top-selling dark beer and it has enjoyed rapid growth in popularity in the United States over the last 10 years.

To achieve its unique taste, Negra Modelo uses a greater quantity of malt, the finest hops, a special yeast and the purest water. Dark beers are perceived to be heavy, but Negra Modelo, the official beer of Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Courses You Can Play list, breaks the mold, offering a lighter alternative.

“Negra Modelo is a beer (tournament participants) will love,” John Alvarado, Crown Imports’ Brand Manager, said. “It’s very easy to drink and it has a great taste."

Modelo Especial is a full flavored lager regarded as one of the finest beers brewed in Mexico.

St. Pauli Girl is a German offering that has been brewed since the 16th century. St. Pauli Girl is a full-bodied beer with a hoppy aroma, golden color, smooth taste and a clean finish.

Other beers in the Crown Imports collection include Pacifico, a Mexican brew, and two types of Tsingtao, a lager and a pure draft. The amber colored Tsingtao is a pilsner-style beer delivering a crisp, slightly malty flavor and a nutty sweet taste. Tsingato is the No. 1 brand consumer product exported from China.