(CNN) -- If they were handing out awards for courage in the face of personal trauma, 70-year-old Bob Yelton would scoop the lot at this week's World Amateur Handicap Championships. 

Yelton is one of just 13 golfers who have played in all 28 previous editions of the biggest tournament of its type in the world, which brings nearly 3,100 players from 25 countries and 49 states of the U.S. to the Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina. 

His streak was nearly broken last year, and in the circumstances nobody would have held it against him if he had taken time out. 

Just before the tournament, Martha, his wife of 22 years, was taken ill and passed away just a week later. 

There had been no hint of a problem -- Martha taught at a community school in Shelby in North Carolina and played a bit of golf herself. 

"She mostly just walked the course with me," recalled Bob. 

Her death hit him hard and he was left with the prospect of raising his then 15-year-old son Porter alone. In the circumstances, his annual pilgrimage to Myrtle was low priority. "I had no interest in playing golf." 

But with encouragement from his brother Don, who has also played in every World Am, and crucially an intervention from his son, Bob did indeed pitch up. 

"Dad, Mum would have wanted you to play," said Porter and he did, thinking about Martha just about every step of the way. 

In retrospect, the stress of dealing with his wife's premature death and continuing to practice as a business lawyer may well have taken a bigger toll on Bob than he was to realize. 
What sport does Yelton play?
did he play in a tournament?
is it a small tournament?
where is the tournament?
did his wife play golf also?
what happened to her?
was she sick for a while?
did they have children?
a boy?
what was his name?
what does Yelton hold a streak in?
is he the only one?
how many others have it?
Did he lose his streak after his wife's death?
who encouraged him?
does he play golf also?
where is the tournament?
do many people play?
how many?
from just the US?
golf
Yelton is one of just 13 golfers
yes
Yelton is one of just 13 golfers who have played in all 28 previous editions of the biggest tournament of its type in the world
no
the biggest tournament
Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina
yes
played a bit of golf herself
passed away
Martha, his wife of 22 years, was taken ill and passed away just a week later
no
taken ill and passed away just a week late
yes
 his then 15-year-old son Porter alone
yes
son Porter alone
Porter
son Porter
played in all 28 previous editions
 played in all 28 previous editions
no
one of just 13 golfers
12
is one of just 13 golfers
no
His streak was nearly broken last year
his brother Don
encouragement from his brother Don
yes
who has also played in every World Am
Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach
yes
brings nearly 3,100 player
3,100
3,100 players
no
25 countries