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Get Ready for the 51st Annual RBC Heritage Golf Classic!
What do green courses, white bunnies, and red (plaid) jackets have in common? Easter day at the 51st annual RBC Heritage Golf Classic, of course! Beginning with the traditional opening ceremonies and parade on April 15 and culminating in the trophy presentation on Easter Sunday, April 21, this iconic Lowcountry event is sure to be another crowd favorite. And we do mean crowd. Approximately 135,000 people from all over the nation gathered in 2018 to celebrate the tournament’s 50th anniversary, and we can expect more of the same this year. But don’t confuse “crowd” with “crazy” unless you’re thinking “crazy fun”—because this family-friendly, mad-for-plaid tournament is all that and more.
Held on Hilton Head Island at the renowned Harbour Town Golf Links in Sea Pines Resort, this is a not-to-be-missed Lowcountry event with a lot of history. The Heritage Classic was inaugurated in 1969 with the late, great Arnold Palmer taking home the very first trophy on Thanksgiving weekend. Coming off a winless dry streak of 14 months, Palmer said of the event, “I think this is one of my most important wins, almost like the first one. I wanted to win this one as much as I would a U.S. Open or Masters, or any other tournament.” Talk about great beginnings!
Since 1983, the tournament has been held in mid-April and winners have included golf legends Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Johnny Miller, and Payne Stewart to name a few. This year’s field is set to include 2018 champion Satoshi Kodaira as well as Dustin Johnson, Webb Simpson, Jim Furyk, Matt Kuchar, Davis Love III, and a host of other distinguished golfers who will be competing for the 6.9 million dollar purse.
The Harbour Town Lighthouse wrapped in plaid for the 50th RBC Heritage Tournament
Even if you’re not exactly a golf fan, simply strolling around the stunning Harbour Town course and taking in the beauty of the coastal surroundings is a wonderful way to spend a spring day. The course was designed by well-known golf course architect Pete Dye with assistance from Jack Nicklaus, who won his own Heritage trophy in 1975. It has appeared on several “Best Courses” lists and certainly lives up to this designation. And what can we say about the 18th green? With views of the ocean, the yacht marina, and the famed Harbour Town lighthouse, it is truly spectacular!
As the tournament finale is being held on Easter Day, a sunrise Easter service will be offered for spectators at 7:30 am at the Liberty Oak stage. The observance will include local ministers, music, and non-denominational prayer. A PGA tour professional is also scheduled to speak. Following the Easter service, families with children 10 years old and younger are invited to an Easter egg hunt held on the Heritage Lawn. Prizes will be given and photos with the Easter Bunny are available.
We encourage you to “get your plaid on” and join in all the fun festivities. Be sure to tag any Instagram photos with #plaidnation and #RBCheritage—we’ll see you there!
For tickets, event history and more information, go to www.rbcheritage.com.
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