RBC Heritage Leaves Lasting Impact on the Lowcountry
For 55 years, the Heritage Classic Foundation has presented a world-class golf tournament, now known as the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing. Since its very beginnings, this tournament has been a jewel for our island, evolving into a well-loved and supported event.
This year’s tournament is April 10-16, and we look forward to being plaid ready. The town is gearing up to welcome professional golfers, spectators, and volunteers, and generate excitement among our residents. We know that with thousands of visitors arriving on the island, navigating traffic will be one of the biggest concerns for those of us who live and work on Hilton Head Island. For that week, the S. C. Department of Transportation will halt work on their resurfacing project on William Hilton Parkway/U.S. 278 to limit interference with traffic coming on and leaving the island during the tournament week.
But we also hope that you will be prepared for the higher volume of traffic by exercising caution and patience as you drive around the island. The RBC Heritage, which has the distinction of being the only annual PGA TOUR event in South Carolina, is an important economic driver for our island. Golfers, fans, and other visitors from all over the world travel to Hilton Head Island for a gratifying week of golf and hospitality. The tournament’s impact is widely showcased throughout our community and the state. The RBC Heritage pumps $102 million into the state’s economy and is broadcast in 27 languages to more than 200 other countries.
Beyond the economic impact, we are grateful for the generosity of the Heritage Classic Foundation, which contributes to the well-being of the greater Hilton Head Island community. It is exciting to see so many charities, organizations and citizens across the region receive benefits for education, healthcare, and other needs. Since 1987, the foundation has donated $50 million to charities in South Carolina and Georgia and $5 million to 375 high school seniors. Last month, 11 outstanding Beaufort County seniors became the newest Heritage Classic Foundation scholars for the 2022-2023 school year. The students come from seven different high schools, and one is home schooled.
On behalf of my fellow Town Council members and town staff, I congratulate the Heritage Classic Foundation on 55 years of sustaining and growing the tournament and giving back to the community. This is an amazing tournament, and I am thrilled that our community can help support it in many ways. Whether you’re a visiting spectator or a resident, you help contribute to its success and make it a tournament our community can be proud of.