Hilton Head Island is a dazzling place year-round but RBC Heritage week gives it an extra shine. Played yearly at Harbour Town Golf Links since 1969, the PGA TOUR Signature Event brings out some of the biggest names in men’s golf vying for its $20 million purse.
Oak trees draped in Spanish moss, sunbathing gators, and picturesque marsh views provide a unique background throughout the course, but the 18th hole is the star of the show. Running parallel to Calibogue Sound, this final stretch saddles up next to the Harbour Town Yacht Basin and its iconic lighthouse.
“I think it adds a level of fun and excitement to our tournament,” said Angela McSwain, the tournament’s marketing and communications director. “It’s fun to see all the boats in the yacht basin hosting parties on the water. It’s a festival atmosphere that we are able to achieve here that is super special on the PGA TOUR.”
During RBC Heritage week, most of Harbour Town’s slips are reserved by individuals or businesses seeking a convenient and special hospitality opportunity. The marina is packed with all types of vessels ranging from sport fishing boats to yachts and the vibe is a classy tailgating (or “sterning”) experience. Attendees enjoy the tournament, warm weather, competing music, cold beverages, and time with others.
“It’s a pretty special situation,” said Rob Bender, director of commercial, marine, and leisure operations at The Sea Pines Resort. “The Harbour Town lighthouse makes the area even more special. Its iconic design is instantly recognizable and adds to the charm that everyone connects with.”
As one might expect, Harbour Town Yacht Basin is bustling during the tournament and only boats with pre-arranged slip assignments are able to access the marina. “The Harbour is so busy with everything going on, we unfortunately just don’t have the ability to provide access to every boat to come in and drop off people,” Bender said. “It’s a very busy week and it would create safety issues and operational challenges.”
As a result, daily boaters wanting to make a Heritage water arrival must anchor their vessels in Calibogue Sound along the 18th fairway. H20 Sports offers a ferry service from the anchored area to the harbour. As an added bonus, the anchored boats help frame the tournament’s waterfront background, both in person and on television.
Tom Curry, owner of Lowcountry Paver, contributes to the harbour’s social scene with his boat, El Sea Paver. “Heritage is about relationships, seeing old friends, and having fun,” he said. The Lowcountry Paver team hosts hundreds of clients, contractors, and engineers from all over the Southeast throughout the week.
Ryan Ritter, Taylor Spears, Mike Spears, Chad Spears, Patty Spears, Derek Knoblach and Luke Sullivan enjoy sunset together on the Spears’ boat, Magnolia.
The vessel functions as a hospitality hub for the company’s employees and guests during the day and hosts happy hour each evening. “Often, a lot of our guests choose to stay on the boat in the harbour until wee hours in the morning instead of heading out on the town,” he said. Once his guests leave for the night, he and his wife stay overnight in the harbour and love waking up in such a quiet, picturesque environment before another busy day kicks off.
On a personal level, Curry loves the annual, allocated time to spend with family and friends each spring. “We see people we haven’t seen in years because being in the harbour is the perfect location for visibility,” he said. “All day, every day, old and new friends and local people we’ve never met, but know from Facebook or from business, always see the boat and stop in.”
Hilton Head residents Patty and Mike Spears also dock their boat, Magnolia, at the harbour for Heritage. “We enjoy the fun, family-friendly environment hosting our family and friends on our boat, and, of course, having access to witness some of the best golf and golfers competing on the island,” Patty said.
The 2022 RBC Heritage was their first year reserving a marina slip and they continue to keep the tradition. As parents of three adult sons, the Spearses find Heritage is a great week for them to visit – and they often bring their friends along too. Together, the family loads up the boat early in the week with food and drinks before Magnolia makes her way from Wexford to Harbour Town for a busy long weekend. “We have a lot of friends coming and going and the boat always seems full of people,” Patty said. “It is so much fun having everyone together!”
During the RBC Heritage, boats docked at Harbour Town Yacht Basin host guests all day and night.
Other friends of the couple also dock their boats in the harbour for the tournament. In the evenings, the group flows from one vessel to another for dinner and drinks. Patty’s favorite part of the week is being surrounded by friends on Magnolia’s stern. “Everyone is so happy and friendly, music is playing, drinks are pouring, and food is being served,” she said.
Harbour Town Yacht Basin is open to the public throughout Heritage week. “You do not need a Heritage ticket to ride the bus to come to Harbour Town,” Bender said. Free parking and shuttles are available at Honey Horn for transport to and from the marina. Note that dock access is limited to boat owners and their guests.
“After play has ended, it is the place to be,” said Bender. “Lots of fun and entertainment, music, dining, shopping, people watching, climbing the Harbour Town lighthouse, walking out on the pier, watching the sunset — it’s the center of action after play ends.”
The Harbour Town Lighthouse is a popular photo spot for RBC Heritage spectators.
All of the harbour’s festivities take place under the watchful eye of the Harbour Town lighthouse. Each spring, Kennickell Printing uses a cherry picker to install two RBC logo shields on the exterior of the lighthouse, with one facing the harbour and one facing the 18th hole. They each measure 8 feet, 7 inches wide by 12 feet tall and are prominently featured on one of the most photographed backdrops during Heritage each year.
When the 58th RBC Heritage tournament tees off April 13, attendees can expect a few changes. “We love introducing new features that make the course more enjoyable,” McSwain said. “This year, the South Carolina Education Lottery is supporting a new concession deck between 17 and 18 near the Heritage Lawn. It’ll be a great place to relax, have lunch, and people‑watch.”
Liberty Oak Stage Music Lineup
4/13, 14, 15: Gregg Russell, 7:30-9 p.m.
4/16: Groove Town Assault, 4-7 p.m.
4/17: Andrew Beam, 4-7 p.m.
4/18: CornBred, 4- 7 p.m.
4/19: Liquid Velvet, 4-7 p.m.
Additional spectator seating is also in the works. “We’re expanding our tournament seating options in a big way this year,” McSwain said. “For the first time, we’ll have bleachers on every single hole. We’ve always been among the PGA TOUR events offering the most public bleachers, but this year we’re truly taking it to the next level.”
There is no general spectator parking inside Sea Pines. However, complimentary Heritage parking is available at Honey Horn (70 Honey Horn Drive on Hilton Head Island) with motor coach service to and from Harbour Town Yacht Basin (approximately a 20-minute ride) from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Visit rbcheritage.com to learn more about parking, admittance, schedule, and other tournament information.
