RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing
This week we celebrate 57 years of the Heritage. It has come along way since 1969. My favorite golfer, Arnold Palmer, was the first winner, when it was called the Heritage Classic. The original purse was $100,000 and this year’s purse is $20 million.
Past winners of the Heritage that are in the World Golf Hall of Fame are: Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller, Hale Irwin, Tom Watson, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Payne Stewart, Nick Price and Davis Love (5-time winner). Pete Dye, the course architect, is also in the Hall of Fame.
In 2024, the number one player in the world, Scottie Scheffler won the tournament. He is coming back to defend his title. Scottie is only the second golfer to win the Masters and Heritage back-to-back. Bernhard Langer was the first in 1985.
Top players coming to the Heritage this year include: Jordan Spieth, Xander Schauffele, Akshay Bhatia, Patrick Cantley, Matt Fitzpatrick, Max Homa, Justin Thomas, Keegan Bradley, Wyndam Clark, Tommy Fleetwood, Russell Henley, Ludvig Aberg, Jason Day, Tony Finau, Victor Hovland, Shane Lowrey, and Hideki Matsuyama.
The Heritage is one of only eight tournaments given “Signature” status by the PGA TOUR. This means that the top golfers will be playing, approximately 74, with no cut after 36 holes. Thus, you will get to see the entire field on Saturday and Sunday’s rounds.
The players love the relaxed atmosphere of the Heritage tournament. They come from the highly intense Masters tournament to the relaxation of Hilton Head Island. The players enjoy bringing their families to experience the beach, biking, restaurants and more.
The tournament opens with the reigning champion, wearing his plaid jacket and using an authentic hickory club, hitting a featherie-style golf ball into the Calibogue Sound in unison with the cannon shot.
The Lowcountry community embraces Heritage Week. During Heritage week schools are on spring break and over 1,600 volunteers give of their time. The RBC Heritage is the biggest sporting event in the state of South Carolina.
The Heritage Tournament has a significant economic impact on the state of South Carolina. Each year, the Heritage Classic Foundation pumps more than $134.9 million in South Carolina’s economy. $56.9 million is distributed to charitable organizations
This year, after the tournament ends, Harbour Town Golf Links will close for a refresh with Davis Love III heading up the renovation. The iconic Pete Dye design will be restored to ensure championship level conditions. Improvements will be made to agronomy, rebuilding all greens, bunkers and bulkheads.
John Ferrell, Director of Sports Operations, stated “we will protect the shot values, both long and short, that have come to define Harbour Town Golf Links for nearly six decades.” We can look for a new and improved Harbour Town course for next year’s tournament.
Dr. Jean Harris is an LPGA Master Professional and teaches at local golf courses. jean.golfdoctor.harris@gmail.com; golfdoctorjean.com
