A Hilton Head Golf Tradition: the RBC Heritage is Back!

Back in 1969, Hilton Head Island was a little-known hidden gem, and Harbour Town Golf Links was a brand-new course. When Sea Pines developer Charles Fraser decided to host a PGA-level tournament at the course over Thanksgiving weekend, he was met with some skepticism. The timing of a long holiday weekend, a brand-new course in a quiet area–would the PGA’s top golfers even show up?

They sure did, including Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, who were two of the biggest names in golf at the time. Palmer won the inaugural Heritage Classic, which garnered a lot of press coverage. The new course earned plenty of media praise, too. And just like that, Hilton Head Island became a renowned golf destination, attracting pros and amateurs alike.

Over the past half a century, lots has changed about the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing (known as simply “Heritage” by the locals). The tournament has moved from a Thanksgiving event to one that’s held in mid-April, and, of course, it’s grown! Today, the tournament draws over 100,000 spectators and creates a $102 million economic impact for South Carolina. The original purse of $100,000 (equivalent to $770,000 today) ballooned to $8 million in prize money in 2022. As an elevated PGA TOUR event in 2023, the purse was $20 million.

Some things have stayed the same. The RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing has always been a display of one-of-a-kind Lowcountry hospitality, charm, and family-friendly fun. Players and spectators alike rate it as one of the best stops on the PGA TOUR year after year. Check out these moments from last year’s tournament for proof!

Year after year, the winner of the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing collects not only a trophy and a cash prize, but also an eye-catching plaid jacket. “Why plaid” you ask? Truth is, it wasn’t always part of the tournament. Here’s how it came to be the signature look of the event.

In the Heritage Classic’s early years, tournament officials stood out in bright yellow jackets. A few years later, the event’s organizers decided to pay homage to a well-known 1790 golf print of Sir William Innes, the captain of the Society of Golfers at Blackheath in Scotland. In the print, Sir William wears a tartan jacket. His image was included in the Heritage’s logo until 2012, when RBC became the event’s title sponsor.

Event organizers adapted Royal Stewart tartan by removing a yellow bar to make it unique. Known as Heritage Plaid, it’s the pattern that’s now on the jacket given to tournament winners. Unique to Hilton Head Island and the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing, it’s just one of the many special touches that sets this event apart!

Want to be part of the tradition and join in the celebration at this year’s RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing? Check out Lowcountry accommodations, things to see and do, and all the golf courses and facilities on Hilton Head Island to help you practice your game while you’re here, or use our free Vacation Planner to help you create your ideal tournament getaway. See you on the links!