By The Joan Kelly Group
We get asked constantly about the RBC Heritage from clients curious about what makes this week such a big deal on the island. It's Hilton Head's only PGA Tour event, and it comes with a history and a set of traditions that go back further than most people realize. Here's what we think is worth knowing about this tournament before it rolls around again.
Key Takeaways
- The RBC Heritage has been played almost entirely at the same course since its first year in 1969
- Harbour Town Golf Links, designed by Pete Dye with Jack Nicklaus's help, has hosted nearly every round in tournament history
- As a PGA Tour Signature Event, it now features a smaller, no-cut field
- Tournament week and the actual competitive rounds run on slightly different schedules
A Tournament with Deep Roots on Hilton Head Island
The RBC Heritage was first played in 1969, when Arnold Palmer won the inaugural event, and it has returned to Hilton Head Island every year since. Since 1983, it has held a fixed spot on the PGA Tour calendar the week immediately following the Masters, giving it a natural rhythm as the tour's first stop after that major. Davis Love III holds the record for the most Heritage victories, with five wins over the course of his career.
Why This History Matters
- First played in 1969, won by Arnold Palmer
- Held every year since on Hilton Head Island
- Scheduled the week after the Masters since 1983
- Davis Love III holds the record with five career wins
Harbour Town Golf Links: Nearly the Only Home This Tournament Has Known
Harbour Town Golf Links, located within the Sea Pines Resort, has hosted almost every round of the RBC Heritage throughout its history, with one small exception in 1972, when the first two rounds were split between Harbour Town and the resort's Ocean course before finishing at Harbour Town. Outside of that single year, it's one of the few PGA Tour events that has never changed venues. The course was designed by Pete Dye with assistance from Jack Nicklaus and regularly appears on lists of the best courses in the country, known for its narrow fairways and small, demanding greens.
What Makes Harbour Town Distinctive
- The tournament's home for nearly its entire history, with one exception in 1972
- Designed by Pete Dye, with assistance from Jack Nicklaus
- A par-71 course known for narrow fairways and small greens
- Rewards precision and accuracy over sheer distance off the tee
A Signature Event with a Reduced, No-Cut Field
The RBC Heritage now carries PGA Tour Signature Event status, which comes with a smaller, invitational-style field and no cut, meaning every player who tees it up plays all four rounds. This format change reflects a broader shift across several of the tour's most prominent events in recent years, moving away from traditional larger fields. The tournament also carries one of the richest purses outside the four major championships, underscoring its significance on the tour calendar.
What Signature Event Status Means Here
- A smaller, invitational-style field compared to a typical PGA Tour event
- No cut, meaning every player in the field completes all four rounds
- Part of a broader shift toward this format for the tour's most prominent events
- One of the largest purses on tour outside the major championships
Tournament Week Versus Tournament Rounds
Tournament week typically spans from the Monday before to the final Sunday, covering practice rounds, a pro-am, and various fan events, while the actual four rounds of competitive stroke play take place Thursday through Sunday specifically. This distinction is worth understanding if you're planning a visit, since the atmosphere and available activities differ meaningfully between the earlier practice days and the main tournament rounds. Checking the specific schedule for whichever days you plan to attend helps set the right expectations.
Why This Distinction Matters
- Tournament week includes practice rounds, a pro-am, and fan events
- Competitive stroke play specifically runs Thursday through Sunday
- The atmosphere differs between practice days and tournament rounds
- Worth confirming the specific schedule for the days you plan to attend
Getting Around During Tournament Week
Sea Pines runs a free trolley during tournament week that connects Harbour Town Golf Links with the Sea Pines Beach Club, shopping, and other stops throughout the community, making it a convenient way to avoid parking and traffic. Complimentary bicycle parking is also available near the course for those who prefer to ride in. Given how much traffic tournament week brings to this part of the island, planning transportation ahead of time is worth doing regardless of how you get there.
Practical Tips for Getting Around
- A free trolley connects Harbour Town with the Sea Pines Beach Club and shops
- Complimentary bicycle parking is available near the course
- Traffic increases meaningfully throughout Sea Pines during tournament week
- Planning transportation ahead of time is worth doing either way
FAQs
Is the RBC Heritage always held at the same course?
We'd say almost always, yes. It's been played at Harbour Town Golf Links every year since 1969, with one small exception in 1972 when part of the early rounds were split with a nearby course before finishing at Harbour Town.
Does the RBC Heritage have a cut like most tournaments?
No, as a PGA Tour Signature Event, the field doesn't face a cut, so everyone who starts the tournament plays all four rounds. We'd say that's part of what makes the event feel a bit different from a typical tour stop.
Should we plan around the full tournament week or just the main rounds?
We'd recommend deciding based on what you actually want to see, since practice days and the main rounds offer pretty different experiences. We're happy to help you think through timing if you're planning a visit around it.
Contact The Joan Kelly Group Today
Understanding what makes the RBC Heritage such a big deal here is something we enjoy sharing with clients considering Hilton Head Island. We're happy to talk about how living near an event like this factors into your search.
