Coligny shuttle brings relief to south-end ticketholders, businesses

Those living or staying close to the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing no longer face such a long drive to attend.

A new shuttle service was introduced at Coligny Circle this week, addressing concerns of those on Hilton Head Island’s south end caught in no-man’s land by a revised plan that moved general parking to the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn.

Under the plan, ticketholders on the south end found themselves driving miles away from Harbour Town to catch a bus back to Sea Pines.

“Even prior to last year’s tournament, we knew that a problem we were going to be faced with was the south end,” tournament director Steve Wilmot said. “It’s tough for a person living in the Coligny area, or Shipyard or wherever, to drive out to come back.”

South-end restaurants and bars also complained about lost business when customers were shuttled straight from Harbour Town back to Honey Horn. The new option is the byproduct of a partnership between the tournament, Hilton Head Island and Coligny Plaza.

“Everyone wins with this new service,” Hilton Head Island town manager Steve Riley said. “Fans have a new option for getting there, tournament officials offer an additional parking resource, and south-end businesses get to see an even greater bump during the tournament.”

Service runs regularly from Coligny Circle from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., the same hours as the Honey Horn shuttles. Patrons can use the parking lots at Coligny Plaza and Coligny Beach, subject to a first-come, first-served basis.

For those living close enough, fans can walk or ride bicycles to the Coligny stop.

“It not only helps locals and visitors get in and out of the tournament with ease,” said Coligny Plaza owner JR Richardson, “it also gives them so much more to do and experience before and after the tournament.”

Wilmot emphasized that though the Coligny shuttle is available to anyone, parking could get overwhelmed if too many patrons bypass Honey Horn. The Coastal Discovery Museum remains the primary option for those on the north side or coming across the bridge.

“The last thing we want is for someone to drive in from Savannah to take up space (at Coligny),” Wilmot said. “It’s really for people on the south end.”

The tournament plans to explore shuttle expansion next year, he added, specifically a mid-island option.

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This story was originally published April 8, 2016 at 6:37 PM with the headline "Coligny shuttle brings relief to south-end ticketholders, businesses."