Heritage notebook: Seen and heard at Harbour Town on Saturday

Baddeley to speak Sunday at 18th

On the 10th anniversary of his Easter Sunday sermon and victory, Aaron Baddeley is set to deliver the annual this morning sermon at the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing.

The event, sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, begins at 7:30 a.m. at the 18th green of the Harbour Town Golf Links in Sea Pines.

“I’ve got new stories now,” Baddeley said after Saturday’s 2-over-par 73 left him just outside the top 20. “New life experiences and new things God’s been teaching me, so that’s what I’ll be speaking about.”

A tournament ticket is needed to enter, and there is no parking near Harbour Town. Parking is available at the general spectator lot at Coastal Discovery Museum off U.S. 278. Free shuttles begin at 6:30 a.m.

After giving the featured sermon on Easter Sunday 10 years ago, Baddeley won his first PGA Tour title after making a 6-foot putt on the same green. He spoke about it at a subsequent Christian Heritage Breakfast on Hilton Head Island and gave the Easter sermon again in 2011.

“So this is my third or maybe fourth time speaking on the 18th green,” Baddeley said. “I wasn’t sure if I was even going to be here, because I had to get a (sponsor) invitation to play. Fortunately, I was able to get one, so it all worked out.”

The Australian has won just twice since that breakthrough day. After struggling with his game in recent years, Baddeley has rebounded with three top-10 finishes this season.

Jeff Shain

Abuzz about the weather

What was happening on the links may have been the main focus Saturday at the RBC Heritage, but a lot of the buzz had to do with the weather.

“It’s a little windy by the water, but it feels great out here,” said Edward Fountain, of Savannah.

Fountain and his wife, Joann Fountain, had come up for the day at the invitation of friends who have a house near the 17th green. As the two waited for the action to move through on the 18th hole, they stood enjoying the view and looking out over the Calibogue Sound.

The weather for the week had been less than ideal, with some days proving to be cold and windy while others were rain filled. But crowds on Saturday seemed to be making up for lost time as groups gathered around tables along the Heritage Lawn and basked in the sun.

Down a short ways from the Fountains, a group of friends were also talking about the great weather.

The four — Andrew O’Donnell, Kisha O’Donnell, Bobby Paszek and Wendy Cazayoux — all Hilton Head Island residents, said they enjoyed the “social aspect” of the event almost as much as watching the golf.

“You see people you haven’t seen since last year,” said Cazayoux.

Mindy Lucas

Good day for the boats at 18

After several days of high winds and waves, boaters should find Sunday to be a good day for the traditional navy anchored off the 18th green for the RBC Heritage.

Tournament tradition calls for the the boat horns to be sounded as soon as a champion emerges. The timing has not always been perfect.

High winds kept the boat Mystique owned by the Harbour Town Yacht Club at the dock during its typical late-afternoon cocktail hour cruise on Friday evening.

But a good crew was anchored offshore Saturday, and experts say the sailing should be fine on Sunday.

David Lauderdale

This story was originally published April 16, 2016 at 6:53 PM with the headline "Heritage notebook: Seen and heard at Harbour Town on Saturday."