Hilton Head’s Plaid Nation struts its colors as golfers scramble for RBC Heritage crown
While the world’s best golfers were showing what they were made of on the critical third day of the RBC Heritage, fans were putting on a plaid fashion show just off the fairways.
They strutted around in form-fitting skirts, baggy old-time golf pants, Scottish kilts, full-length dresses, sports jackets and golf shorts — all of it plaid. Some even wore plaid socks. One woman painted her fingernails plaid.
Plaid Nation Day always falls on the third day at the Harbor Town Golf Links tournament on Hilton Head Island, and it always looks and feels different. Spectators turn the walkways along the fairways into fashion runways, proudly dressing in the tournament’s signature tartan plaid that pays homage to traditional golf attire in Scotland.
Up to 20,000 fans were expected to pour through the gates at the RBC Heritage on Hilton Head Island by day’s end.
The world’s best are fighting tooth and nail for the $20 million purse on the stunning tree-lined Harbor Town Golf Links, where recently hatched baby alligators sometimes attract more attention than the world’s best golfers.
Plaid Nation, a marketing initiative, has been a hit with fans, especially locals. Some sport a dash of plaid, maybe wearing a hat. Others go all out and dress to the nines in tartan.
“It’s part of being here on the island,” said Paul Von Feldt, who was wearing the tartan colors from his head to his socks.
“You have to support Plaid Nation,” added his wife, Joan.
Matt Fitzpatrick of England held a one-stroke lead heading into Saturday’s third round but others, including world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, were quickly moving up the leaderboard as the day progressed.
Plaid Nation Day is always celebrated during the third round of the tournament, or “moving day,” when golfers tend to make a move in the standings.
“The vibe here is always the most unique on tour,” Kenn Francis says of the Heritage RBC, which is held on the island’s Sea Pines Plantation. “The overall mood is really chill and fun.”
Francis is a representative with the sportswear company Under Armour, one of the brands selling merchandise in a large tent called the Golf Shop.
As he spoke, a huge line of fans waited for their chance to get in the tent to quickly peruse the polo shirts, visors and other merch. Especially on Plaid Nation Saturday, Francis said, plaid clothing is in demand.
So many people were in line that only a certain number could be admitted at a time in order to comply with fire codes. A sign let those waiting know that the popular Heritage gnomes were sold out. Plenty of plaid golf balls were still in stock, however.
“This line is pretty much all day through 5 p.m.,” Frances said. “People love the merchandise.”
The tournament, he said, has a style all its own because of its relaxed “Lowcountry feel,” which really comes out on Plaid Nation Day.
“Two lines open,” Larry Speaks of Coastal Security shouted as throngs of people poured through the front gate at about noon.
Many were sporting plaid, like Paul Glenn of Atlanta, who was looking dapper in a tartan sports jacket as he sipped a cold drink.
“Great weather,” Glenn said, “great golf.”
The red plaid dress of Lainey Creason contrasted with the green fairway of No. 9 as she watched Jordan Spieth and Tom Hoge walk the fairway. Her hair was tied with a bow — plaid, of course. The Kansas woman was enjoying the golf tournament with her family. “We’re all wearing plaid,” Creason said.
Harbor Town is an experience with or without the plaid.
Applause echoes through the towering pines when golfers finish a hole. Gators lurk in the ponds and canals. As golfers putted out on one hole, a small group had their backs turned. Phones at the ready, they were watching and documenting baby gators sunning themselves.
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While the first Heritage champions’ jackets were a yellowish gold when the tournament began in 1969, the event found its true colors in the early 1970s — thanks to the fashion sensibilities of Mary Fraser, the late wife of Sea Pines founder Charles Fraser.
On Sunday, the winner of the tournament will don a black, white, blue, yellow and red Heritage tartan jacket.
Leslie Richardson, who lives on Hilton Head, said Plaid Nation day is a great way for local residents to connect with the tournament in their backyard. She considers it an invitation of sorts.
“We’re so fortunate on Hilton Head to have this amazing golf tournament,” she said.
Greg Schupp of Daufuskie Island pushed a stroller holding his 18-month-old grandson, Flynn. He wore old-time baggy golf pants and a traditional golf cap.
“It’s the Heritage, right?” he said.
Charles Etta, a longtime Sea Pines Plantation employee, wore a plaid jacket and hat. But taking Plaid Nation Day a step further, some of Etta’s fingernails were painted plaid.
“It’s just fun to do,” Etta said of Plaid Nation Day.
