RBC Heritage opening ceremonies celebrate Grace, ‘The King,’ and Lowcountry resilience

The opening ceremonies Monday for the 49th annual RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing were a celebration not only of the tournament’s most recent winner Branden Grace, but of its first winner as well.

The legendary Arnold Palmer — ‘The King’ of golf who died in September — won the first Heritage golf tournament at Sea Pines in 1969, forever changing the history of Hilton Head Island in the process.

Palmer’s victory that year “literally put Hilton Head Island on the map and ensured the success of this tournament,” said Heritage Classic Foundation chairman Simon Fraser.

The positive publicity for the island generated by the tournament over the nearly five decades that followed “would be impossible to measure,” he said.

Monday’s tournament kick-off event featured two ceremonial cannon blasts — one celebrating Grace’s victory last year and the other to honor Palmer’s life.

The latter was ignited by Palmer’s grandson and PGA Tour professional Sam Saunders, who is set to play in this year’s RBC Heritage tournament.

Grace spoke about Palmer’s legacy Monday after donning the traditional tartan jacket given to winners of the tournament.

“I’ve had the opportunity to meet Arnie,” the 28-year-old South African said. “He was a great guy and a great mentor — what an inspiration he’s been to all golfers.

“He’s done so much for golf,” Grace said. “… Without him (the sport) wouldn’t be where it is today.”

On being a fellow Heritage champion, he said, “It’s great to be a little part of history that (Palmer) was also part of.”

In addition to celebrating the sport of golf, Monday’s ceremonies were a celebration of area’s resilience following Hurricane Matthew.

Among the many tartan-clad dignitaries enjoying the sun and warm temperatures at 18th hole along the banks of the Calibogue Sound were Hilton Head Island Mayor David Bennett and Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka.

After October’s devastating storm, Bennett recalled “walking up and down the fairways and into Harbour Town, and the amount of debris was almost indescribable.”

“To be standing in the very same spot under these immaculate conditions today is a testament to who we are as a community,” he said.

Sulka agreed, saying, “What we’ve been through has been a real challenge, but we’re here today — what a gorgeous day.”

Grace, too, had nothing but praise for the Hilton Head Island area and everyone involved in the post-hurricane recovery effort.

“Its been a tough year for (tournament organizers), and you can see how they’ve really pulled together and got (the course) back to being one of the best stops on tour,” he said.

Hilton Head Island is “one of those places where you just fall in love the first time you come,” he said.

This story was originally published April 10, 2017 at 1:40 PM with the headline "RBC Heritage opening ceremonies celebrate Grace, ‘The King,’ and Lowcountry resilience."