Hilton Head’s RBC Heritage still on as PGA Tour keeps fans from earlier golf events
The RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing PGA Tour event will still be played on Hilton Head Island next month even as other events cancel amid coronavirus concerns, event organizers told The Island Packet Thursday.
The golf tournament is scheduled for April 13 through April 19 at Harbour Town Golf Links in Sea Pines on Hilton Head.
Steve Wilmot, the tournament’s director, said his staff is in daily contact with health officials and PGA Tour to determine the best way to go.
“We’re closely monitoring the entire situation,” he said. “But we’re still a month away.”
Wilmot said none of the players has pulled out of the tournament, even after PGA Tour announced Thursday that all tour events between The Players Championship (played March 13-15) and the Valero Texas Open (played March 30-April 5) would go on without spectators.
“It’s important to note, that could change, but for the time being, this decision allows the PGA Tour, our fans and constituents to plan, prepare and respond as events develop,” the announcement from PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said.
Wilmot said a few spectators have inquired about the ticket policies at Heritage, but the event wasn’t seeing massive requests for refunds. Regardless, he said attendees can expect less people at the event this year.
“This is uncharted waters for us,” Wilmot said. “It’s not just our event, it’s the community’s event .... There’s a lot of moving parts and we’re all in this together.”
RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing brings nearly $105 million into Beaufort County’s hotels, restaurants, car rental businesses and caterers.
Wilmot called it the biggest event in South Carolina.
“I feel quite a bit of a responsibility,” he said. “We’re not going to do it for the almighty dollar. We’re going to make the right decision.”
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 12:50 PM.
