Hilton Head parties smaller than usual, but here’s how fans are watching Heritage
JoAn and Ron Taylor can tell the field at this year’s RBC Heritage is stronger than ever without leaving their home in Hilton Head’s Sea Pines. The balls landing on their deck are a clear indication.
“We’ve never been in the line of fire before,” JoAn Taylor said Wednesday after the players practiced from the driving range before the tournament. “That’s a long hit!”
The Taylors have a home along the 8th green at Harbour Town Golf Links, where some of the best players in the world teed off Thursday morning for the first round of the PGA Tour event delayed because of coronavirus and now taking place with no spectators present.
Those who happen to live or be staying at a home along the course are the only ones who will be witness to live play. Everyone else will have to watch a televised broadcast.
“It’s better than not having it,” Taylor said, comparing the annual tournament to the fun and excitement of Christmas.
The Taylors, who usually host a backyard party for 50-60 people on the Thursday and Friday of Heritage, are having only their children and grandchildren over this year to respect coronavirus social distancing recommendations. Instead of six batches of JoAn’s famous Oklahoma Rattlesnake Chili — the secret is that there’s not actual rattlesnake meat in this made-in-South Carolina version — she’ll need only one as they cheer for favorites Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy.
Smaller parties, or no parties, seem to be the norm this year, said Hilton Head restaurateur and caterer Roy Prescott of Roy’s Place. He said he’s missed only one Heritage in the tournament’s 52 years.
He had been scheduled to cater events at two hospitality suites on the 18th green before the original tournament was canceled. Now, he’s got only one order for a couple of trays on Saturday.
“I haven’t had a lot of requests,” he said. “I think everybody’s just doing little things, probably not having more than 10 people.”
Despite his disappointment about having to watch the tournament on television this year, Prescott said he will be making the best of it. When life hands you lemons, make Limoncello, as the saying (sort of) goes.
“I’m going to have a cocktail and pretend I’m on No. 18,” he said.
At Harbour Town Yacht Basin on Wednesday, golf fans on vacation also said they were disappointed by the lack of spectators this year.
Austin Delucia, 24, of Raleigh, said his family decided to visit Hilton Head this week because of the June 18-21 Heritage schedule.
Delucia, who’s a fan of Aiken-born golfer Kevin Kisner and has loved the sport for years, said he knew about the tournament’s COVID-19 restrictions beforehand but was still bummed.
“We’re gonna try to catch a little bit on TV,” he said. “Obviously it’s not the same as watching in person. … Definitely wish we could have been close to look at it.”
Larry Gordon, 71, who lives just north of Oklahoma City and has been visiting the island with his family for decades, echoed Delucia.
“I’m an avid golfer,” he said. “In fact, I’m so avid I have my own putting green in my backyard that I maintain.”
Gordon said his family visits Hilton Head every couple of years during the same week in June, so they just happened to be here during the rescheduled Heritage.
Even with the coronavirus limitations, Gordon said he was glad the PGA Tour had resumed play.
His son-in-law, Kenny Hobgood, 42, also said he was happy the tour managed to bring back some events.
“I love it. Any sports right now is good for America,” said Hobgood, also from Oklahoma. “Even if there’s no fans, I’ll still be at home watching it.”
How to watch Heritage
Friday:
Live stream at PGAtour.com/live: 6:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. (featured groups)
The Golf Channel: 3-6 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday:
Live stream at PGAtour.com/live: 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. (featured groups); 3 to 6 p.m. (featured holes)
The Golf Channel: 1-2:30 p.m.
CBS: 3-6 p.m.
This story was originally published June 18, 2020 at 1:58 PM.
