Overlooking the world’s most unique 19th hole –The Harbour Town Yacht Basin – the Sea Pines Lighthouse is dressed in “Heritage” Tartan
Just off the enormous clubhouse watch the pros putt with a refreshing libation
TOUR by avoiding the trees lining the tight fairways and numerous well-placed water hazards. But the beauty of this Dye masterpiece is that it is fair to all even the shortest of hitters as long as they are able to navigate the entrances into the greens and the ever-present winds off the Calibogue Sound. The list of winners of the tartan jacket reads like a Who’s Who of golf’s legends - Arnold Palmer, Johnny Miller, Hale Irwin, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Nick Faldo, Bernard Langer, Greg Norman, Davis Love III, Payne Stewart, Nick Price, Jim Furyk, Graeme McDowell and Matt Kuchar headlining the list. But one of the keys to the RBC Heritage garnering a stellar field year-in-and-year-out is that everyone feels that they have a chance to win – not just the longest hitters on TOUR. That was especially case in point this year as the final round’s tournament leader by a shot, current World’s Number 1, one of the longest hitters on TOUR and South Carolina native, Dustin Johnson, faded as did Ian Poulter, Shane Lowery, Patrick Cantlay, Matt Kuchar, Trey Mullinax and a slew of other more recognized names off a crowded Sunday leaderboard. That’s because the layout favors ball striking and precision hitting, closely followed by accurate putting once you find the tiny dance floors. This year’s welldeserved champion, C.T. Pan, mastered all the above perfectly to secure his first PGA TOUR victory and guarantee he’ll be in the 2020 Masters field before making the drive to next year’s RBC Heritage. A bit like David in a fitting Easter story, the Golf Central • Volume 20, Issue 2
5 foot 6 inch Pan who is an unimpressive 170th in driving distance took down the Goliath’s of the long drive. As exciting as the action is on the course, off course is just as rewarding. A short chip shot from the 18th green is the famous Harbour Town Yacht Basin sight of the one of the world’s greatest 19th holes – with what seems every
yacht hosting a lively cocktail party. The pros all enjoy the great restaurants around Hilton Head and you are likely to see them out and about after their rounds around the Island. Make plans now to be a part of South Carolina’s favorite sporting event in 2020 by visiting www.RBCHeritage.com. www. SeaPines.com and hiltonhead.com.
2018 Champion Satoshi Kodaira opens the 2019 tournament by "driving the ball in" to a canon shot 27