Well..it is almost here. The RBC Heritage AND the grand opening of the new Harbour Town Clubhouse. If the PGA pros thought that Hilton Head Island was their favorite stop on the tour already, just wait until they see what we have ready for them.
I've been driving around construction cones and under cranes for months. I can't wait for the doors to open. Here's the buzz on the new clubhouse...
FROM THE ISLAND PACKET NEWSPAPER
February 23, 2015
The biggest news to come out of the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing on Monday was confirmation that construction on the new Harbour Town Clubhouse is ahead of schedule and the building will be ready well in time for the 47th RBC Heritage to be held April 13 through 19.
"We're ahead of schedule, and we're expecting to receive our certificate of occupancy the first week in march," Sea Pines Resort president Steve Birdwell said. "We are expected to open around the end of March."
March 25 is the target date for opening.
The clubhouse isn't the only project Sea Pines has in the works. Birdwell ran down the list of undertakings that will soon get started.
Harbour Town Golf LInks will close May 4 and remain closed for 4 1/2 months for some "enhancements."
"It will be a hit to our revenue," Birdwell said, "but we have our eye on the future."
Tif-Eagle Bermuda will be installed on all greens and all tees, fairways and roughs will be replaced with Celebration Bermuda.
There will be a state-of-the-art irrigation system installed, as well. There will be, however, no design changes, according to Birdwell.
That's not the case for the Ocean Course, which will close in November for a full Davis Love III redesign.
The course will re-open in September 2016.
"We're really looking forward to the future," Birdwell said.
Of course, Sea Pines recently opened the Plantation Club, the 23,000-square-foot clubhouse that serves the Heron Point and Ocean Point courses.
"It's been very well received by players this fall and winter," Birdwell said.
NEW PRO-AM
In an effort to take advantage of the golf market in Savannah, which no longer hosts the Champions Tour's Legends of Golf, the RBC Heritage will hold a secondary pro-am on the Wednesday of the tournament at the Westin-Savannah Harbour Golf Resort and Spa, according to tournament director Steve Wilmot.
"We want those people to know that 278 is a lot better than it used to be. Parking is a lot better," Wilmot said. "We want these people come over and experience world-class amenities and world-class golf."
More information on this release should be available later this week, Wilmot said.
FLYOVER OR NO FLYOVER
Jack Jones, Boeing South Carolina's vice president and general manager, wouldn't confirm there would be a flyover this year.
But he certainly didn't deny it.
"We'll be talking here in a while with Simon (Fraser) and Steve about having a flyover," Jones said. "I'm not going to tell you guys right now."
A LONG TENURE
This year will mark the 29th tournament for longtime tournament director Wilmot.
"I continue to learn each and every day," Wilmot said. "I'll learn today, too."
MAYORS IN ATTENDANCE
New Hilton Head Island Mayor David Bennett spoke at the first media day gathering since he took office. Bennett defeated Drew Laughlln last November.
Loughlin called the RBC Heritage "extraordinarily significant and symbolic to Hilton Head Island."
He thanked the volunteers that make it happen, the unique island setting and the event itself.
Bluffton mayor Lisa Sulka was present, as well.
SET YOUR CLOCKS UP
Wilmot said, given how busy the Monday of tournament week is, that the opening ceremonies will move from the traditional noon time slot to 11 a.m.
THE BYRD IS IN
Jonathan Byrd will be in the RBC Heritage field, one way or the other.
The Clemson product and five-time PGA Tour winner has been offered an exemption if he doesn't earn his way in.
It's the same scenario Byrd followed last year, according to Wilmot.
