News about Hilton Head Island

The Heritage, Off or On?
7-30-10 — Confusion abounds when it comes to whether The Heritage Classic is off or on for 2011.

The event, which began in 1969, was sponsored by Verizon from 1987 until last year. But, in September the phone company said ‘no mo.’

Tournament director Steve Wilmot at one point said The Heritage Foundation had enough money to achieve PGA Tour sanctioning; then he recanted.

In reality, it seems that The Heritage Foundation right now has neither a major sponsor nor enough money to become a PGA Tour event.

So, how much is enough?

The numbers being reported are fuzzy. But it appears that for openers the Heritage needs $5.7 million cash for the purse plus more money for TV ad expenses. Those total to something over $6 million. And The Heritage managers seem to be about $2 million short, according to press accounts.

In order to keep play going, local entities — read: governments — may have to make up the shortfall, which might be the only just thing to do since the 2010 Heritage contributed over $81 million to the local economy including over $4 million in local tax revenues.

Here’s a link to the Savannah Morning News story.



More Fund-raising seeks to pay for 2011 Heritage Classic Update as of 9-25-10 — While the 2011 Heritage Classic at Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island has been slotted by the PGA Tour for April 18-24, it is by no means assured of a tour position in future years. That depends on whether the the Heritage Classic Foundation can manage to sign a lead sponsor for the event to replace the departed Verizon. The PGA's commitment to accept the Heritage Classic as part of the 2011 Tour was slow in coming because event leaders had not secured a replacement sponsor willing to cover the event's costs of over $7 million, about $6 million of which would be devoted to paying the winning golfers. The delayed PGA commitment also resulted, in part, in rescheduling the tournament from its traditional week immediately after The Masters in Augusta, GA, to the second week after The Masters, April 18-24. This will place the Heritage in direct calendar competition with another tournament in Savannah, Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf. To ensure sufficient funds stage The Heritage, the Town of Hilton Head Island and Beaufort County each committed for $1 million, which is in addition to the $4 million the Heritage Classic Foundation has available to underwrite the 2011 event. (See stories below for funding details.) Now, to further help ensure sufficient funds for the event, the Heritage Sponsor Partnership Club, which is composed of local business leaders, has begun an effort to raise $250,000 to help stage the event. Last year, the Partnership Club raised approximately $102,000.
Heritage reality gets closer 8-17-10 — The Island Packet again reports progress of a sort regarding the Heritage Classic. The local paper quotes Simon Fraser, chairman of the classic, as saying, "I think we have a final agreement. Although I haven't heard back from the Tour; it's been 100% approved." As to the date, traditionally the week after The Master, "You just don't know," Fraser told the paper. Despite great expectations, the Heritage Classic tournament is not on the Tour until it is on the Tour, and that has not happened yet.
Town and county commit $2 million 8-10-10 — The town of Hilton Head and Beaufort County each have committed $1 million as acts of good faith that the organizers of The Heritage golf classic will be able to generate sustaining supporters, according to news reports. The Island Packet newspaper characterizes the funds as loans. Details of when the money from each taxing entity will be available to the Heritage Foundation differ, according to the newspaper. Read their full story here.
"Save the Heritage" editorial 8-8-10 — The Hilton Head business community and residents are clearly worried that they may lose The Heritage Classic and the $80+ million in revenue the event brings into the area. And rightfully so. Here are the top two paragraphs from today's editorial in the Island Packet, the local paper. The Low country is perilously close to losing a signature event that has brought this region immeasurable national television exposure, more than $20 million to local and regional charities and an annual economic impact of nearly $82 million, including $4 million in tax revenue to local governments. If contributions of $1 million each from the Town of Hilton Head Island and Beaufort County will buy the Heritage Classic Foundation more time to find private corporate sponsorship for the PGA Tour event staged at Sea Pines' Harbour Town Golf Links, it will be money well spent. Read the full commentary here.
The Heritage, Off or On? 7-30-10 — Confusion abounds when it comes to whether The Heritage Classic is off or on for 2011. The event, which began in 1969, was sponsored by Verizon from 1987 until last year. But, in September the phone company said ‘no mo.’ Tournament director Steve Wilmot at one point said The Heritage Foundation had enough money to achieve PGA Tour sanctioning; then he recanted. In reality, it seems that The Heritage Foundation right now has neither a major sponsor nor enough money to become a PGA Tour event. So, how much is enough? The numbers being reported are fuzzy. But it appears that for openers the Heritage needs $5.7 million cash for the purse plus more money for TV ad expenses. Those total to something over $6 million. And The Heritage managers seem to be about $2 million short, according to press accounts. In order to keep play going, local entities — read: governments — may have to make up the shortfall, which might be the only just thing to do since the 2010 Heritage contributed over $81 million to the local economy including over $4 million in local tax revenues. Here’s a link to the Savannah Morning News story.



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