In April, the week after the Masters, the PGA Tour takes a collective breath and heads to the relaxing atmosphere of Hilton Head for the RBC Heritage Classic. Harbour Town Golf Links, in the Sea Pines Resort, is only 130 miles from the hallowed grounds of Augusta National, but a million-light years away from the pressure cooker that is the Masters.
Hilton Head was the dream of founder, Charles Frazier and he commissioned the first course built on Hilton Head Island, Atlantic Dunes in 1962. Two more courses, The Marsh, in 1964, and Harbour Town Golf Links in 1969 completed the golf offerings of the resort.
The Marsh was later redesigned by Pete Dye and renamed Heron Point. It can be stretched to 7,035 yards but can play considerably shorter from any of the seven sets of tees. Risk-reward is the motto of Dye’s design with water hazards, sand and mounding framing target areas and greens.
Davis Love III won the RBC Heritage Classic on five occasions and was the logical choice to renovate the historic Atlantic Dunes Course in 2017. Love entirely rebuilt holes to accommodate modern shot values and frame scenic corridors. The new course features a pronounced seaside ambience and Lowcountry feel accented by coquina shells and seaside grasses. The project incorporated elements of the surrounding beachfront along with the area’s bounty of native pines and oaks lining the fairways.
Harbour Town Golf Links was designed by Pete Dye with consultation by Jack Nicklaus and opened for play in 1969. The inaugural Heritage Classic was held that same year with the “King,” Arnold Palmer crowned the first champion.
The course weaves among tall pines, water hazards and small bunkers featuring Dye’s recognizable trademark railroad ties. The course places a premium on accuracy and past winners of the RBC Heritage include some of the best ball strikers the game has ever seen.
The final two holes on Harbour Town Golf Links play alongside Calibogue Sound, back to the Tartan and White striped Lighthouse at the Marina. The par-3 17th plays over the edge of the sound to a green slanting slightly away from the tee. The drive on the iconic 18th must carry the marsh to find the wide landing area. The approach shot is hit to a tiny green with the sound bordering the left side, while the wind whips off the sound and across the hole. It is not for the weak of heart.
The Sea Pines Resort offers much more than just great golf. The Ocean Club sits beside the wide beach and offers one of best dining experiences anywhere. The Inn at Harbour Town is a boutique luxury hotel with views of the first tee, ninth green and driving range of Harbour Town Links.
The Clubhouse at Harbour Town Links features a tribute room to Pete Dye and the menu at the American Grill offers world-class cuisine, while enjoying a picturesque view of the course.
The Sea Pines Resort offers great golf, fabulous accommodations and the best dining possible. The setting and first-class service will calm frayed nerves, as well as, provide a relaxing escape from the real world.
