RBC Heritage returns to Hilton Head, expected to deliver $135 million economic impact

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (WTOC) - The RBC Heritage returns to Hilton Head Island in the days ahead, bringing many of golf’s top players from the Masters Tournament to Harbour Town Golf Links and drawing tens of thousands of visitors to the Lowcountry.

Tourism and business leaders say the tournament is also one of the island’s biggest economic engines, with the Hilton Head–Bluffton Chamber of Commerce estimating a $135 million boost for local businesses.

“This is when businesses start staffing up, this is when our hotels are full, and the restaurants are full. Everybody is ready for Heritage,” said Charlie Clark, the chamber’s vice president of communications.

The chamber expects about 120,000 people to attend during tournament week.

At ArtWare in Shelter Cove, owner Jennifer Megliore said the influx of visitors is a key moment for retailers heading into the summer tourism season.

“The Heritage week is kind of like Christmas for us,” Megliore said. “It’s the shot in the arm you need to pay your bills, work out all your flaws, take a trial run, and get ready for summer.”

The tournament arrives after a busy stretch that included Easter and spring break travel. Dru Brown, managing partner of Island Time Hilton Head, said the island has seen strong visitor numbers in recent weeks and businesses hope that continues through the tournament.

“It’s really coming in the tail end of a couple of spring break weeks,” Brown said. “So, the island has been very busy for the last couple of weeks, and it’s something we are all happy to see and hope that it continues.”

The RBC Heritage officially begins Tuesday with its opening ceremony.

WTOC plans coverage throughout the week, including tournament updates online and on-air.