We are all concerned about the Annual Heritage Golf Tournament on Hilton Head Island; we have enjoyed the week after the Masters which many consider to be fantastic. 

A recent article in the local Island Packet said that the golf tournament will be changed to two weeks after the Masters; a Texas tournament taking our usual spot.  We are concerned about this, but what we are most concerned about it maintaining the Heritage.  Losing this golf tournament would be a major blow to our market. 

We will keep you posted on any other news.

New to Hilton Head Island, Chamber Golf Week was created to encourage people to get out and play in this phenomenal place we call home.  All this week there are special offers and events – all to benefit and support the upcoming Verizon Heritage Golf Tournament in April. 

Click here for more details and to see a full schedule of events this week or visit the Hilton Head Island Chamber of Commerce.

I recently had the opportunity to work with a couple who had traveled all over the world working for different companies.  When it came time to retire, they wanted to retire and live in Hilton Head.  This couple was fortunate because they had a choice as to where they could live – most people don’t have a choice, their job is keeping them somewhere, or perhaps family.

I asked them why they liked Hilton Head Island the best.  They said they loved it because of the great climate and the great amenities including the beautiful beaches, world class golf courses, tennis courts, fine dining and entertainment. 

I consider myself one of the luckiest people in the world to get to live and work on Hilton Head – one of the best places to live!

The headlines of The Island Packet read – Verizon drops Heritage sponsorship. 

Many people have asked what kind of effect this would have on the Hilton Head Island real estate market.  Unfortunately, I do not know.

After 2010, Verizon is dropping their sponsorship of the tournament and we wait, and hope to find another sponsor.  Since 1969 we have looked forward to the beginning of spring and the PGA Heritage Golf Tournament at the famed Harbour Town Golf Course in Sea Pines Plantation. 

Now we will have to wait and see what kind of effect this has on our beautiful Hilton Head Island.

In the latest issue of Health Magazine, a panel of health and travel experts set out to find the healthiest and beach and lake towns in the United States.  Hilton Head Island proudly rounded out the top five out when looking at several criteria including air and water quality, number of parks and costs of hotels. 

Health.com said:

If you’re a golf nut, Hilton Head is for you. There are 20 public golf courses to choose from. But there’s plenty to do for non-golfers, too. Besides 12 miles of beaches, there are 200 tennis courts and 75 miles of bike paths. You can even paddle your kayak through breathtaking salt marshes and lagoons. “It’s a fitness enthusiast’s dream come true,” Dr. Joy says.

And don’t worry: There’s more than heavy Southern fare available. “Local fish is very popular here,” panelist Ruth Frechman, RD, says. “Some chefs go out of their way to buy produce from farmers in the area.” Great spots to try: Signe’s Heaven Bound Bakery and Café, which serves veggie sandwiches on its homemade eight-grain bread, and River House at the Inn at Palmetto Bluff, where much of the produce comes from organic or small family farms.

Just another reason why we call Hilton Head Island our corner of paradise!

I had a great time at the Verizon Heritage golf tournament this past weekend.  I watched the leader through the first 15 holes and after he birdied 15 I hopped in my car and drove home to watch the last few holes on television.  I got home in time to see the leader play 17 and 18. 

The footage of 18 was the most spectacular footage I have ever seen.  They shot it from the air and once I saw that, I thought to myself that millions of people are going to see this and they are all going to want to come to Hilton Head.  I never realized how valuable a tool of the Heritage on Hilton Head Island is.

Over the years I have had many people tell me that they first heard about Hilton Head by watching the golf tournament on television; obviously that is a big boost for us.

Wow – what a Heritage!  Four days of absolutely perfect weather – what are the chances of that happening? 

I have often wondered what is the value of the Verizon Heritage is to Hilton Head Island. 

How many people buy property on Hilton Head simply because the first time they came to the island was for the Heritage golf tournament and they fell in love with the island. 

How many people saw the Verizon Heritage on television and thought this was the most beautiful place – we should go for a vacation there and ended up buying property on Hilton Head?

Nobody will ever know the actual value of the tournament to real estate values on Hilton Head; but I can assure you it is a lot more than any of us can probably figure.

One of the main reasons people buy real estate on Hilton Head is because it is a great place to vacation, the weather is good, the amenities are good and it is a fun place.  Anyone who was at the Heritage tournament this weekend they had lots of fun – excitement, good golf, great weather – what more could someone ask for on Hilton Head Island?

I had someone ask what would happen to Hilton Head if we did not have the Heritage.  Let’s hope that does not happen – I think our Heritage Classic committee is doing a good job to ensure that the tournament stays here, but I do know it affects real estate values and the local economy. 

I would love to see more of our locals in attendance at the tournament.  People spend thousands to come to Hilton Head to go to the golf tournament.  As locals, all we have to do is buy a $135 pass – we already have a place to stay and we are already here.  It makes sense.

Next year I want to encourage more of my clients to attend the Heritage; it is a great event and I’m glad we have it on Hilton Head Island.

Heritage week has always been the greatest week of the year to be on Hilton Head Island. 

I remember when I first moved here and my first Heritage which was March of 1982.  This was back in the old days when we were the week before the Masters. 

I had never been to a golf tournament before and I asked my sales manager, Rick Turner, what to do and he suggested that I just go down there and pick someone out and follow them.

I took my 2 year old daughter and we got to the golf tournament and picked out a young man to follow.

It happened to be Fred Couples playing in one of his first events and I have been a Fred Couple’s fan ever since.  He played great in the tournament and ended up in about 3rd place.

Let me encourage you to pick out a player and follow them for a week and you will have the time of your life.

Hilton Head Island will welcome golfers and thousands of tourists and golf fans this weekend for the 41st annual Verizon Heritage golf tournament at Harbour Town.  Monday marked the opening ceremonies with the first golf swing by Boo Weekley, two-time defending champ and simulataneous cannon shot into the Calibogue Sound. 

With activities going on all week long, the tournament officially begins Thursday.  For up to date information and activities on Hilton Head Island concerning the Verizon Heritage visit The Island Packet.