Hilton Head Golf News

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Some of golf’s most influential leaders and members of the game’s most prominent associations converged on the nation’s capitol to celebrate a bipartisan Congressional resolution which declared April 16, 2008 as National Golf Day.

The golf leaders discussed the game’s impact on society, in particular its role to the U.S. economy.

The golf industry is the sports and entertainment worlds’ largest contributor to our economy, generating $76 billion in direct economic impact according to a recent study, the 2005 Golf Economy Report, commissioned by World Golf Foundation’s GOLF 20/20 initiative completed earlier this year and released at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla. 

Pace of play is an issue often discussed at the player level. But, members of the American Society of Golf Course Architects are also addressing this at the design level.

"A properly designed, well-drained course with ample playable areas, properly placed bunkers, visible water hazards and smaller greens usually plays fastest," said Steve Forrest, president. "ASGCA architects work with developers to design courses that are challenging but not overwhelming. This keeps play moving without detracting from the player’s overall experience."

Courses offering faster play usually benefit from a combination of factors including quality professional management, and the cooperation both of those playing and those directing play. However, according to Forrest, faster play also results from course designs that pay special attention to routing designs and tactical layouts of tees, greens and fairways.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC – A prestigious quartet of PGA TOUR shotmakers – Davis Love III, Tom Lehman, Charles Howell III and Stephen Ames – have just made commitments to play in the Verizon Heritage, Tournament Director Steve Wilmot announced today.

This group will be joining a field that already includes Defending Champion Boo Weekley, Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Justin Leonard and Stewart Cink.  All will be taking aim at the winner’s check of $990,000 from a record purse of $5.5 million.  The Verizon Heritage will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary April 14-20 over the Harbour Town Golf Links.

The South Carolina Golf Course Ratings Panel has once again named Hilton Head Island’s famed Harbour Town Golf Links as the Palmetto State’s top course, an honor that has been bestowed upon Harbour Town the past four times the prestigious list has been unveiled.

Harbour Town is set to host the 40th edition of the PGA TOUR’s Verizon Heritage April 14-20, bringing the renowned layout even more attention. Harbour Town also consistently ranks in the top 50 of Golf Magazine’s list of the “Top 100 Courses in the America” and “Top 100 Places You Can Play.”

In The Masters: 101 Reasons to Love Golf’s Greatest Tournament, longtime sports writer Ron Green Sr. shares his take on historic moments, legendary players and time-honored traditions that he has experienced during his 50-plus years covering the tournament.

The book is easy to navigate and is appealing to both readers familiar with the Masters or Augusta National and those parties interested in getting acquainted with golf’s first major and the famed club that hosts it.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC - John Daly and J.B. Holmes, two of the longest hitters on the PGA TOUR, plus Brandt Snedeker have just committed to play in the 40th annual Verizon Heritage to be played over the Harbour Town Golf Links, April 14-20.
 
This trio joins an elite group of golfers who have previously committed, including defending champion Boo Weekley, Ernie Els, Zach Johnson, Justin Leonard and Stewart Cink.  All will be shooting for the winner’s check of $990,000 from a record purse of $5.5 million.

Boo Weekley might feel more comfortable at the outdoor superstore Cabela’s than he will at Augusta National Golf Club this coming April when he competes in his first Masters.

He might have a better understanding of the nuances of duck hunting than he does of match play golf but the small-town, country boy from the Florida panhandle certainly knows how to captivate an audience when he speaks.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC - Two South Carolina natives, Dustin Johnson and Tommy Gainey have been awarded Sponsors Exemptions to the 40th annual Verizon Heritage, it was announced Feb.25 at the tournament’s annual Media Day.

Dustin Johnson, who resides in nearby Myrtle Beach, is a former U.S. Walker Cup star who has excelled on the PGA TOUR early this season, earning $446,346 to place 18th on the official money list.  The 27-year old received his card this year by placing 14th in Q-School.  Dustin was a two-time first team All-American at Coastal Carolina.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND – Northern Illinois University’s men’s golf team shot a 325 on a blustery day at Wexford Plantation and finished in a three-way tie for last place at the Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate hosted by Francis Marion University, almost 60 shots back of the winning score for the event.

The Huskies didn’t set any scoring records but they did record a victory for their school and took a step toward transitioning from tragedy to normalcy.

The two-day tournament marked Northern Illinois’ return to athletic competition following a 10-day layoff due to the Feb. 14 campus shootings that prematurely ended the lives of five students. Monday’s opening round also coincided with the return to classes on the NIU campus. 

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC --- Ernie Els and Zach Johnson, two of the most well respected golfers on the PGA TOUR, have just made early commitments to play in the 40th annual Verizon Heritage at the Harbour Town Golf Links, April 14-20.

In addition, Tournament Director Steve Wilmot also announced that Woody Austin and Fred Funk have signed up for the $5.5 million event, with a record $990,000 going to the winner.