How RBC Heritage organizers learned lessons from playing two events during pandemic

Like so many endeavors during the COVID-19 pandemic, staging an event or operating a business — or making plans of any kind — became a roller-coaster ride. Up one minute. Then down. And up again.

So many changes. So little time. No “game plan” to consult for last-minute adjustments.

Now?

“At last,” long-time Heritage tournament director Steve Wilmot said. “We’re planning for the event we’re used to having, and we’re looking to get back to where we were in ’19.”

Indeed, the tournament mantra: “Full steam ahead to provide a great experience” for the April 14-17 Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island.

The coronavirus outbreak created this timeline for the RBC Heritage presented by Boeing, the PGA Tour’s annual stop in South Carolina:

▪ March 2020 — tournament canceled a month before its April dates and infrastructure already in place removed.

▪ April 2020 — tournament resurrected on revised schedule to be played in June under strict health protocols and without spectators.

▪ June 2020 — Heritage played as the second event on the Tour’s revised schedule.

▪ December 2020 — tournament preparations under way for 2021 with the understanding that arrangements could be altered at a moment’s notice.

▪ April 2021 — tournament played on its regular place on the schedule with limited attendance.

▪ October 2021 — officials announce the 2022 tournament will be played at full capacity and placed tickets on sale.

The June 2020 Heritage drew the tournament’s best field ever, but the absence of spectators created what Wilmot called a “very odd” scene. Attendance limitations made the 2021 Heritage without robust Friday and Saturday crowds and a light audience on Sunday “manageable but very strange.”

In truth, the past two tournaments became a bridge to reach past the worst of the pandemic and, Wilmot said, “provide an opportunity to get to ’22. It’s all positive now.”

Amid the challenges of forging a championship tournament during a pandemic, Wilmot and his staff discovered “ways we can do things better.”

He talked about better crowd control, how to handle parking in a more efficient manner and ticket pricing, plus eliminating some things

“If you think about it, we’ve had three different tournaments the past three years,” he said. “We had the regular tournament in 2019, no fans in June of ’20 and limited fans this year. Each one is obviously different, and we can pick out the best elements for use in the future.”

Monitoring capacity will be one feature for the future that will play a role in the goal of “enhancing the experience.” The result will lead to things like shorter lines at concession stands or rest rooms. All tickets will be digital. (Ticket information available online at www.rbcheritage.com).

A plus from the sponsorship standpoint comes with the ease of travel restrictions. The Royal Bank of Canada, which sponsors both the Heritage and the Canadian Open, has seen the tournament in Canada canceled the past two years and opportunities to entertain clients limited at Hilton Head.

“(RBC officials) haven’t been able to participate here, and, as you might imagine, are anxious and excited about the ’22 tournament,” Wilmot said. “RBC, Boeing and other sponsors have stuck with the tournament in difficult times, and getting back to where we were in ’19 will be great.”

From experience, Wilmot knows how quickly and unexpectedly situations can change, saying: “You never say never, but I’m excited about the potential. We’ve learned a lot these past 20 or so months, and we’re looking forward to a great experience in April.”

Chip shots. Reigning U.S. Amateur champion Jensen Castle (West Columbia) has earned an automatic spot on the 2022 U.S. Curtis Cup team that will compete against Great Britain and Ireland in June at Merion Golf Club near Philadelphia. ... The South Carolina women’s team used a dominating victory in the Landfall Tradition in Wilmington, North Carolina to climb to No. 3 in the national rankings. Junior Justine Fournand won the individual title and a pair of freshman, Hannah Darling and Louise Rydqvist, tied for fourth. The triumph gave the Gamecocks two wins in their four fall tournaments. Clemson, led by sophomore Annabelle Pancake, placed 12th at Wilmington. ... USC’s men finished second in the Daniel Island Intercollegiate at Daniel Island Club. All-American Ryan Hall finished sixth individually. ... Pake June (Florence) captured the SCJGA’s Cheraw Fall Challenge at Cheraw State Park Golf Course.