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Pro Golf newsRBC writes $8-million check to savethe heritage ClassicSpecial Report for Carolina Golf JournalThe Heritage Classic has beensaved by the Royal Bank ofCanada (RBC) as its new titlesponsor, ensuring the PGA Tour willcontinue to make an annual stop inHilton Head, South Carolina for thenext five years.Officials said the tournament atHilton Head Island will be renamedthe RBC-Heritage through 2016.Boeing which has opened a massiveproduction plant in Charleston, SC,will serve as a local sponsor.“We are delighted that RBC, alreadya great partner of the PGATOUR as title sponsor of the RBCCanadian Open, has made this significantcommitment to secure TheHeritage’s future,” said PGA TOURCommissioner Tim Finchem. “Weare also very appreciative of Boeing’ssignificant support as theevent’s presenting sponsor.”Traditionally played the weekafter the Masters, the Heritage isoften associated with the iconiclighthouse near the 18th green atHarbour Town Golf Links. It hadbeen looking for a title sponsor sinceVerizon pulled out after last year'stournament.The Heritage, aPGA Tour fixturesince 1969, had beendesperately seekingthe $8 million itwould take to underwritethe tournament.The HeritageClassic Foundationcobbled together $5million to hold thetournament this pastApril. That was notfeasible for 2012.The foundation depletedits funds, andwhile Gov. Nikki Haley pledgedsupport for the event, she said taxpayermoney was not an option tokeep it going.“This is a great day in SouthCarolina,” Haley said. “Finding aprivate sponsor for The Heritagewas one of this administration's toppriorities – because the tournamentis an opportunity for us to showcaseour state as one of this country's premierdestinations for business andtourists – and that we shouldn't relyon taxpayers to foot thebill.”The island was alittle spot at the bottomof the state when PeteDye crafted the HarbourTown course. It's lessthan 7,000 yards, yet itsfairways are tight, itsgreens are small and fast, and thewind off Calibogue Sound typicallymakes the final three holes some ofthe most difficult on the tour.Arnold Palmer won the inauguralevent in 1969, and the list ofchampions includes Jack Nicklaus,Tom Watson, Nick Faldo and GregNorman.Seven of the top 20 players tookpart in this year's tournament. No. 3Luke Donald had the chance to riseto No. 1 before losing in a dramatic,three-hole playoff to BrandtSnedeker.The Heritage Classic Foundationreleased a study that found the 2010golf tournament brought nearly $82million to South Carolina and thecoastal region. Money that wouldhave been lost in the coming years ifRBC and Boeing hadn’t stepped upas sponsors through 2016.14 - www.CarolinaGolfJournal.Com - Summer 2011_____________________________________________________________Photo Credit: Jay Karr/the Associated PressSouth Carolina Gov. Nikki haley, left, and heritage ClassicFoundation Chairman Simon Fraser applaud as Royal Bank ofCanada representative Jim Little puts on a heritage tartanjacket as new sponsor the heritage Classic golf tournament forthe next five years.