It was the mid-1980S, the Sea Pines Company was in financial trouble and the future of the Heritage was uncertain. Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island’s own PGA TOUR stop since 1969, was in poor condition because the funds were not available to properly maintain its upkeep. Unless something was done, Harbour Town would lose its spot on the TOUR.
In 1986, Joseph B. Fraser Jr. stepped to the plate with a plan to save the tournament, and in doing so set precedence for giving back to the community.
Fraser, John Curry and Sol Blatt put their heads together and enlisted a group of local businessmen to help. Together they created the Heritage Classic Foundation, a non-profit organization that became the general sponsor of the Heritage, providing the financial stability, guidance and direction the tournament so desperately needed. The men also raised the $300,000 necessary to restore the course to playable condition and acquired the resources needed to for the $1 million in prize money.
By establishing the Foundation as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, they also ensured the tournament would help the community by making more than an economic impact. Any proceeds left over from the tournament were to be donated to local charities. In that first year, the Heritage Classic Foundation distributed $133,695 to 18 charitable organizations. Last year, it donated $1.763 million to more than 100. Thanks to that dedication and support of sponsors, volunteers and spectators, the Foundation to date has donated close to $18.5 million.
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