THE ISLAND PACKET • APRIL 17, 2014 • The Beaufort Gazette 4 heritage.islandpacket.com

SAFE AND SOUNDNew PGA Tour rules mean spectators will meet increased security at Harbour Town

By STEPHEN FASTENAUsfastenau@islandpacket.com843-706-8182

Spectators this week have been greeted with increased security and will continue to face the stricter rules during tournament rounds.

New measures for this year’s RBC Heri-tage Presented by Boeing limit the size of bags allowed on the course and require security personnel to “wand” all specta-tors before they enter. The new PGA Tour policies were first announced in October, in response to events such as the Boston Marathon bombings last April and height-ened security requirements in other sports venues, RBC Heritage tournament director Steve Wilmot said.

The updated policy reads:• Security officers will be screening all

spectators by wanding them at tourna-ment checkpoints including the shuttle bus parking lots, the main entrance and several other golf course access points.

• No bags larger than a small purse 6 inch-es by 6 inches will be allowed. This includes all carrying cases, backpacks, camera bags

or portable chair bags. These prohibited items will not be allowed on our shuttle buses or the Harbour Town Golf Links. Clear plastic or vinyl bags smaller than 12 by 6 by 12 will be allowed.

• Spectators riding the shuttle buses will be reminded of the new policies before boarding and will not be permitted to take prohibited items on the buses.

• The RBC Heritage is providing lanyards to all spectators. Tickets and badges must be displayed from lanyards at all times. Security will be checking to make sure everyone on the golf course is wearing a tournament badge or ticket.

Properly securing a golf tournament can be difficult, said Andy Pazder, the PGA Tour’s vice president and chief of opera-tions.

“Our arena is 150 acres,” he said at RBC Heritage media day in February. “The Seat-tle Seahawks secure an 80,000-seat stadium — there is a door in and a door out. It’d be easier to secure than a place like Harbour Town that’s got a million and a half ways to get on the golf course. So our obligation is having a security program that provides as

safe an environment as possible.”In the face of increased security and

some cost-cutting, some PGA Tour tour-naments have implemented more drastic measures.

The Northern Trust Open and Farmers Insurance Open are among tournaments that closed to spectators on Tuesday this season.

Pazder said the tour has found instances this season where it has made sense to close a practice round, citing a cost-ben-efit analysis. Security, uniformed police of-ficers and resting volunteers are all factors, he said.

“And then in some cases, opening on Tuesday is kind of a flat opening,” Pazder said. “Not many people come out to the golf course, and we prefer to have that big opening on Wednesday for the pro-am when there are scheduled tee times, and you know you’re going to come because you know if you’re on the first tee at noon, you’re going to see Graeme McDowell.”

Follow reporter Stephen Fastenau at twitter.com/IPBG_Stephen.

What: 46th RBC Heritage Presented By BoeingWhen: April 17-20, 2013Where: Harbour Town Golf Links, Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head IslandPar: 36-35—71Yardage: 3,540-3,561—7,101Format: 72 holes of stroke playCourse designer: Pete Dye with Jack NicklausCourse features: Narrow, tight fairways; abundant wa-ter and sand hazards; small greens; winds through pines, palms and oak forests; fronts on Calibouge Sound with view of the marsh and Har-bour Town Yacht Basin Defending champion: Graeme McDowellPast champions: Arnold Palmer, Bob Goalby, Hale Ir-win, Johnny Miller, Jack Nick-laus, Hubert Green, Graham Marsh, Tom Watson, Doug Tewell, Bill Rogers, Fuzzy Zoeller, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Davis Love III, Greg Norman, Payne Stewart, David Edwards, Bob Tway, Loren Roberts, Nick Price,

Glen Day, Stewart Cink, Jose Coceres, Justin Leonard, Pe-ter Lonard, Aaron Baddeley, Boo Weekley, Brian Gay, Jim Furyk, Brandt Snedeker, Carl PetterssonTotal prize money: $5,800,000 Winner’s share: $1,044,000 Playoff: If necessary, a sud-den-death playoff will be conducted, starting at the 18th hole. Field: 132 invited players who qualify in at least one of the 22 categories of eligibilityTitle sponsor: Royal Bank of CanadaPresenting sponsor: BoeingTournament director: Steve WilmotDirector of golf: John FarrellCourse superintendent: Jon WrightLive TV: The Golf Channel — Thursday: 3-6 p.m.; Friday: 3-6 p.m.; Saturday: 1-2:30 p.m.; Sunday: 1-2:30 p.m; CBS — Saturday: 3-6 p.m.; Sun-day: 3-6 p.m. Replay: The Golf Channel —Thursday: 8:30-11:30 p.m.; Friday: 8:30-11:30 p.m.

THURSDAY• First round, Harbour Town Golf Links, all dayFRIDAY• Second round, Harbour Town Golf Links, all daySATURDAY• Third round, Harbour Town Golf Links, all day• Plaid Nation Day contest and activities on the Heritage Lawn. Fans are encouraged to wear their best Heritage attire, noon-2 p.m.• Concert on the Heritage Lawn featuring the Headliners, after play -8 p.m.SUNDAY• Easter Sunrise Church Service at 18th green, 7:30 a.m.• Easter Egg Hunt on the Heritage Lawn, after Sunrise Service• Final round, Harbour Town Golf Links, 8:30 a.m.• Closing ceremonies at 18th green, after play

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

TOURNAMENT AT A GLANCE

AutographsA player may not sign auto-

graphs until his round is com-pleted, except at his option during a period of suspension of play. Autographed items are limited to a size of 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches. Clipboards are not allowed.

Camera policy Cameras are not permitted dur-

ing tournament play.

Mobile devicesPlease silence your mobile devic-

es. Calls are only permitted in des-ignated areas. No video recording is allowed at any time. Violations may result in confiscation of the mobile device or removal from the tournament. Be respectful of play.

Junior admissionJuniors ages 15 and younger can

attend the RBC Heritage free when accompanied by a ticketed adult.

Merchandise tentThe Official Merchandise Pavil-

ion is in a new location. It is located between Nos. 1 and 9 in front of the Heritage Expo Village.

Methods of paymentCash must be used at all conces-

sion stands. Credit cards, travelers checks and cash are accepted in the clubhouse, Heritage Pavilion, merchandise tent, shared hospital-ity venues and Ticket Office.

ATM machinesATM machines are located at the

tournament’s merchandise tent, the RBC Fan Experience Tent and the Michelob Ultra 19th Hole.

BleachersBleachers are located through-

out Harbour Town Golf Links. Ac-cess is on a first-come, first-serve basis and is free for all spectators. Wheelchair accessible viewing areas are located at the 13th, 15th, 17th and 18th greens.

Concession standsConcession stands are located

in the following areas: second green, 10th fairway, 15th green, 17th green, eighth green, 13th green, 18th green and the Heritage Expo Village between Nos. 1 and 9. Food and beverages are also available

for purchase at the Heritage Pa-vilion and the Michelob Ultra 19th Hole. The Grey Goose Lounge on The Heritage Lawn offers tapas and cocktails for spectators who are of legal drinking age.

First aidFirst Aid Stations can be found at

the Heritage Expo Village, between Nos. 1 and 9. If the need for medi-cal assistance should occur, please notify the nearest RBC Heritage volunteer.

Lost and foundLost and found is located in the

Ticket Office located in Clubhouse parking lot.

SPECTATOR INFORMATION

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THE ISLAND PACKET • APRIL 17, 2014 • The Beaufort Gazette 24 heritage.islandpacket.com