RBC Picks Up the Heritage: PGA Tour Fully Sponsored for 2012

Kathy Bissell

The Heritage tournament on Hilton Head Island, a haven for golf preppies since the invention of pink and green pants, belts, shirts and hats, has a new title sponsor and a new presenting sponsor. The announcement was made shortly after lunch today, June 16th, and brings the PGA Tour back to a fully sponsored schedule for 2012 and beyond. 

RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) signed a five-year agreement that will go through 2016. The Boeing Company, which has business interests in Charleston, S.C., will be the local presenting sponsor. The tournament will become the RBC Heritage.

“RBC is excited to become title sponsor of this classic tournament that will provide a unique opportunity to associate our brand with one of the PGA Tour’s most liked and well attended tournaments in North America,” said Jim Little, Chief Brand and Communications Officer, RBC. “We are very committed to building our brand and serving our growing client base in the U.S. and the RBC Heritage provides very attractive opportunities for our U.S. businesses to reach target markets and foster new business development.”

“Boeing is delighted to become a part of a prestigious event with such a rich history and positive impact on the region,” said Jim Albaugh, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We’re especially pleased that the RBC Heritage will generate more than $1 million each year in support of South Carolina charities.”

“We are truly grateful that we can celebrate the long-term future of our beloved tournament through the generous commitment of RBC as our new title sponsor, as well as The Boeing Company as our local presenting sponsor,” said Simon Fraser, Chairman of the Heritage Classic Foundation.

RBC Heritage past champions include a number of World Golf Hall of Fame members: Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Hale Irwin, Johnny Miller, Greg Norman, Nick Faldo, Nick Price, Bernhard Langer, Hubert Green and the late Payne Stewart.