RBC Heritage 2025 Drives $135M Economic Impact for South Carolina

The 2025 RBC Heritage tees off from Hilton Head Island in South Carolina this week, but the world’s top golfers are driving more than just golf balls—they’re driving a major economic impact that benefits the entire region.

A study released last year by Clemson University estimates that the RBC Heritage drives over $135 million in economic impact during the tournament week.

Survey Shows RBC Heritage Brings In Affluent Audience

The RBC Heritage continues to draw visitors to South Carolina, many of whom travel specifically for the tournament. 

But it’s not just the number of visitors that makes an impact, it’s the quality of the audience and the spending power that they bring to the table. 

Of the 4,000-plus responses used in the survey data, the majority of people (70%) reported an income of $100,000 or higher, and of those, nearly half (40%) had an income of $200,000 or higher. 

The following insights from the 2024 tournament help illustrate the event’s overall impact and the high-income demographic that it caters to:

• 73% attending indicated the RBC Heritage was primary purpose of visit
• 85% stayed on Hilton Head Island
• 70% report $100,000 or higher, of those, 40% report more than $200,000
• 69% attended the tournament 1-2 days; 31% attended 3 or more days

RBC Heritage Adds Over 1,000 Jobs To South Carolina Economy

The findings are based on a comprehensive survey of over 22,000 attendees, with more than 4,100 usable responses.  

According to research conducted by Clemson University’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, the 2024 tournament generated a staggering $134.9 million in total economic impact during tournament week (April 15–21, 2024). 

After adjusting for inflation, that’s an 11% increase from the last report in 2019, highlighting the tournament’s growing significance to the South Carolina economy.

Here are some of the key ways that the tournament is impacting the economy:

• Direct Spending: $106.6 million
• Jobs ed: 1,161
• Net State and Local Government Revenue: $8 million (after expenses)
• Total Output: $134.9 million

RBC Heritage Is A Destination Event

Unlike other PGA Tour events, the RBC Heritage is truly a destination event, bringing tourists from across the country to a small community in South Carolina. The event gives a major boost to the local South Carolina economy and charitable organizations in the area.

“The RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing continues to be a premiere and important event for the State of South Carolina and the Hilton Head/Beaufort County region,” said Dr. Bob Brookover of the Clemson research team. “Hilton Head Island is a small and unique market for the PGA TOUR, which truly makes it a destination event..”

As fans gather once again in 2025, one thing is clear: this iconic Hilton Head tradition is more than just a tournament—it’s a major win for South Carolina.