RBC New Title Sponsor Of Heritage

The PGA TOUR, Heritage Classic Foundation and RBC announced Thursday that RBC has signed a five-year agreement to become the new title sponsor of the RBC Heritage through 2016.

In addition to RBC's title sponsorship, The Boeing Company, which has a significant presence in Charleston, S.C., will serve as local presenting sponsor for the tournament.

The announcement was made during a news conference at Hilton Head Island that included South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem.

"This is a great day in South Carolina, and we're going to celebrate," said Gov. Haley. "We said from day one that finding a private sponsor for The Heritage was one of this administration's top priorities because the tournament is an opportunity for us to showcase our state as one of this country's premier destinations for business and tourists and that we shouldn't rely on taxpayers to foot the bill."

The RBC Heritage, which for 2012 will return to its traditional week in April immediately following the Masters Tournament, has been an important element of South Carolina's culture and economy since 1969, when it debuted at the Pete Dye-designed Harbour Town Golf Links.

The tournament generates more than $1 million for charity each year and brings worldwide exposure to Hilton Head Island and the state of South Carolina through telecasts and media coverage. A 2010 study conducted by Clemson University shows the tournament has an annual economic impact of approximately $82 million.