Defending champion Justin Leonard leads the pack for the newly named Verizon Heritage of Golf, in what promises to be a pretty strong field.
Coming the week after the Masters in nearby Augusta, Hilton Head’s premier event sometimes has difficulty attracting the very top names, but the 2006 field will include names familiar to many who are not even casual sports fans - Davis Love III, Justin Leonard, Nick Faldo, Stewart Cink, Bernhard Langer, and Bob Tway will all appear this year.

What a great way to beat the lines after you check in to your vacation rental…have your groceries home delivered.
A new local service, Groceries n More, promises to make life easier by allowing you to shop online and then bringing you the shopping.
For those visitors who would rather start enjoying their Hilton Head vacation on the beach rather than in line at Piggly Wiggly this could be a great idea. Delivery prices start at $9.95. Learn more at www.Groceries-n-More.com

The Island Packet has an interesting article about Hilton Head tourism rising despite a slow down in National bookings.

The Packet reports that,

“Hilton Head had an occupancy increase of 2.7 percent through November, compared with 2004.

“It compares favorably to other destinations,” said Charlie Clark, spokeswoman for the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce.

Charleston had an increase of slightly less than 1 percent, Myrtle Beach had an increase of 1.8 percent and Savannah was down 3.5 percent, Clark said.

The chamber doesn’t collect information on advance summer reservations until April or May, Clark said, but she said talks with hotel and villa managers indicate that summer advance bookings are up from last year.”

Why is this? Natural beauty? Great beaches? Easy driving from many locations? All of the above? Let us know!

The Nicklaus-designed May River at Palmetto Bluff has been voted 2005’s Best New Golf Course in South Carolina.

The South Carolina Golf Course Ratings Panel choose the course over nearby Pinecrest Golf Club in what should be an advertising coup for the new Palmetto Bluff Resort.

Learn more about May River Golf Club.

The view of Pine Island from Dolphin Head Park, in Hilton Head Plantation

Dolphin Head is perhaps the most beautiful childrens park in Hilton Head. Located within Hilton Head Plantation, the park looks out at this view of Pine Island, and beyond to Beaufort, SC in the distance.

One of the first 10 restaurants in Hilton Head Island, the German-themed Hofbrauhaus, has shut its doors for the last time.

The Hofbrauhaus, which opened in 1973 when it was one of the few dining places on the island, finally closed this week. Plans are afoot to remodel and reopen the building as the third Truffles on Hilton Head, but it once again shows the pace of change here.

Hilton Head Rentals is offering special discounts for Valentine Day. So if you’re looking to treat your ’someone special’ this could be just the ticket.

Learn more about their offer at PR Leap, or search our Hilton Head Rentals page for properties.
To see what specials others are offering check out the other vacation rental management companies in Hilton Head Island.

Looking to pamper your pet (and yourself)? Then Daufuskie Island is one of the top 10 places to visit.

According to USA Today, 10 great places to relax, loosen your collars, the Daufuskie Island Club, only reachable from Hilton Head is a place where “Pets get good care with gourmet treats, bowls and designer pet beds.”
Of course we prefer the lack of cars (golf carts all the way!), the great accommodations and the two world class golf courses, but maybe if we had a dog we’d like that aspect too.

Hilton Head National golf course is letting under 17 year olds ‘play for your age’ throughout January.

In a great promotion for getting more youngsters out on the golf course, Hilton Head National Golf Club is letting them pay just their age, when accompanied by an adult.

And with adults being offered 27 holes for just $75 this month, this could be a great way to treat the kids to some post-Christmas exercise.

With the Heritage just a couple of month’s away, now’s the time to grab the tickets.
The MCI Heritage of Golf (or whatever it will be called) has sold out each year, so don’t miss out on your chance to grab some tickets to the hottest event in Hilton Head.

Tickets start at $35 for Practice Rounds, rising to the $6,500 Friends of the Heritage Package for corporate deals.

Best of all, you can now buy tickets online at the official MCI Heritage of Golf Site, here.