Arnold Palmer, who won the inaugural PGA TOUR Heritage Classic at Harbour Town in 1969, was back on Hilton Head Island Thursday to unveil the redesign of the Wexford Plantation Golf Course by his Arnold Palmer Design Company.
Palmer toured the course in the morning and then entertained the crowd by fielding questions and hitting a few drives. At 82, his golf skills may have faded, but his people skills remains sharp. A homeowner complained of his view at the newly-designed No. 11 hole and Palmer just remained silent letting another homeowner say his view of that hole is fine. Palmer indicated during the media session that sometimes it is best to just keep quiet.
Hilton Head Mayor Drew Laughlin declared Thursday “Arnold Palmer Day” as the golf legend was recognized for his role in lending credibility to the Heritage Classic more than 40 years ago. Palmer was asked how he felt when the Heritage was struggling this year to find a sponsor. He said he worked behind the scenes calling business people to do what he could to help although he said he was not responsible for securing RBC as the new title sponsor.
Palmer told media members that both he and his late wife Winnie loved visiting Hilton Head and had he not bought Bay Hill in 1969 he might have settled here instead of in the Orlando area.
Wexford is the only Arnold Palmer Signature Course on Hilton Head but ADPC also designed nearby Crescent Pointe in Bluffton and Old Tabby Links on Spring Island.
“We wanted to give the golfer several options of play off the tee and around the greens to cause him or her to think about their upcoming shot,” said APDC Senior Architect Brandon Johnson, lead designer on the Wexford project. “By significantly reducing the amount of bunker space, repositioning them in more visible and strategic locations and widening the fairways we were able to add a previously missing strategic element to the golf course while allowing more room and avenues of play for the higher handicap player.”
Although Palmer appeared to enjoy the attention he received Thursday, he promised to return to Wexford to play the course, but said he would just slip quietly in without letting anyone know he was coming.
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