Hilton Head Island, S.C. (October 8, 2015) – Hilton Head Island has been named by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) as the Golf Destination of the Year for North America for 2016 in the golf tourism industry’s annual IAGTO Awards. Hilton Head Island was recognized with the prestigious award for its more than 30 championship golf courses, 24 of which are open to the public, making Hilton Head Island a golfer’s paradise.
Sculpted by some of golf’s most preeminent architects, including Robert Trent Jones Sr., Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus, each Hilton Head Island golf course delivers its own unique set of challenges and scenic fairways. The Island’s sub-tropical climate and lush fairways attract golfers from around the world resulting in 700,000 rounds of golf played annually.
Hilton Head Island’s golf courses attract both amateur and professional golfers with certified lessons and renowned tournaments. Each of the Island’s golf courses offers both group and individual lessons from certified golf-instruction professionals covering all aspects of the game. Beyond a number of opportunities to play on Hilton Head Island, the Island is home to the only PGA Tour event in South Carolina with its annual tournament, the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links, drawing in world-class golfers.
IAGTO is the global trade association of the golf tourism industry, comprised of 600 golf tour operators from more than 60 different countries who cast their vote for this award. Each operator is asked to nominate the best performing golf destinations enjoyed by their clients, resulting in five Golf Destination of the Year winners from each of the five regional categories – North America, Latin America & Caribbean, Europe, Africa & Gulf States & Indian Ocean, Asia and Australasia. Criteria under consideration include customer satisfaction, quality of courses and accommodation, value for money, professional conduct of suppliers, support from local tourism industry and accessibility to tee times.
For golf aficionados and leisure travelers alike, Hilton Head Island is conveniently located off the Atlantic Coast of South Carolina, approximately 45 miles north of Savannah, Ga., 90 miles south of Charleston, S.C., and 30 miles south of historic Beaufort, S.C. Travelers are also a quick ride to Bluffton which is situated atop a high bluff overlooking the pristine May River.
Hilton Head Island is the classic American resort destination for families, couples, and senior travelers, offering 12 miles of pristine beaches, exceptional golf and tennis, a wealth of art and cultural events, and a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment for all ages year-round. Association and group business travelers continue to be an important growing sector for the destination. For more information on visiting Hilton Head Island, contact Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce at 800-523-3373 or visit www.hiltonheadisland.org
