Island Packet Verizon Heritage 2008 Coverage | Harbour Town, Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head Island, SC

The annual Verizon Heritage provides a unique opportunity to see first-hand the personalities, excitement and drama of the PGA Tour.

Some believe the best way to watch the event is at home in front of a television set. At times, that method does have its advantages. With a little advance planning, however, the on-site spectator can get as close to the action as the television cameras and see a whole lot more.
After fans are inside Sea Pines, they'll be able to park in one of several general parking lots off Greenwood Drive, Plantation Drive and near Lawton Stables. Designated shuttle buses will be serving each parking lot to take fans to Harbour Town Golf Links. All parking and shuttle-busing is free.

Once they reach the course, fans will find spectator bleachers set up around holes 13, 15, 16 and 18. The bleachers also are close to concession stands so spectators can stay in one spot for a long time and not worry about starving.

Another method of watching play is to sit by any other hole on the course and watch the field pass through. In this case, it is advisable to take along something to sit on, such as a folded blanket or a collapsible chair.

Yet another popular method is to follow a specific golfer around at least part of the course. Daily pairings sheets, which include starting times, are available to the public, so it is easy to find out when a favorite golfer will begin his round each day of the tournament. Daily pairings also are published in The Island Packet.

Also, there are large maps and scoreboards set up around the golf course that indicate where individual golfers are playing, so if you miss someone's tee time on the first hole, it is relatively easy to catch up with him as he plays the course.

One of the most popular viewing spots at Harbour Town is the spectator mounds surrounding the ninth green, located directly in front of the clubhouse. If you plan to sit there, arrive early, no matter which day you attend the tournament -- the area fills up quickly.

Two holes at Harbour Town, Nos. 8 and 11, are routinely listed among the most difficult on the PGA Tour. These are both good spots for watching the Heritage field. Spectators can witness some great moments at either one, on any day of the tournament.

If you prefer not to walk or sit all day, a good way to watch the proceedings at the Heritage is to follow a golfer with an early tee time part of the way around the course, then stay at one particular hole and watch the remainder of the field play through.

You can also can use the opposite approach -- stay by one hole for a period of time until a favorite player comes through and then follow that player around the rest of the course.

On Saturday and Sunday, unless you arrive very early, don't plan to sit in the bleachers on any of the final holes. They will be packed, and if you should have to leave your seat for any reason, it will probably be occupied when you return. Sit by some other hole or walk around the course during play.