Hilton Head Island's Harbour Town Golf Links bounces back fast after Hurricane Matthew

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. -- In October, Hurricane Matthew hit Hilton Head Island and in particular The Sea Pines Resort, located on the island's southeastern side.

While the damage was extensive enough to prevent traffic from getting in and out of the development, property officials managed to get all three golf courses back open within weeks, and no damage was done to the resort buildings, including the two brand new golf clubhouses.

A round at Harbour Town Golf Links in mid-November left little to be desired. Conditions were excellent, with the winter rye grass having taken hold nicely.

There were about 500 downed trees on the course, but just about all of them had been cleaned up and had little if any impact on the round. About the only disturbance is the faint hum of chainsaws wherever you are on the island, and driving down the resort's roads, there are many piles of wood ready to be hauled away. Fire wood should be pretty cheap on Hilton Head Island this winter.

And Harbour Town will be as ready as ever to host the RBC Heritage on the PGA Tour in April.