"If you grew up in South Carolina, it's the adult spring break," said Massey, who is now an Atlanta resident but hasn't missed a tournament in 20 years.

"Because of the social aspect of it, it's a must," Massey said of the Heritage.

The must-see-event, and the island's annual chance to shine in the national spotlight, drew scores of onlookers Monday as the weeklong proceedings began with the traditional bagpipe parade.

Defending champion Boo Weekley used an ancient-looking golf club from Scotland's St. Andrews to drive a golf ball into Calibogue Sound as a cannon fired to mark the start of the tournament.

The golf club was given to Heritage officials and U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson by the first minister of Scotland, that country's political leader.

As the event celebrates its 40th birthday, Gov. Mark Sanford told the crowd that Sea Pines founder Charles Fraser paved the way for the state to become a golf Mecca.

"The Heritage represents the single largest reminder of golf's importance in the state of South Carolina," Sanford said. "The Heritage is really where this all began."

Tournament chairman and tennis legend Stan Smith talked about how the tournament has grown over the years, from a $20,000 prize for Arnold Palmer in 1969 to $990,000 for this year's winner.

The faces and names around Hilton Head and Sea Pines have changed over the years, but one thing has stayed the same.

"With all the growth and changes over the years," Smith said, "the golf course has remained the one constant."

After knocking the ball into the sound, Weekley confirmed what the spectators and others typically say about the Heritage.

After the pressure of the Masters Tournament last week, the Hilton Head event is a chance to have a good time.

"That over there, that's wild," Weekley said of the Augusta, Ga., event. "They had more people there than we had in my whole county."