News Room

State Representative Brian White's statement on potential loan to Beaufort County to support Heritage PGA Tour Golf Tournament

Rep. Brian White issued the following statement on the proposed one-time spending provision in the state budget that could loan funds to Beaufort County to help the area keep the Heritage Golf Tournament if organizers are unable to find a new sponsor.

"The proposed funding would not be an appropriation. It would be a loan that would be repaid to the state in full along with any interest on earnings. Because of the national recession and declining tax revenue, all of South Carolina's state agencies have been forced to make painful cuts. This one-time provision would not come at the expense of funding to any state agencies.

The reasoning behind the proposed loan is not about golf -- it is about economic impact and return on investment. The Heritage has an economic impact of approximately $84 million on the South Carolina economy, according to a 2009 report from the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism.  

If South Carolina were to lose the Heritage, the state would lose tax revenue that helps all of our citizens, especially our most vulnerable ones who rely on state services. That tax revenue provides money for teachers and law enforcement officers as well. In proposing this loan, we have worked to identify a resourceful solution that creates a safety net to help South Carolina keep the Heritage and the tax revenue it produces. We hope it will not be needed."