The Hospital Auxiliary’s annual Invitational Golf Tournament is the longest standing and most prestigious charity golf event on Hilton Head Island.  The Tournament takes place over a two-day period at two prestigious golf courses, where each participant plays each course.  We have long enjoyed an outstanding relationship with Harbour Town Golf Links and the Wexford Golf Club. However, this year Harbor Town is undergoing renovations and the 2025 tournament will be at Wexford and Atlantic Dunes.  Golfers will enjoy 18 holes at each course over the two-day period, along with a putting contest, hole-in one, and closest-to-the-hole competition, plus box lunches and beverages each day and an awards ceremony at the end of the second day. This year, the Tournament will be held on November 17 and 18, 2025.

The Tournament’s Legacy

The tournament was started as an 18-hole tournament at Harbour Town in 1986 by Max Stein.  Max expanded the event to 36 holes in 1988 and continued to chair it until he was 91 years old.  Having Harbour Town as the anchor course for a charity event tournament was highly unusual but it was Max’s determination, hard work and amazing personality that was responsible for Harbour Town’s loyalty to our cause. Max showed that same loyalty to his golfers and gave preference to players who had played in the tournament previously—a rule that is maintained to this day.

Max passed the leadership of the tournament on to Lew Wessel in 2007.  Lew had been playing in the event for five years and jumped at the chance to lead it forward.  With his financial background and people skills, Lew initiated a sponsor program at various which increased the Tournament’s contribution to charitable activities.  He also made changes and improvements to the overall experience with the addition of Wexford Golf Club as a permanent second course and setting up an awards ceremony at the end of the two days of golf.

In 2017, Bob Elliott, a retired senior marketing executive from Dow Chemical, took over the reins as Tournament Director.  Through his tireless perseverance, creativity, dedication and attention to detail, Bob has made the tournament more successful each year. His appreciation and loyalty to our golfers and sponsors is evident in every aspect of the tournament. He and his committee run a tournament that continues to have a sellout field of 280 every year because it combines two days of outstanding golf at a great price and at the best courses with a spirited, fun atmosphere.

Our Goal

In 2023, the Tournament achieved $1.0 million in total contributions to the Hospital Auxiliary over its 37 years. With the support of our sponsors and donors we continue to increase the impact we have on people’s lives in our local communities.  One of the major areas of focus is to provide nursing scholarships to students in an effort to reduce the tremendous shortfall which exists in our local communities. Proceeds from the tournament will also be awarded in scholarships to qualified children of hospital volunteers and employees who pursue degrees in the health care field.  In addition, the Tournament provides support to other Auxiliary charitable activities.

Our Tournament Committee

Tournament Director: Bob Elliott

Tournament Committee: Chris Olsen, Rob Patterson, Brian Mallory, Doug Oberg, Jana Taylor, Kim Elliott

Our Sponsors

We are very proud and appreciative of our golf tournament sponsors. They help us achieve our mission of delivering a superior event for the players, while achieving our fundraising objectives.  When you have the need for their products and/or services, we ask that you give them strong consideration.

Our tournament title sponsor is Christopher Corkern, president of May River Investments, Ltd. and Financial Planner, The Prudential Insurance Company of America.  As a Financial Planner Chris was recognized in a recent issue of Forbes Magazine as one of the top professionals in his area of practice in the United States. He joined Prudential in 1998 and is a member of the Chairman’s Council, recognized as a top 20 advisor from over 4,000 in the U.S., Lifetime Member of the Million Dollar Round Table, Prudential Annuities Master Council and member of the Life Concierge program.  Chris has been a longtime supporter and sponsor of our tournament for almost 20 years.

Thank You to Our 2024 Tournament Sponsors!

Please click on the link below to peruse our 2024 Golf Tournament booklet to learn more about the details of the tournament and the contributions of our sponsors, staff, prize and hole donors and the Golf Committee.