A long-standing Labor Day weekend tradition matching amateur golfers with celebrities is slated to celebrate its 30th anniversary this year. The Hilton Head Island Celebrity Golf Tournament, which provides funds for 20 area children’s charities, will be held Sept. 3-5 on three of the most prestigious golf courses on Hilton Head Island.

According to organizers, because of the sluggish economy, there was some question earlier this year as to the feasibility of continuing the tournament. But because the charities that benefit from the event have also been hard hit by the economic downturn, the decision to move forward came with a strong commitment to make this year’s event the best ever.

The entire event has been revamped to include a change in format, a reduction in cost, the addition of a local tournament, more celebrities, new beneficiaries, and more.

HAWKFEST: 2010 BACK TO SCHOOL KICK-OFF

Hawkfest is here!

Give your whole family a reason to celebrate the return of school with the sixth annual HawkFest, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 21, at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn. Tickets are $10 per person, which includes parking and admission to all rides.

Area Lions Clubs are partnering this year with four local ophthalmology practices, Affiliated Retina Consultants, Bishop Eye Associates, Low Country Eye, and Palmetto Eye Specialists, to hold their firstever benefit golf tournament, with all proceeds going directly to Camp Leo, an annual summer camp for sight-impaired children in South Carolina. The tournament will be held Sept. 25 at Crescent Pointe Golf Club in Bluffton. Entry is $75 for individuals and $300 for a foursome. It will be a “Greens Keeper’s Revenge Scramble” format.

“This is a really fun format where golfers of all levels will have a great and challenging time,” said tournament director Alan Arseneau. “The pins on each hole will be in very interesting locations and/or scenarios. I’m hoping you laugh more than you cry!”

Positioned as one of the last Concours in the national annual show circuit, the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival has quickly climbed the ranks among national Concours events. In just eight short years, Hilton Head Island is already considered by many as being among those elite USA events such as Pebble Beach, Meadow Brook and Amelia Island.

The ninth annual Festival, which will feature Chevrolet as its 2010 Honored Marque, will be held October 29-November 7, 2010 at both The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa on Hutchinson Island (Savannah, GA) and the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn (Hilton Head Island, SC).