Hilton Head Monthly Voice Voice of the Lowcountry 
Sea Pines Country Club has approved a two-phase enhancement plan for its Arnold Palmer, Clyde Johnston golf course, according to a news release.
Work on Phase I, comprising the practice facility, short-game area and re-grassing, will start May 1, 2021 and is scheduled for completion by Oct. 31, 2021.
Stan Stolarcyk, director of volunteers at Volunteers in Medicine Hilton Head Island, died after battling COVID-19, the nonprofit clinic said. Stolarcyk served at VIM for 13 years and was praised for his kindness and professionalism, according to a message from VIM director, Dr. Raymond Cox.
A report from the nonprofit think tank Reason Foundation finds that South Carolina has the highest overall fatality rate in the United States. The report also ranks South Carolina 47th in rural fatality rates.
Applications are available online for the 2021 Heritage Classic Foundation Scholar Awards for all high school seniors in Beaufort and Jasper counties. Each scholar will have an opportunity to receive a four-year grant totaling up to $16,000 or $20,000.
Southwest Airlines has five new nonstop routes from Savannah/Hilton Head International starting March 11. The airline will offer two daily flights to Baltimore/Washington; one daily flight to Chicago (Midway); one daily flight to Nashville; one daily flight to Houston (Hobby); and one daily to Dallas (Love Field).
Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Chris Coons, (D-Del.), and Reps. Jason Crow, (D-Colo.), and Troy Balderson, (R-Ohio), introduced the Next Generation Entrepreneur Corps Act, which aims to boost new businesses and job creation in underserved communities through a competition, a news release said. The act is a five-year $368 million investment that plans to directly support the creation of 320 new businesses each year.
The coronavirus continues to surge throughout the country. In South Carolina, cases rose after Thanksgiving.
“Now is not the time to let up. Now is the time to redouble our efforts,” state Gov. Henry McMaster said during a news conference in December.
Locally, Hilton Head Town Council voted to extend its emergency ordinance requiring people to wear face coverings in certain circumstances and locations in the municipal limits of the town, effective through Jan. 31, 2021. Town Council cited following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control among reasons for continuing to extend the ordinance.
Beaufort County’s airport has a new name: Beaufort Executive Airport. The change was made official in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Facility Directory and associated aviation publications.
JANUARY: The year began with the death of Lowcountry legend Pete Dye. The visionary golf course architect, who designed Harbour Town Golf Links with his wife, Alice, and World Golf Hall of Famer Jack Nicklaus, was 94 years old. Dye built the Long Cove Club on Hilton Head Island and an 18-hole course in Colleton River Plantation. He also designed the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, among many others.
Nicklaus paid tribute to Dye, tweeting: “I think Pete Dye was the most creative, imaginative and unconventional golf course designer I have ever been around.”
PEACOCK SUBARU MAKES PLEDGE IN SUPPORT OF PALMETTO ANIMAL LEAGUE
Peacock Subaru Hilton Head supported Palmetto Animal League’s first virtual adoption event in October. The event led to the adoption of 34 pets in a week. Peacock Subaru pledged to donate $100 to PAL for every pet adopted, leading to a donation of $3,100.
For more information, visit PalmettoAnimalLeague.org.
The Seahawks are champions.
Hilton Head High School’s volleyball team won the S.C. High School League Class AAAA state title.
The team topped Pickens High 3-1 (27-25, 25-23, 18-25, 25-21) for the crown in Irmo. The Seahawks finished the season 18-2.
Election Day on Nov. 3 saw the area’s voters elect leaders locally and impact elections statewide. For Hilton Head Town Council, incumbents David Ames (Ward 3) and Glenn Stanford (Ward 6) were re-elected, and Alex Brown took Ward 1.
Earl Campbell overcame a challenge from Jevona Armstong to retain the Beaufort County school board District 1 seat. In District 9, school board chair Christina Gwozdz defeated challenger Jennifer Morrow.
Palmetto Dunes Cares seeks grant applications for its 2021 grant program. It looks to provide grants to organizations providing services to citizens impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus will be in the areas of health, education, and human services. Applications are available at palmettodunescares.org and are due Feb. 1, 2021.
Dale McDorman has been named chief of the city of Beaufort Police Department.
McDorman, who was appointed interim chief after the death of Matthew Clancy in July, has been with the Beaufort Police Department since 1995, according to the city of Beaufort.
The Town of Hilton Head Island is selling 2021-2022 beach parking passes, available only to Town of Hilton Head Island property owners and residents. The passes cost $30 per vehicle and are valid until Dec. 31, 2022. The pass allows property owners and residents to park in designated spaces at Islanders Beach Park at 94 Folly Field Road, and Driessen Beach Park at 64 Bradley Beach Road. In addition, pass holders are not required to pay meter fees at any of the Town’s public access beach parking lots.
Southwest Airlines plans to begin service at Savannah/Hilton Head International in 2021. The addition of Southwest Airlines means nine airlines at the airport will operate with non-stop service to more than 28 destinations. No launch date or destinations have been announced. Last year, more than three million passengers flew in and out of the airport.
