Lucas Glover to receive 'Order of the Palmetto' at RBC Heritage

The Order of the Palmetto recognizes a “person’s lifetime achievements and contributions to the State of South Carolina.”  It is the state’s highest honor.  The award was created by Governor John C. West in 1971 and recognizes the recipient’s extraordinary lifetime achievements. 

Other golfers who have received the award include Jay Haas, Dustin Johnson, and Henry Picard. However, none received it at the RBC Heritage. In the case of Picard, his career predated the founding of the tournament. Other individuals who have received it include singer James Brown, author Pat Conroy, tap dancer Clayton "Peg Leg" Bates, and Civil Rights activist Septima Clark.

The award ceremony will take place Friday after round two of the RBC Heritage has concluded, at 6 PM on the 18th tee.

Lucas Glover is a native of South Carolina.

He attended Wade Hampton High School in Greenville, SC.  While a student there, he became the South Carolina state golf champion twice.  He also won the South Carolina Amateur three times, in 1998, 1999, and 2000. In 2001, he played on the Walker Cup team, which is organized by the USGA.

In college, Glover played golf for Clemson and is now a member of the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame.  In May, he will be inducted into the State of South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame.

Glover’s highest golf achievement was his victory in the 2009 U.S. Open which was held at Bethpage Black on Long Island, New York. He has participated in every RBC Heritage since 2004.

Simon Fraser is a nephew of Charles Fraser, the environmentally aware developer of Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island. The land where the Sea Pines development is located was owned by the Fraser family and for many years was a timber farm.  In addition to Sea Pines, Charles Fraser also developed Amelia Island, near Jacksonville, Florida, and Kiawah Island resort near Charleston.

This year at the RBC Heritage, Glover is also participating in #RechargeTheSarge, a charitable endeavor which is supported by the Congaree Foundation.  The organization raises money for the Sergeant Jasper Golf Club in Ridgeland, SC, which focuses on young people in Jasper County.  

Glover, as well as Webb Simpson, Harris English, and Adam Scott, will donate money for every birdie and eagle they make at the RBC Heritage to the #RechargeTheSarge program.

"As an Ambassador of Congaree, and someone who is passionate about providing access to the game of golf, the efforts to reinvigorate The Sarge are near and dear to my heart,” Glover said about the ongoing efforts of the foundation.

The Heritage Foundation will also donate 20 percent of the total raised by the four golfers to #RechargeTheSarge.