Meet the Man Behind the RBC Heritage Volunteers: How 1,800 Locals Power the Tournament

Meet the local man guiding the RBC Heritage’s volunteer army

If you’ve ever strolled the fairways of Harbour Town Golf Links during the RBC Heritage, you’ve felt it: the hum of organization beneath the cheers, the effortless flow of people and the unmistakable warmth of Southern hospitality. None of it happens by accident. Behind the scenes, coordinating nearly 1,800 volunteers, is Mike Manesiotis, the man described as the tournament’s “Commander of the Troops.”

A call he couldn’t ignore

Manesiotis’ journey to becoming head of volunteers didn’t begin with ambition or a formal application. It started, as many meaningful commitments do, with a phone call from a friend. When Steve Wilmot, president and tournament director of the Heritage Classic Foundation, reached out for help, Manesiotis didn’t hesitate. He knew exactly what was being asked and exactly why he was being asked.

“He knew I wouldn’t say no,” Manesiotis said, “and that I would dedicate the time needed.” That simple response reveals much about the man who would go on to oversee one of the PGA Tour’s most respected volunteer operations.

In 2008 Manesiotis stepped into the role of chair of the communications committee, a position that immersed him in the daily workings of the tournament. It was here that he learned how many moving parts are required to stage a world-class event, from resolving real-time issues to working closely with committee chairs across the organization.

The role gave him a behind-the-scenes education and a deep respect for the staff and volunteers that make the tournament possible. More importantly, it gave him perspective: leadership isn’t about control. It’s about coordination, appreciation and trust. Six years later, that experience culminated in his appointment as a Heritage Classic Foundation trustee (general chairman) with responsibility for the volunteer corps: 22 committees led by 70 chairs, all unified by a single goal of delivering the best possible tournament for players and fans alike.

The people make the difference

Ask Manesiotis what’s most important in his role, and he won’t talk first about logistics or systems. He talks about people.

The volunteers, he explains, genuinely want to be there. They want to contribute, to represent the tournament with pride and to ensure every visitor feels welcome. For Manesiotis, reinforcing that mindset is essential. Volunteers aren’t just filling shifts. They are ambassadors of the RBC Heritage and of the Lowcountry itself.

That philosophy has paid dividends. The RBC Heritage was named the PGA Tour’s “Most Fan-First Event,” an honor Manesiotis is quick to attribute directly to the volunteers and staff who bring the tournament to life each year.

Walking the course, one conversation at a time

Manesiotis has lived on Hilton Head Island for more than 40 years, and those deep community roots shape how he leads. During tournament week he walks the course daily, stopping to talk with as many volunteers as possible, listening to their feedback, answering questions and, most importantly, making sure they feel seen and appreciated.

“The key,” he says, “is to make everyone I see feel appreciated and emphasize that their roles are important to the success of the tournament.” It’s a simple idea, but one he practices relentlessly.

Recruiting volunteers has evolved over the years. What once required road trips, presentations and community events now benefits from the reach of social media and coordinated outreach. Thanks to a structured registration process and a strong culture, the tournament enjoys an astonishingly high volunteer return rate of about 90% year after year.

New volunteers are carefully integrated, often paired with veterans and supported by committee-specific training. Whether through in-person sessions or presentations during uniform pickup, the goal is consistent: make sure every volunteer feels confident, informed and valued from day one.

While there is a volunteer appreciation party and the undeniable thrill of being close to the world’s best golfers, Manesiotis believes the real reward runs deeper. Volunteers understand that their time and effort help raise millions of dollars for charity and directly benefit the community they call home.

“They are all working toward something bigger than themselves,” he says. That sense of shared purpose of tradition, service and pride is what keeps people coming back year after year, earning five-, 10- and even 20-year service pins.

To Manesiotis, being head of volunteers isn’t about authority. It’s about stewardship. It’s about honoring a rich tradition, empowering people to do their best work and reminding them that what they do matters.

“Being part of our team is hard to explain but easy to understand,” he reflects.

And perhaps that’s the truest measure of his leadership: a role shaped not by titles or tasks but by relationships and the quiet confidence that when people feel valued, extraordinary things happen.

RBC Heritage by the numbers

• 57 years: The tournament has been played on Hilton Head Island since 1969.
• $134.9 million: The annual economic impact generated for South Carolina by the RBC Heritage.
• $61.8 million: Total charitable donations distributed across South Carolina and Georgia since 1987.
• 120,000: Fans who attended the 2025 tournament at Harbour Town Golf Links.
• 1,700+: Volunteers who help run the tournament each year, coordinating everything from marshaling to hospitality.
• 70%: Spectators reporting annual household incomes above $100,000.
• 81%: Spectators who hold a four-year college degree.
• 57: The average age of RBC Heritage spectators.
• 28: Languages in which the tournament is broadcast worldwide.
• 200+: Countries outside the United States where the tournament is televised.
• $20 million: The purse awarded as part of the PGA Tour Signature Event status.