Els' favorite non-major? Heritage

Ernie Els admitted Thursday afternoon that, major championships aside, the Verizon Heritage is his favorite golf tournament in which to play.

His favorite used to be The International but it died a sudden death earlier this year, the official cause being lack-of-Tiger-itis, taking its famous milk shakes with it.

The Heritage is the perfect event at the perfect time, a laid-back, beach break the week after the Masters, a decompression chamber lined by live oaks and sea gulls. Els gets a house on the beach, rides bikes with the family and takes daily breaks from what feels like a vacation to play golf – like the rest of us do on vacation.

Here are 10 things to love about the Verizon Heritage:

1. The 18th hole at Harbour Town where you can stand and stare across the Calibogue Sound at Daufuskie Island and wish you never had to leave.
2. Spectators walking around drinking champagne from crystal flutes.
3. The golf doesn’t interrupt the perpetual cocktail party.
4. The lighthouse.
5. The yachts in the marina beside the lighthouse.
6. Dinner at Stripes.
7. The wind – if it doesn’t blow, you turn into Thanksgiving dinner for the no-see-ums.
8. Gators. Real live yard ornaments.
9. The Quarterdeck at sunset.
10. Ernie Els is here.

Have something to add to the list that you love about the Heritage? Click on the "Comments" link below.