The handshakes and hugs that took place in the gathering spaces of The Inn & Club at Harbour Town, as well as out on the inn’s sprawling patio, told the story. There was an unmistakable air of camaraderie on the opening night of the fifth annual Kingdom Cup, held this year at The Sea Pines Resort over three days in early September. Sure, there were first-timers present, but even as they were getting their introductory taste of the Kingdom Cup experience, those rookies were welcomed into the fold with open arms.

The excitement—and the anticipation for the event—began at Savannah Hilton Head International Airport, as a massive Kingdom Cup display in the atrium welcomed visitors to the Lowcountry and declared it was “par tee time.” In many respects, the regional airport’s relaxed atmosphere and the ease at which travelers made their way through foreshadowed the easygoing time that participants were about to enjoy on Hilton Head Island.

Across all three days, cocktails and wine flowed continuously, thanks to Ketel One and Caymus Vineyards, and that included multiple hospitality stations out on both courses: Atlantic Dunes and Harbour Town Golf Links. During the opening round, for example, biscuit sandwiches with fried chicken reminded golfers they were down south, while Kobe beef sliders with Tillamook cheese and caramelized onions stole the show on Saturday. And playing the 18th hole at Harbour Town—already a thrilling proposition for most golfers—was amplified even more thanks to a pop-up Bellagio lounge at the tee box, where specialty cocktails were served and a roulette wheel gave players the chance to take a spin for a possible mulligan.

Speaking of shows, the evenings following tournament rounds of golf were just as entertaining as time spent out on the course. For the second year in a row, caddie Geno Bonnalie led a panel discussion with some of his fellow PGA Tour loopers—Heath Holt, Paul Tesori, and Will Wilcox. The spirited conversation, which took place on the veranda of the Plantation Golf Club, covered topics including how they got their breaks caddying on the tour, memories of their first big screwup on the course, tactics they’ve used to ensure their players hit great shots, and stories about the chase for championships on Sunday afternoons.

The event’s guest of honor this year, Sir Nick Faldo, chased plenty of championships during his Hall of Fame career, including three Masters wins and three Open Championship victories. In fact, the affable Brit even brought along the Claret Jug, on loan from the R&A. On the event’s final night at the Quarterdeck, even before he sat down with Alexandra O’Laughlin for a candid conversation, Faldo spent time rubbing elbows with many of the participants, chatting over cocktails about life on his ranch in Montana, and anything else that Kingdom’s guests wanted to ask him.

To the delight of all those in attendance, however, when Faldo sat with O’Laughlin, he reminisced for almost an hour about his career, talking of the game’s evolution and sharing amusing stories of his interactions with some of the sport’s legendary players, including Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. In particular, Faldo shared accounts about his first experience playing in the Trophée Lancôme in Paris in 1977, during which Gary Player took him out to dinner in which Faldo discovered that “the piece of fish cost more than any room I’d ever paid for.” He also recalled photo shoots with Arnold Palmer that week and a police escort to the airport that reduced an hour-long drive to just 20 minutes. “What a scene for a 20-year-old kid,” he said. “No wonder I thought, ‘Yeah, this is fun. I need more of this.’”

It’s easy to believe that such a thought ran through the head of every Kingdom Cup participant over the weekend. After all, indulgent meals and generous pours were matched by deep and luxurious swag bags—literally. Inside a Vessel signature duffel, guests were treated to stylish tops from B. Draddy, comfortable outerwear and custom hats by Antigua Apparel, and swanky G/FORE golf shoes. Simpler creature comforts were also taken care of thanks to Bombas socks and packages of Hubs peanuts; while whims for more elaborate keepsakes were catered to via custom Antas Belts by the Dormie Workshop, bottles of House of Sillage’s signature fragrance, and personalized Purist golf bag organizers courtesy of Jolly Golf. If participants had a hankering for a fine cigar, La Aurora was on hand all three days with lighters, cutters, and a humidor full of options; and for those who just needed a pick-me-up on the course, golf carts were stocked with sleeves of Bunchies energy balls. (Carts were loaded with Penfold Heart golf balls, too, for those whose golf games were in need of sustenance.)

Tournament winners were rewarded even more, as the teams that finished first in both the net and gross categories walked away with three-night trips for two to Gleneagles resort, hickory putters from Otey, custom headcovers by Dormie Workshop, $500 vouchers for Vessel Golf, and memberships to Revaire, a by-invitation-only club dedicated to private jet travel.

Sir Nick Faldo’s charitable enterprise for junior golf, The Faldo Series, also won in the end, as a silent auction raised more than $30,000 for the organization, and offered up once-in-a-lifetime experiences, such as skybox tickets for the 16th hole at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and general admission tickets to the Masters including one-on-one time with Faldo.

But everyone felt like winners during the rounds of golf, as participants enjoyed the services of PGA Tour caddies on several holes and had the opportunity to hit shots alongside legends of the game, such as Annika Sörenstam. They even had the chance to challenge Roger Steele in a long drive contest, though the big-hitting content creator routinely put plenty of distance between his drives and everyone else’s.

“That’s a Jersey Mike’s, baby!” one participant bold declared after hitting his drive, which curved strongly from left to right. “A controlled slice.”

“That ball is running a route!” Steele responded with both enthusiasm and praise.

Later, Steele welcomed another group to his tee box, exclaiming, “Oh, I’ve been waiting to see that sweet swing!”

It was just another reminder that the Kingdom Cup has become more than just an annual, multi-day golf tournament on Hilton Head Island. It’s as much a reunion for all those who participate, one where even first-timers immediately feel right at home.