Fore the Community

On November 12-18, the Golden Isles will welcome The RSM Classic, an Official Event of the PGA TOUR, hosted by Davis Love III, for its ninth consecutive year. Each year this tournament gets bigger and better, with the Davis Love Foundation and RSM US LLP continually looking for ways to expand their opportunities to give back to the community. To date, their efforts have been incredibly successful. Proceeds donated to children and family charities through The RSM Classic will exceed $10 million by the end of the 2018 event.

Recently, Elegant Island Living had the opportunity to sit down with tournament host Davis Love III and Andy Bosman, CMO, and Bill Gorman, COO, of title sponsor RSM US LLP, to discuss their exciting announcement about the expansion of the Birdies Fore Love charitable giving platform. The annual RSM employee giving challenge will now include an on-course birdie competition for the PGA TOUR players. The top three players who accumulate the most birdies (or better) during the first eight events of the 2018-19 PGA TOUR Season, beginning with the Safeway Open in Napa, California and concluding with The RSM Classic, will be awarded with $300,000, $150,000 and $50,000, respectively, for charitable donations to children- and/or family-focused charitable organizations of the players’ choice.

“This is a significant increase in the Birdies Fore Love program, and the impact being made by RSM and The RSM Classic,” said Davis Love III. “RSM continues to raise the bar in its support of the communities in which it does business, including the Golden Isles where we host The RSM Classic.” Love also called the support of RSM US LLP invaluable and praised fellow PGA Tour veteran and Golden Isles resident Zach Johnson for suggesting them as a partner when the idea for the tournament was first born. He stressed that when he has asked “How can we do more?” RSM has always been quick to pick up the ball and run with it, coming up with new and innovative ways to give back to the community.

Gorman explained that stewardship has always been one of the core values of RSM US LLP and that The RSM Classic has been a perfect partnership in forwarding that mission. He and Bosman have been familiar faces here over the years at the tournament and have eagerly embraced our little community. While Sea Island is the smallest market on the Tour, The RSM Classic has one of the largest impacts, and that is due to the enthusiasm of these gentlemen for expanding charitable giving through the tournament. With such infectious generosity, support from RSM employees, local community members and tournament volunteers is not hard to come by. Now, let’s all root for Davis to sink some birdies, so perhaps in addition to having the honor of announcing the new Birdies Fore Love prizes, he can win one!

And speaking of prizes, you only have until November 9 to purchase a $20 raffle ticket from your favorite charity for your chance to win a brand new Buick Encore from Nalley Brunswick Automobiles through the Friends of Davis Love Foundation. This program administered by the Davis Love Foundation is designed to help raise money for local participating charities, with 100% of the money collected through the raffle being distributed back to the participating charities. A drawing for the Grand Prize winner of the Buick Encore will take place during The RSM Classic. For a full list of participating charities, visit rsmclassic.com/charity/friends-of-dlf/

To give a small illustration of the impact of the charitable giving that takes place here thanks

to The RSM Classic, the Davis Love Foundation, in partnership with Rich Products, recently presented a check for $30,000 to the Glynn County Schools athletics department representing a portion of the funds raised from last year’s tournament. Mark Love, the tournament’s Executive Director, explained “We just wanted to try to do it to help the kids in our community and the athletic programs.” Glynn County Athletic Director Steve Waters says that the support provided is vital to helping the athletic department meet the needs of its students. That money benefits more than 2,000 student athletes and over 113 athletic teams in the Glynn County School System. And just think, that’s only ONE of the many organizations that receive funds from The RSM Classic through the Davis Love Foundation. Imagine how the ripples spread from these donations.

The RSM Classic will open to the public on Wednesday, November 14 with free admission for Community Day, but there are some additional tournament related events happening off-site on Tuesday, November 13 that you may want to attend.

On Tuesday evening at 5:00 p.m., the PGA TOUR Wives take on their pro golfer husbands in a friendly, yet spirited, game of Wiffle Ball at the Frederica Academy ballfield on St. Simons Island. Each team includes students from Altama Elementary School who have earned a playing spot through the school’s “Positive Behavior Initiative and Support” program. Admission to the game is free and if you’ve never been out to see the fun, we encourage you to attend. It’s always entertaining and proceeds benefit Blessings in a Backpack, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides food on the weekends to elementary school children who might otherwise go hungry. This year at the game, the Davis Love Foundation will hold a drawing for 2 VIP tickets to the Jon Pardi concert on Saturday night. You must be present to win.

For a more upscale affair Tuesday evening, head to the Mizner Ballroom at The Cloister on Sea Island at 6:00 p.m. for the 8th annual Meet the RSM Pros cocktail party presented by the St. Simons Island Rotary. Here, guests have the opportunity to mix and mingle with top professional golfers over cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres. The highlight of the evening is an informal press conference interviewing the participating golfers and the always entertaining Q&A session that follows. Tickets for the Meet the RSM Pros event are $75 per person and include one free good-any-one-day ticket to the golf tournament. They can be purchased at ssirotary.org. Proceeds from the event will benefit more than a dozen children’s charities in Glynn County.

On Wednesday, tournament gates open at approximately 7:00 a.m. Take advantage of the free admission on Community Day and come watch the Yamaha Pro-Am Event which will be held on Seaside and Plantation Courses or bring the kids out to experience the Youth Golf Zone sponsored by Southeast Georgia Health System at 3:00 p.m. This is where kids can meet PGA TOUR Players at the Sea Island Golf Performance Center Practice Putting Green to learn more about the game and have a little fun. Stay to watch what has become one of the EIL staff members’ favorite events of the tournament: the Charity Putting Challenge featuring PGA TOUR pros, Special Olympics athletes, and Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Georgia participants. The Putting Challenge begins at 4:00 p.m. at the Performance Center Practice Putting Green. There’s nothing like watching the high-fives, cheering, and camaraderie between PGA TOUR pro “coaches” and their teams during this event to put a smile on your face and restore your faith in humanity.

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Round One of tournament play begins Thursday on Seaside and Plantation courses. Gates open at approximately 9:00 a.m. Tee times to be announced. Play continues on these courses for Round Two on Friday. Friday is Military Appreciation Day as well, so all military service men and women, retirees, and veterans are encouraged to come out and enjoy the day at The RSM Classic. As their salute to all men and women who serve and have served in the United States armed forces, The RSM Classic offers special ticket pricing and an exclusive hospitality venue with premium golf viewing, complimentary food and non-alcoholic beverages. If you are a current active duty, military reserve, or National Guard service member, or are a military retiree, you can receive up to two complimentary tickets for each day of the tournament (Thursday-Sunday). Military veterans can receive up to two discounted tickets ($15 per ticket) for each day of the tournament (Thursday-Sunday). To take advantage of the special ticket pricing, visit The RSM Classic website and complete the military verification.

But after the golf is over on Friday, there’s more fun to be had! You’ll want head down to the Village for Taste of the Golden Isles. The theme for this year’s event is MORE! A true treat for the tastebuds, this epicurean event will feature more food being served up by more local standout chefs and eateries from St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, and Brunswick. Enjoy one-of-a-kind tastings and scrumptious concoctions created by our culinary experts and spirit slingers. The Pine Box Dwellers will bring their own unique blend of swamp rock bluegrass-Americana to the mix for a fabulous evening overlooking the ocean under the stars at the St. Simons Island Casino grounds. Taste of the Golden Isles takes place from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tickets are $70 and include one Friday grounds ticket to attend The RSM Classic. You must be 21 or older to purchase and you must have your ticket at the event to ensure admission. Proceeds from this event benefit Hospice of the Golden Isles.

On Saturday, tournament patrons and locals have the chance to head over to nearby Jekyll Island to participate in an exciting new tournament event: The RSM Classic Charity Bike Ride presented by Chick-Fil-A. Begin your day bright and early with either a 14.5 or 29 mile route (space permitting) to make your journey on the bike paths around the beautiful natural scenery of the island. Every participant will receive a ride t-shirt, a Chick-Fil-A biscuit, beverages via Coca-Cola, and two good-any-one-day tickets to the golf tournament. Packet pick-ups are Friday from 4:00-6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 6:00-8:00 a.m. before the race begins at 8:30 a.m. Registration after November 1 is $50 per rider or $60 on the day of the ride (space permitting). Register at rsmclassic.com/home/bike-ride. By participating in the inaugural Charity Bike Ride, you will be assisting The Davis Love Foundation in their commitment to bettering the lives of children and their families in the Golden Isles.

At the tournament, play shifts exclusively to the Seaside course for Round Three. All fans attending The RSM Classic on Saturday can also help raise valuable funds for The

Folds of Honor Foundation while testing their golf skills and possibly winning $1 Million by participating in The Folds of Honor Million Dollar Challenge, presented by Bridgestone. Participants will compete in a “Closest to the Pin” contest with a select number of finalists qualifying for a one-shot Challenge Round immediately following the third round of The RSM Classic. The finalist who hits their shot closest to the pin will win a Grand Prize Package and a Hole-in-One is worth $1 Million. C’mon and take a swing!

On Saturday night, November 17, it will be the reigning CMA New Artist of the Year, Jon Pardi, taking center stage at the RSM Classic Concert sponsored by Southeast Georgia Health System. Considered by many to be a “throwback,” Pardi offers up songs that have led to comparisons with George Strait and Dwight Yoakam rather than glossy pop country. The singer-songwriter made his debut in 2014 with “Write You a Song,” which featured the rollicking hit “Up All Night.” His second album, “California Sunrise,” firmly cemented him as a popular touring act with songs that showcase his strong, masculine voice and musical artistry while blending themes of sexy romance, Western sensibilities, and working class ethic. Pardi says, “It’s all about living and learning.” Not only does he take that to heart, he shares that in his music as well. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and the venue will once again be the McKinnon St. Simons Airport. All seats are lawn seating general admission. Tickets for the concert are $40 for adults or $30 for youth ages 17 and under. Combination tickets that include a Saturday grounds ticket for the golf tournament and the concert are available for $50.

On Sunday, November 18, the final round of play for the tournament takes place on the Seaside Course. Gates open at approximately 9:00 a.m. Take in the beauty of the grounds and walk with the golfers, or, if your company has taken advantage of the tournament’s excellent hospitality packages, grab a seat in the Oaks Terrace or the Skybox Club to see the remaining golfers finish the day. The past few years have provided some last-minute showdowns and surprises which have made for exciting golf! The Trophy Presentation will take place on the 18th green immediately following the completion of play.

For more detailed information about The RSM Classic and to purchase tickets to the tournament and/or any of the events or to inquire about hospitality packages, visit rsmclassic.com. It’s one of the most exciting times of the year on the island, and we hope to see you out at Seaside or some of the other events!