Powered by Love

For the PGA TOUR player who travels upwards of 50,000 miles in an average year, The RSM Classic held on their “home” course at Sea Island Golf Club has become a working vacation. For tournament host Davis Love, III., Harris English, Brian Harman, Zach Johnson, Patton Kizzire, Keith Mitchell, J.T. Poston and a host of other PGA TOUR players, it’s an opportunity to showcase the Golden Isles community. “It’s the most intimate venue on TOUR,” said Love. “We take a lot of pride in showcasing this area to the world and in letting all those who live and visit here experience the genuine Southern hospitality for which our community is renowned.”

Scott McQuade, President and CEO of the Golden Isles Convention & Visitors Bureau acknowledges that the tournament does exactly that. “The RSM Classic showcases the absolute best of the Golden Isles. Not only do residents and visitors get to enjoy one of the most beautiful seaside settings and events, but also through our partnership with The RSM Classic and The Golf Channel we advertise our amazing community to the world.”

Love himself is a fixture of the Golden Isles community. Davis was 15 when his family moved to St. Simons Island. He graduated from Glynn Academy, where he met his future wife, Robin. After attending college in North Carolina and turning pro in 1985, he returned to the island. Davis and Robin raised their children here, along with Davis’ brother Mark and his family. Bumping into Davis picking up groceries at Harris-Teeter or grabbing ice cream with the grandkids at Frosty’s Griddle & Shake is a common occurrence.

Giving back to the community he loves is simply second nature. “Robin and I established the Davis Love Foundation in 2005 to support local, regional, and national community-based programs that focus on children and families,” said Love. Five years later, Love, with the support of Zach Johnson, PGA TOUR leadership, and others brought The RSM Classic to the area. The tournament is the Foundation’s largest fundraiser. This is largely due to the incredible support of this community, local and national business partners, generous donors and RSM, the best title sponsor in golf.

But before discussing The RSM Classic and its November return to the island, let’s turn our attention to some other things keeping our Golden Isles professional golfers busy. Love and Johnson each currently represent Team USA and hold the role of captain in two of golf’s biggest rivalries, The Presidents Cup and 44th Ryder Cup, respectively.

Powered by Leadership

33 PGA TOUR Victories. 3 Major Championships. 4 Terms as Captain of Presidents and Ryder Cups. 2 Payne Stewart Awards. These are just a few of the combined accomplishments of Golden Isles residents Zach Johnson and Davis Love III.

This month, Love will lead Team USA in the 2022 Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. He says, “It’s a tremendous honor to be named captain of the U.S. Team for the 2022 Presidents Cup. My history with this event dating back to 1994 conjures up indelible memories of competition, camaraderie, and sportsmanship, and I’m thrilled to be leading the top American players.”

Love is the ninth U.S. Team captain, joining the likes of Tiger Woods (2019), Steve Stricker (2017), Jay Haas (2015), Fred Couples (2013, 2011, 2009), Jack Nicklaus (2007, 2005, 2003, 1998), Ken Venturi (2000), Arnold Palmer (1996) and Hale Irwin (1994). Davis says of the honor, “The U.S. Team has been guided by some of the game’s all-time greats since 1994, and I will do my best to carry on that legacy as we look to retain the Cup.”

“Davis has been instrumental in the foundation and continued growth of the Presidents Cup, and it’s only fitting that he returns to Charlotte to lead the U.S. Team in 2022,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “He has been a role model to so many young players on the PGA TOUR, and I know that leadership will serve him well in this role as he leans on his wealth of experience as a competitor and captain in team competition.”

In February, Zach Johnson was named the 30th U.S. Captain of the Ryder Cup since its inception in 1927. He will lead Team USA in the 44th Ryder Cup to be played at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, Italy on September 25-October 1, 2023. Zach made his Ryder Cup debut in 2006 and played in five Ryder Cups (2006, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016). Johnson has served as a U.S. Vice Captain in the last two Ryder Cups. Davis led the U.S. team in 2012 and 2016.

“I am confident that Zach's appointment will be wildly popular with the players as well as throughout American golf circles," said PGA of America President Jim Richerson. "But more than that, Zach is the caliber of individual that the PGA of America wants representing the United States and our 28,000-plus PGA Professionals on the global stage. He has performed on the biggest stages as a player, a teammate and as a Vice Captain. He checks every conceivable leadership box, and we anticipate that the U.S. Team in Italy will reflect the hard work, grit and selfless determination that have long defined his stellar playing career”.

“To accept this Captaincy, to lead this United States Ryder Cup Team abroad ー after what we accomplished last year at Whistling Straits ー is simply the greatest honor of my professional career,” said Zach. “I want to thank the PGA of America Ryder Cup Committee for this special opportunity. As exciting as this is for both my family and me, it is equally sobering to understand the scope of our challenge in Rome, as we have not won on the road in three decades. To win, we will have to outplay a European Team that will have both ample talent and motivation on their side.”

Powered by Partners

Love’s home tournament, The RSM Classic, now in its 13th year, has become a highly anticipated annual PGA TOUR event, drawing some of the world’s most elite golfers to the Golden Isles. Played at Sea Island Golf Club, and hosted by the Davis Love Foundation, this event is contested on both the Seaside and Plantation courses. It offers challenging play with beautiful ocean and marsh views and stunning amenities including access to the 17,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Golf Performance Center. 

Since its inception in 2010, Love’s vision for the event has been simple: Give players an enjoyable but demanding test at Sea Island Golf Club and do it in a relaxed setting that offers a wonderful experience for pros, their families, caddies, sponsors, volunteers, media, and spectators.

Patrick Parker, President of The Parker Companies, expresses his pride to be a tournament partner, and suggests that Davis hit his mark. “The RSM Classic is the perfect opportunity to showcase the pristine natural beauty of our area, our supportive and generous business community, and of course our Southern hospitality.”

Another proud supporter, Chef Dave Snyder of Halyards Restaurant Group says, “The atmosphere during tournament week enhances the positive, happy vibe our locals share while living the island life. The money that The RSM classic generates for our local charities improves the lives of locals who might need a helping hand. All of this is accomplished by the power of teamwork designed and implemented by those conducting the symphony of wonderful chaos that is a PGA event.”

The RSM Classic quickly became a Seaside Tradition that focuses on raising charitable dollars for children and families in need. In 2021, the Davis Love Foundation surpassed total charitable giving of $28 million since the tournament began. Many benefiting charities, including the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Georgia, are based here in the Golden Isles. “We are committed to positively impacting children and family charities through the dollars raised through The RSM Classic,” said Love. “It is our privilege to continue the PGA TOUR’s tradition of giving back.”

Rees Sumerford, a Partner at Gilbert, Harrell, Sumerford & Martin, P.C. praises the annual tournament, “The RSM Classic showcases the best of the Golden Isles and in turn makes the Golden Isles a better place to live, work, and play. Being a sponsor of The RSM Classic allows Gilbert Harrell to connect with the community and participate in the philanthropy of the Davis Love Foundation.” 

The economic impact that The RSM Classic has on the Golden Isles cannot be ignored. It is in the tens of millions of dollars annually. Ryan Moore, President & CEO of the Golden Isles Development Authority addressed this, saying, “The RSM Classic’s tourism impact to the local economy is tremendous and the resulting social impact from charitable giving creates positive change in our community. Furthermore, the event has become a showcase of our community to our guests and has become a significant date on our partners’ and prospects’ annual travel calendar. I’d like to thank the leadership who go above and beyond to make sure that everyone has a memorable experience and to position the RSM Classic and Golden Isles as a destination for a world class golf experience.”

The tournament’s success depends not only on the support of corporate partners like those mentioned above, but members of the community. Here’s what YOU as an individual or business can do today to be involved in this special event. VOLUNTEER: It takes 1,200 volunteers in multiple areas to produce this first-class event. EXPLORE HOSPITALITY OPTIONS: Limited hospitality and specialty tickets are available for both individuals and businesses. PURCHASE A PASS: The patron pass provides access to the grounds at Sea Island Golf Club during the tournament. DONATE: Make a donation to a Friends of the Foundation participating charity for the chance to win a 2022 GMC Terrain from Nalley. Gifts can also be made directly to the Davis Love Foundation.

For more information about The RSM Classic and these opportunities, visit RSMClassic.com. We look forward to seeing you November 16-20.