Tommy Gainey eagle
The Seaside Tradition continues at Sea Island Golf Club November 4-10 when The McGladrey Classic, an Official PGA TOUR FedExCup Event, sponsored by McGladrey LLP, returns. Here are the week's events at a glance:
Monday, November 4
NEW! Community Day – In appreciation of the support that Golden Isles residents and golf fans have given The McGladrey Classic in its first three years, the Monday of tournament week will be FREE to everyone. Watch the pros and amateurs play in the Monday Pro-Am and see the pros practice. There will be a Pro-Am shotgun start at 10am with PGA TOUR pros and amateurs. Our favorite St. Louis Cardinal ace and hometown hero will be playing in the Pro-Am.
Youth Day sponsored by Southeast Georgia Health System and Wolfson Children’s at Southeast Georgia Health System will take place from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. The activities include a healthy lifestyle obstacle course, SNAG golf hitting bays, bean bag toss, and face painting.
Also on Monday, the Humana WalkIt Trail will open. Spectators are encouraged to pick up a WalkIt Trail score card, walk the trail and record the codes at five different marker locations. Those completing the course and recording the correct codes can turn in the card for a free Good Any Day ticket to return to the tournament on any day of your choosing Thursday through Sunday. The WalkIt Trail will also be open Wednesday through Sunday. Spectators can receive a scorecard and free pedometer at the Humana tent. Those completing the course and recording the correct codes on those days will receive a prize from The McGladrey Classic.
Tuesday, November 5
Wiffle Ball Classic – Although the course is closed on Tuesday, you can still catch some great action by the PGA TOUR players and their wives when the tournament, in conjunction with the PGA TOUR Wives Association, co-hosts the Wiffle Ball Classic, a charity event to benefit Blessings in a Backpack at Altama Elementary School. The game, which will take place at 5:00 p.m. at the Frederica Academy baseball field, will feature PGA TOUR players, their wives and youth from Altama Elementary who earn spots on the team through the school’s Positive Behavior Initiative and Support program. Committed to play are Scott and Jennifer Stallings, William and Sarah McGirt, Tommy and Erin Gainey, Jonathan and Amanda Byrd, Mark and Amy Wilson, Scott and Allison Brown, Blake and Beth Adams, Billy and Heather Hurley, Zach and Kim Johnson, Hudson Swafford and fiancée Katherine Brandon, Kevin and Brittany Kisner, Brendon and Rachel Todd and John and Heather Rollins AND a special participant: St. Louis Cardinal pitcher and St. Simons Island resident Adam Wainwright, and his wife, Jenny. We can't WAIT to see how the PGA TOUR players fare against this ace who's coming home after playing in the World Series! Admission is free, and concessions are available for purchase.
Wednesday, November 6
The McGladrey Pro-Am
Teams of three amateur golfers will tee off in the morning and afternoon with top PGA TOUR pros. At 2:00 p.m. in the Miller64 Fan Village, PGA TOUR pros Justin Leonard and David Toms will join Sea Island Chefs for a cooking demonstration. Participants can watch as they showcase their family recipes from the PGA TOUR Wives 25th Anniversary Book. Guests will be given samples at the completion of each recipe. Leonard will be cooking his Turkey Chili with Kale and Toms his Pickled Shrimp Salad. Attendees will have the opportunity to view and purchase the PGA TOUR Wives Association Book signed by Leonard and Toms.
In addition to the PGA TOUR Wives Association involvement in the Wiffle Ball game and cooking demonstration, some recipes from their cookbooks will be available for sampling each day in the Miller64 Fan Village from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Wives will also host a Meet and Greet Thursday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
At 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, there will be a Charity Putting Contest on the practice putting green. Participants from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Georgia and Special Olympics will team with PGA TOUR pros as they compete in a fun challenge.
“Live Under the Oaks” Concert with Country superstar Toby Keith. Keith is a singer, songwriter, actor and avid golf fan whose albums have sold more than 37 million copies, ranking him among the top-selling all-genre artists on Billboard’s Top 200 Artists of the Decade. Like Tournament Host Davis Love III, Keith's most rewarding experiences come from giving back, whether helping sick children and their families in his native Oklahoma through the Toby Keith Foundation or supporting U.S. Troops, including USO Tours throughout the world. The concert, presented by Southeast Georgia Health System, will be held after the Official McGladrey Pro-Am event, and proceeds benefit charities of the Davis Love Foundation. Keith plans to play in the Pro-Am with Davis Love III, tournament host, earlier in the day.
Thursday, November 7 - Friday, November 8
Rounds 1-2 – The McGladrey Classic 132 players will tee off in the first two competitive rounds of The McGladrey Classic. At the end of play on Friday, the field will be reduced to the seventy golfers with the lowest scores.
The Dawg House: We love the Bulldawgs and The McGladrey Classic’s Dawg House is a perfect venue for watching the tournament.
Saturday, November 9
Round 3 – In appreciation to those who serve and have served in armed services, Saturday is Military Appreciation Day. The McGladrey Classic, in collaboration with John Campbell and many local and national supporters, will bring approximately 50 Wounded Warriors and family members from Camp Lejeune, Ft. Stewart and Ft. Lewis to the Golden Isles. Residents and visitors are invited to line the entrance to St. Simons Island to welcome these honorees as they travel with a police and motorcycle escort to Sea Island Golf Club. They are scheduled to cross the causeway between 9:45 and 10:00 am. Tournament goers are encouraged to wear red, white and blue to show their appreciation of the brave men and women who serve in the military and to attend a special ceremony on the first tee prior to the start of play.
Sunday, November 10
Final Round – Immediately following play, the trophy will be presented to the 2013 McGladrey Classic champion. Now as part of the FedExCup series, The McGladrey Classic winner will automatically receive an invitation to play in next year’s Masters tournament.
BIRDIES FORE LOVE
Don’t forget about the Birdies Fore Love program going on now through Wednesday, November 6.
This special program raises money for many children and family charities and needs your participation. It’s simple: guess the number of birdies that will be made during the four competitive rounds. Pick the participating charity of your choice. Pledge a minimum of .01 per birdie or a minimum flat fee of $10. If you guess correctly you win a 2013 Buick Encore from Nalley Buick-GMC. Law enforcement officer Mark Neu won last year. This year it could be you! Visit birdiesforelove.com for more information.
For more information on The McGladrey Classic or any of the events listed here, visit mcgladreyclassic.com.
