Great Golf and Giving Back
The RSM Classic, PGA TOUR and Fed Ex Cup golf tournament, is certainly known for high caliber play on the greens, however, this event is equally impressive for how much it gives back to the community and various charities in so many ways. RSM Classic week ended with an exciting playoff round of golf on a very chilly and unexpected Monday morning, but what some people don’t realize is that the tournament events began on a cold driving range the Monday before. That was the morning of the Birdies for the Brave Callaway Warriors Club Fitting.
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U.S. ARMY Sgt. First Class Joe LeCara and Lt. Jesse Cazaux, both combat wounded soldiers, were fitted in the Callaway trailer and then hit the Sea Island driving range to try clubs and have their swings analyzed. Callaway representatives gave them tips and they also got to meet last year’s RSM Classic winner, Kevin Kisner, as well as other PGA Tour pros and visitors who came out to the range. The soldiers will each receive a set of custom-fitted golf clubs, a golf bag, and other equipment from Callaway Golf free of charge as part of the Birdies for the Brave program. The 2016 PGA TOUR season hosts Callaway Warrior Club Fittings at 15 tournaments across the nation, fitting 30 combat-injured warriors in a mission to aid in both the physical and psychological rehabilitation process, as well as to express gratitude for their service and sacrifice. RSM also gave back to the military community this year by presenting a $10,000 check to Folds of Honor. Bill Gorman, Chief Operating Officers for RSM US LLP, said “I am pleased that we have been able to raise funds to support the families of those who have been injured or lost their lives in service to our country.”
Another event that gives back during RSM Classic week is the annual Wiffle Ball Classic hosted by the PGA TOUR Wives. This fun Wiffle ball game pits the wives against their PGA TOUR pro golfer husbands on teams that include students from Altama Elementary School. The charity chosen by the PGA TOUR Wives to benefit from the Wiffle Ball Classic is Blessings in a Backpack, and this year they were able to donate $35,000 to the Glynn Co. chapter.
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One of the highlights of the week was the Charity Putting Challenge. This event pairs PGA TOUR pros with Special Olympics athletes and members of Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Georgia for a friendly putting competition. The 12-hole course is custom designed by teaching pros at the Sea Island Golf Performance Center and has obstacles created from driftwood, shells, rocks and sand. If you want to restore your faith in humanity, spend a few hours at this event. There were holes-in-one, hugs, and high-fives. Celebrations and smiles were abundant and watching the teams work together and support each other is absolutely priceless. No matter who was named “champion” and took home the trophy that day, everyone who was there was a winner!
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The Birdies Fore Love and Friends of the Foundation programs also bring in money for our local community and beyond. Through the Birdies Fore Love program RSM partners, employees, clients and friends donated to charitable organizations worldwide. With a match from the RSM US Foundation, they were able to give $1.5 million to charity—bringing the grand total raised through this tournament to nearly $7 million to date. Yes, it’s more than just great golf.
