In addition to the traditional Thanksgiving holiday, there’s another celebration on St. Simons Island in November for which we give thanks: The RSM Classic. Now in its 13th year, this highly anticipated fall PGA TOUR event, hosted by Davis Love III and the Davis Love Foundation, draws some of the world’s most elite golfers to the Golden Isles. Played at Sea Island Golf Club, this event is contested on both the Seaside and Plantation courses, offering challenging play with stunning ocean and marsh views, as well as incredible amenities, such as access to the 17,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Golf Performance Center.
We hope that you’ll join us in welcoming our victorious Presidents Cup US Team Captain and his fellow Team RSM member and assistant captain (and next year’s Ryder Cup US Team Captain) Zach Johnson back to their home course by attending the tournament they helped begin. From the time of its inception in 2010, Love’s vision was to provide PGA Tour players with an enjoyable, yet still challenging, test at Sea Island Golf Club within a relaxed setting that offers a wonderful experience for not only the pros and their caddies, but for their families, sponsors, volunteers, media, and spectators too. The tournament is also ripe with charitable giving opportunities that enrich our community. Spending the day out on these gorgeous grounds with family and friends is a highlight of the season for many locals and visitors alike.
Sea Island President and CEO Scott Steilen says, “The RSM Classic not only increases awareness of Sea Island across the country and around the world but hosting it each year also helps solidify our position as one of the top golf resorts in the United States. From a community perspective, The Classic generates incredible financial support for area charities through the Davis Love III Foundation, creates an undeniable sense of pride and commitment from our residents, and showcases the beauty of our coastal setting in the fall, when people may not typically consider coming to visit the Georgia coast.”
When offered the opportunity, partners from outside the region definitely welcome the chance to visit. Jeffrey B. Freitas, President/CEO of M3COM, says, “The RSM Classic allows M3COM to be surrounded by world class organizations, business leaders, and the great people of the Golden Isles. Furthermore, The RSM Classic and DLF give M3COM the opportunity to play a small part in assisting the youth of the region through charitable giving and participation. The RSM Classic has become the highlight event of M3COM’s year!”
Benjamin Galland
In addition to the extensive tourism impact that positively affects our community, the RSM Classic has a far-reaching social impact as the Davis Love Foundation’s largest fundraiser. This is primarily thanks to the incredible support of the Golden Isles community, local and national business partners, generous donors and RSM, the company Love calls without hesitation “the best title sponsor in golf.” One of those local business partners is Synovus Bank. R. Wayne Johnson, Market President of Synovus shared, “We’re thrilled to be a part of the RSM Classic and support the Davis Love Foundation. Synovus is committed to strengthening the communities we serve through our charitable giving and team member outreach. Our sponsorship of the RSM Classic not only allows us to ensure a wonderful experience for patrons and PGA TOUR players but also deepens community relationships and meaningfully impacts our region.”
Founded in 2005, the Davis Love Foundation supports local, regional, and national community-based programs that focus on children and families. Since the tournament began through last year, the Foundation surpassed total charitable giving of $28 million, with most of the benefiting charities based here in the Golden Isles. Kris Maichle, General Manager of Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals, says that type of giving back is precisely the reason his organization has been a proud partner of the Davis Love Foundation and The RSM Classic since its inception in 2010.
“Our founder, Roy Hodnett, was powered by the idea of being a servant leader and his impact as a steward of our community continues to have a lasting effect. Our partnership with The RSM Classic allows us to express gratitude to our hard-working staff, their families, vendors, and valued property owners by sharing the unique experience of world class golf competing in an intimate setting.” Maichle continues, “Likewise, our partnership with the Davis Love Foundation as a family foundation, is a continuation of Roy’s ideals for our company; to support and empower the community and local programs such as Boys and Girls Club or the Special Olympics. The impact the Davis Love Foundation, Davis, and Mark have had as ambassadors of the Golden Isles makes it a simple decision to continue our partnership knowing much of the investment will be used to improve the lives of children and families in our community and beyond.”
In addition to up-close viewing of four competitive rounds of exceptional golf by some of the world’s most elite golfers, tournament week features a variety of events and showcases of the best the Golden Isles has to offer. From fun activities kids and casual spectators to opportunities for the most avid golf fans to meet PGA TOUR pros and witness competitive play on the greens, there’s something for everyone.
Here’s a peek at this year’s Schedule of Events:
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15:
PGA TOUR players and PGA TOUR Wives Association members, along with local elementary school students, battle on the baseball field while raising money for charity in the annual Wiffle®Ball Classic. Come out to Frederica Academy at 5:00 p.m. to see the trash-talkers and their spouses (we’re not saying who’s who!) play for this year’s bragging rights. Admission is free.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16:
Everyone is invited to attend Community Day. Admission is free, and you can watch the action in the Yamaha Pro-Am Event, which takes place on the both the Seaside and Plantation Courses.
At 3:30 p.m., the Charity Putting Challenge will get underway on the Speedway Putting Course.
That evening, St. Simons Island Rotary hosts the 11th Annual Meet the Pros cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. This year the event is at the A.W. Jones Heritage Center on St. Simons Island. This event gives attendees a rare opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with participating RSM Classic players. The evening includes an upscale cocktail reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres, a compelling silent auction, a wine pull, new and exciting live auction items, and exclusive personal interviews with RSM Classic Pros. All proceeds from the event benefit children and family charities in the Golden Isles. More than $250,000 has been donated to these programs from previous Meet the RSM Pros events. Tickets are $110 per person and include a complimentary Any-Day Pass ($70 value) to the RSM Classic. Purchase online at ssirotary.org.
Meet the RSM Pros Participating sponsors include Gold Sponsor: Nalley Automotive Group; Bronze Sponsors: Debbie Britt Law, DeLoach Sotheby’s International Realty, Iguanas, Marshland Credit Union, McGinty-Gordon & Associates, Marsh’s Edge, Raymond James/Champion & Magbee, Stretch Zone; Friends: Jane & Kern Baker, Sue & Chuck Cansler, Janice Lamattina, Terri & Joe Leek, Doug Sharp, Clyde Taylor, and Beverly Trainor.
Benjamin Galland
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17:
Gates open at 9:00 a.m. Merchandise Tent open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Competitive play in The RSM Classic begins with Round 1. Tee Times TBA.
“Party at the Green” – starts following the completion of play.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18:
Gates open at 9:00 a.m. Merchandise Tent open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Round 2 of The RSM Classic. Tee Times TBA.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19:
Gates open at 9:00 a.m. Merchandise Tent open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Military Appreciation Day: Wear your red, white and blue!
Round 3 of The RSM Classic. Tee Times TBA.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20:
Gates open at 9:00 a.m. Merchandise Tent open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Final Round of The RSM Classic. Tee Times TBA.
The Trophy Presentation will take place on the 18th green immediately following the completion of play.
Some special highlights you won’t want to miss this year:
Community Day
Kick off the 2022 RSM Classic by coming out to the tournament grounds for Community Day on Wednesday, November 16. Preview the top PGA TOUR Professionals competing in this year’s tournament as they play in one of the highlight events of tournament week: the Yamaha Pro-Am. Admission is free, as is the parking and roundtrip shuttle transportation from the General Parking area located at the McKinnon St. Simons Island Airport. Community Day is made possible through these partners: Golden Isles CVB, Southeast Georgia Health System, Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Gilbert, Harrell, Sumerford and Martin, Chick-fil-A, and GP Cellulose. Even if you don’t make it over for the Pro Am, you’ll want to be at the putting green at 3:30 p.m. to watch PGA TOUR Pros join local participants from Boys and Girls Club of SE Georgia and Special Olympics of Coastal Georgia in the always exciting and immensely entertaining Charity Putting Challenge. It’s one of our favorite parts of tournament week!
Local Flavors
Enjoy delicious food options from local restaurant partners including Southern Soul (located in The Golden Isles Green), Porch’s Cluck Truck (across from Seaside Halfway House), Chick-fil-A, Salata and Jimmy John’s (all at the “Crossover” on Seaside Golf Course #5), Jefecita’s and Reid’s Apothecary food trucks (in “The Dunes” on Seaside Golf Course between #13 and #15), and Sandy Bottom Bagels (Seaside Halfway House).
Golden Isles Green
Visit the Golden Isles Green located near the main tournament entrance. On the Green, you’ll find the Golden Isles Welcome Tent, Southern Soul BBQ, the Sea Island Bar, video screens for watching golf and other sports action and The RSM Classic Merchandise Tent which features a great selection of apparel, headwear and commemorative items. Shop Peter Millar and Imperial Headwear, along with numerous other popular brands.
Family Fun
Benjamin Galland
All youth 15 years and younger are admitted FREE every day when accompanied by an adult ticket holder (excludes access to hospitality venues). Visit the Youth Zone, an interactive area for kids of all ages sponsored by Southeast Georgia Health System and First Tee of the Golden Isles. Located on the range near the autograph zone, the Youth Zone includes games, a mini golf course, and a chance for autographs from the world’s best PGA TOUR Players!
@TheRSMClassic
Want to be the first to know? Follow @TheRSMClassic on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for player commitments, latest info and great prizes.
Tickets and Hospitality
Limited tickets are available for grounds and hospitality.
Seaside Cabana – New for 2022, The Seaside Cabana and Terraces combine reserved hospitality space with a shared strolling hospitality experience offering multiple viewing venues located around the Seaside Course at Sea Island Golf Club. Grab and Go food selections are provided by Halyards Restaurant Group and full bar service (wine, beer, spirits) is provided by Sea Island Resort. Seaside Cabana packages include VIP parking.
Seaside Terraces – Back after a popular launching in 2021, the Seaside Terraces provide a strolling hospitality experience with multiple viewing venues located on the Seaside Course. The tournament’s most flexible all-inclusive hospitality ticket, with no minimums and daily options, the Seaside Terraces include Grab and Go food selections provided by Halyards Restaurant Group and full bar service by Sea Island Resort. VIP Parking available with weekly packages.
Patron Pass – A daily patron pass is available which includes access to the tournament grounds at Sea Island Golf Club, parking and shuttle service from St. Simons Island Airport. Complimentary parking and shuttle services are provided by the Glynn County Airport Commission and SERVPRO, the tournament’s Official Transportation partner.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit RSMClassic.com. Hope to see you there!
