Kisner, Children- and Family-focused Charities Win at The RSM Classic

Today’s update is from Alex Monahan from RSM US’s transaction advisory services team. Alex is based out of the firm’s Boston office, and was co-leader for the RSM US’s Birdies Fore Love efforts this year.

As a golfer, making the trip to The RSM Classic was something I had been hoping do since I was an office champion for the firm’s Birdies Fore Love (BFL) campaign in Boston in 2014. This year, I was provided with the amazing opportunity to serve as one of the BFL national leaders, alongside Teresa Carlin (RSM US national BFL co-leader), and merge my passion for philanthropy with my career at RSM. Working with Teresa and the office champions to reach the $500,000 goal set by the RSM US Foundation was truly rewarding, and the results of this year’s campaign blew me away. The tireless efforts of the office champions around the country, combined with the support of RSM leadership and employees, and our clients resulted in an astonishing $1.2 million being raised for our local charities.

As the culmination of the Birdies Fore Love campaign, this week, my hopes became a reality as I was able to experience first-hand, some of the behind-the-scenes work that lead to an amazing tournament, while also having the opportunity to celebrate the success of Birdies Fore Love. There have been so many highlights from the trip; from presenting the $1.2 million check and observing the annual charity putting tournament, to having the chance to speak with Team RSM Member and Tournament Host Davis Love and others within his foundation about the Birdies Fore Love campaign, and visiting the Golf Channel production truck during its broadcast…it has all been a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

It has also been great to get to know many of our clients, potential clients and firm leadership.  Many of the guests I spoke with were so impressed with the hospitality and caliber of the week’s events, and I couldn’t agree more. Whether it was the RSM Chalet at the 18^th green, the evening receptions or the two concerts (Hootie and the Blowfish and Martina McBride), everything was absolutely top-notch.

Unfortunately, yesterday was the final day of the Classic, but it was  
so much fun to see a first-time winner, Kevin Kisner, take home the trophy. My wife, Julie and I followed Kevin and his group around for a few holes on Sunday, and you could tell that he was zoned in and that he was not about to give up the lead that he had coming into the final day. His focus led to a tournament record 22-under. As I get ready to play in the Am-Am on the same course Kevin just went 6-under on the day before, I can only hope I shoot under 100!

Thank you again to all of those who contributed or supported the Birdies Fore Love campaign and made this year such a success. I’m looking forward to helping increase the impact that we have in our communities even more next year!