Goodbye to a Legend and Hello to Hazeltine

It’s been a sad week in the golf world, as we learned on Sun., Sept. 25 of the passing of golf legend and humanitarian Arnold “The King” Palmer. Social and traditional media outlets have been sharing tributes continuously, and both 2016 Ryder Cup teams are playing in Palmer’s memory this week. And one of this week’s touching tributes was from a recent Ryder Cup article, where Team Europe’s Captain Darren Clarke noted:

"Our sport wouldn't be where it is without Mr. Palmer," Clarke said after he flew from London to Minnesota on Monday with the Europeans' 209-person traveling party. "He was obviously a very proud American, very patriotic toward the Ryder Cup. But more than that, he was a global superstar and he inspired people all over the world to take up our great sport. He was one of the first guys to come over and start playing in the [British] Open Championship and he persuaded all the other top guys in the world to play it. Mr. Palmer did an awful lot for the golf, our golf as we know it these days."

Regardless of which team you’re pulling for this week at Hazeltine, we’re all mourning the loss of a legend while, at the same time, looking forward to seeing some great golf in his memory this week as the long-awaited 2016 Ryder Cup tees off. To begin, on Thurs., Sept. 29,  there will be a moment of silence for “The King” during the opening ceremonies. Both Ryder Cup teams will wear pins in remembrance of Arnold, and fans in attendance will receive keepsake buttons, featuring an “Arnie’s Army” logo created by the PGA Tour and the Palmer family. We’re looking forward to seeing Team RSM representing both teams – it’s a win-win! For the U.S., Team RSM Member Davis Love III (who is also host of The RSM Classic), is serving as captain. He will be joined by fellow Team RSM Member Zach Johnson. For Team Europe, RSM UK ambassadors Paul Lawrie and Andy Sullivan will both play key roles. While Andy will make his Ryder Cup debut as a player, Lawrie, who has previously represented Europe twice at The Ryder Cup, takes the role of vice-captain. We’ll certainly be tuning in to watch the coverage. Friday morning foursomes will tee off at 7:35am, 7:50am, 8:05am, and 8:20am CST. What are your predictions?

Shifting gears a bit, The RSM Classic recently shared some exciting  news: The Yamaha Golf-Car Company will sponsor the 2016 Pro-Am at this year’s tournament on Wed., Nov. 16. The Pro-Am will be played on both the Plantation and Seaside courses at Sea Island Golf Club at Georgia’s Golden Isles. (These are the same the professional golfers will play competitive rounds on during The RSM Classic.) The RSM Classic is also excited to partner with the St. Simons Island Food & Spirits Festival to bring a new upscale and fun culinary event to the Golden Isles during tournament week. “A Taste of the Golden Isles” will take place Fri., Nov. 18, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the St. Simons Island Pier Village. Come and enjoy LIVE music and small plate tasting stations from the Golden Isles’ top chefs and restaurants while mingling with PGA TOUR Professionals and other celebrity guests. An assortment of exceptional wines, spirits and beers will be featured, as well. Make your plans today!
 

Before closing we wanted to share something fun about Team RSM Member Zach Johnson. Earlier this week a bronze statue of Zach was installed at the Iowa Hall of Pride in Des Moines. How cool is that?

Check back next week for the latest updates about the 2016 RSM Classic (Nov. 14-20) and Team RSM.

Big Picks, Big Events and Big Opportunities Coming Your Way

This week, the Ryder Cup shared a fun video featuring Team RSM Member and Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III. Spending some time at home before the 2016 Ryder Cup, Davis relaxes with his wife Robin, watches his son hit balls, feeds the horses, remembers Payne Stewart and has lunch at his favorite restaurant, Southern Soul (which is also one of our favorites when we visit Sea Island each year for The RSM Classic). Check out the video here.  

And speaking of Davis and the Ryder Cup, if you’re like us and are looking forward to finding out who Davis’ last Captain’s Pick will be, his selection will be announced Sept. 25 during halftime of Bears-Cowboys game on Sunday Night Football on NBC. Tune in to hear the announcement, while watching some great football.

Here at RSM, we’re also looking forward to returning to Sea Island in November for the 2016 RSM Classic. One of our favorite aspects of the tournament each year is opportunities it provides for us, our friends, colleagues, golf fans and others with opportunity to supporting deserving nonprofit organizations. One the ways the tournament gives back is through the Friends of Davis Love Foundation program. The program, administered by the Davis Love Foundation, raises money for participating charities each year as part of The RSM Classic. Through the program, each participating charity sells raffle tickets ($20 each) for a chance to win a new 2016 Buick Verano, courtesy of Nalley Automotive of Brunswick. One-hundred percent of the money collected through the raffle is distributed back to participating charities. Charities have until Fri., Nov. 11 to sell raffle tickets to raise money for their organizations.  A drawing for the winner of the new car  takes place during the tournament each year, with this year’s drawing scheduled for Sat., Nov. 19. If you want to enter for your chance to win while supporting a family- and children-focused charitable organizations, purchase your ticket(s) today.

Be sure to check back next week for the latest on The RSM Classic and Team RSM. This year’s tournament is now less than two months away, and we’re looking forward to keeping you updated on this year’s events!

Two-Month Marker

Team RSM Member and Team USA Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III was the spotlight in the golf world this past Monday with the announcement of his three Captains Picks. Joining Team USA will be J.B. Holmes, Rickie Fowler and Matt Kuchar. Are those players who you anticipated would be selected? It’ll be exciting to find out who the final Captains Pick will go to, following the TOUR Championship next weekend. Who do you think it’ll be?

And speaking of an exciting tournament field, we’re right at the two-month marker for The RSM Classic.  For the second consecutive year, the tournament will be contested on two of the Sea Island Golf Club courses—the Seaside Course and Plantation Course. Playing on two courses allows the tournament to have a larger field for more golf action!

Thinking about joining us in the beautiful Golden Isles? Purchase your RSM Classic tickets here and explore the “Spectator Info” tab to learn more about the tournament and all the fun activities taking place November 14-20, 2016.

As we continue to countdown to tee off, we’ll be sharing fun and helpful golf tips. The PGA TOUR recently shared a golf cart safety video. Check it out below:

 

Be sure to check back next week for the latest on The RSM Classic and Team RSM.



All in Good (Golf) Fun

This week, Team RSM is keeping busy – both on and off the course. Team RSM member Zach Johnson is in Indiana for the BMW Championship. Joining him at Crooked Stick Golf Club are past RSM Classic champions Chris Kirk (2013) and Kevin Kisner (2015). All teeing off from tee No. 1, Zach started the day at 10:03 a.m. ET; Kevin at 1:20 p.m.; and Chris is in the last group at 2:15 p.m. Best of luck to each of you this weekend!

Next week (Mon., Sept. 12), Team RSM member Davis Love III (who is not only host of The RSM Classic, but Captain of the 2016 U.S. Ryder Cup) will name three of his four captains picks. Following the TOUR Championship, Davis will render his decision on that coveted final captain’s pick. So, we know he’ll be thinking about that a lot over the weekend and the next couple of weeks! Who would you like to see join the team?

In preparation for this year’s Ryder Cup, the European team recently scoured their archives to share 12 memorable rookie moments. Featured in their 1999 spot is Team RSM member Paul Lawrie. An excerpt from the article reads:

The same year, fellow rookie Paul Lawrie was handed one of the most daunting tasks in golf – hitting the nerve-wracking first tee shot at The Ryder Cup. Alongside Colin Montgomerie in the opening foursomes, the Open Champion of the same year put aside some incredible pressure to rifle his drive straight down the fairway. “When I got on the tee I was as nervous as I’ve ever been,” said Lawrie. “There were thousands around the tee, and then you know there are millions of people watching on the telly. There have been so many shocking shots that I was quite proud of myself. Mickelson missed the fairway by about 50 yards."

This year will be fellow European Tour and Team RSM member Andy Sullivan’s rookie year at the Ryder Cup. Maybe we’ll see his performance in a similar future piece? Read the full Ryder Cup article here.

At Sea Island – home of The RSM Classic – there have been some fun activities happening. Past RSM Classic winners Ben Crane (2011) and Robert Streb (2014) played the Tin Cup Challenge. In case you’re not familiar with the Challenge, it’s a bit of a mixture of baseball and golf, which involves the use of a variety of tools, but no bats or putters. It’s quite comical, check out the SKRATCH TV video below:

 

And Sea Island Life recently ran an article about everyone’s favorite topic – food! The publication spoke with several PGA TOUR professionals to see what their favorite food stops are on the island. Check out the article here. For our readers who’ve visited Sea Island, what’s YOUR favorite spot to eat on the island? Never been? Be sure to read the pros’ recommendations before you visit. There’s some “good eatin’” on the island, and these fellas can give you the scoop!

 

Check back next week for the latest developments related to Team RSM and the 2016 RSM Classic (Nov. 14-20)! It promises to be another stellar event!

Golf Minded

With it being the start of September, there’s one thing on EVERY golf fan’s mind… The Ryder Cup!  There has been a flurry of news coverage recently about Team RSM member and 2016 Team USA Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III (who also happens to be host of The RSM Classic at Sea Island each year). The top eight members of this year’s Team USA have been confirmed. We are beyond excited that fellow Team RSM member Zach Johnson qualified for Team USA, and Team RSM member Andy Sullivan made the European team! Now, we’re anticipating who the four Capitan’s Picks will be. Who do YOU think Davis should select? Visit www.rydercup.com to read recent articles and learn the latest on all things Ryder Cup.

Another fun thing related to the 2016 Ryder Cup: Davis is currently on a nationwide “trophy” tour to promote Team USA and other matters with The Ryder Cup. Check out the video:

 

With golf action on the mind, Zach is busy this week in Massachusetts for the Deutsche Bank Championship. Joining Zach on the course are a few familiar faces: past RSM Classic winners Chris Kirk (2013) and Kevin Kisner (2015). Teeing off at 9:27 a.m. ET, Chris started on tee No. 10; from tee No. 1, Zach starts at 12:52 p.m.; and Kevin isn’t too far behind at 1:28 p.m. from tee No. 1. Best of luck to all “our guys” this week!

All of us with RSM hope you have a safe and wonderful Labor Day weekend. Be sure to check back next week as we share more about the 2016 RSM Classic (Nov. 14-22) and Team RSM.