Play Like A Pro

To start off this week’s post, we want to take a moment to reflect on this past week’s natural disaster in Texas. Our hearts go out to all of our RSM colleagues, clients and the communities in Texas as heavy rain continues to fall on Houston and the surrounding areas from Hurricane Harvey. The firm is pledging its support to help both our people who have been affected and charitable organizations that are supporting relief efforts. 

In the world of golf, the Dell Technologies Championship is underway, with Team RSM Member Zach Johnson playing, along with past RSM Classic champions Chris Kirk (2013), Robert Streb (2014), Kevin Kisner (2015) and Mackenzie Hughes (2016). Teeing off today (Thurs., Aug. 31) at 8:27 a.m. ET, Robert begins from tee No. 10; shortly after from tee No. 1, Zach starts at 8:39 a.m.; Mackenzie starts at 1:16 p.m. from tee No. 10; Kevin starts at 1:28 p.m. from tee No. 1; and Chris tees off at 2:04 p.m. from tee No. 1. Best of luck to all “our guys” this week!

Prior to the start of Dell Technologies Championship, the PGA TOUR also shared an article outlining the support the organization and TOUR players are pledging to support Texas following Hurricane Harvey. It’s phenomenal to see everyone come together in a time of need and help the Texas communities in need. Read the full PGA TOUR article here but below is an excerpt from the article mentions:

PGA TOUR professional and Houston resident Chris Stroud led an announcement today from the TOUR’s Dell Technologies Championship, pledging support for those affected by Hurricane Harvey and the resulting flooding.  Stroud committed $10,000 toward the relief efforts and plans to add an additional 10 percent of his earnings from this week’s event.  TOUR players, fans and tournaments can further assist the American Red Cross through PGA TOUR Charities’ Together, anything’s possible platform.  Additionally, fans on site at this week’s event in Norton, Massachusetts – where players will wear red, white and blue ribbons (colors of the Texas flag) to raise awareness – can donate via kiosks in the Dell Technologies Championship Fan Experience.  Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas coast on Friday, August 25, and torrential rainfall has submerged thousands of homes and forced unprecedented evacuations.

Turning to The RSM Classic, are you an avid golfer who plans to join us down in Sea Island for tournament week? If so, don’t miss your chance to play alongside a top PGA TOUR Professional in The Yamaha Pro-Am contested on both tournament courses (Seaside and Plantation) at the historic and world renowned Sea Island Golf Club. Known for its relaxed island elegance and southern hospitality, The Yamaha Pro-Am at The RSM Classic has quickly become one of the premier Pro-Am events on the PGA TOUR. This event is unmatched for spending true quality one-on-one time with friends, top clients, and other valued business associates.

You won’t believe what’s included in the package if you participate!  

• Access to play on one of the two official tournament courses – the Plantation Course or the Seaside Course at Sea Island Golf Club
• Each group is comprised of three (3) amateurs and one (1) PGA TOUR Professional
• Invitation for each amateur contestant and a guest to attend The Yamaha Pro-Am Draft Party hosted by Davis & Robin Love on Tuesday night, November 14
• Contestant and Guest Badge grant access to the randrr Skybox Club at #18 and the grounds of Sea Island Golf Club, Thursday – Sunday
• Complimentary VIP Clubhouse Valet Parking on Wednesday
• Access to the Player’s Locker Room at The Lodge Clubhouse on Wednesday
• Exclusive gift package for each amateur contestant including a POLO shopping spree
• Commemorative picture plaque with your PGA TOUR professional
• Food and beverages provided including breakfast or lunch and on-course beverages and snacks during The Yamaha Pro-Am
• Invitation for you and a guest to attend the Wednesday Night Yamaha Pro-Am Awards Party (location TBD)
• Contestant and Guest Badge also grant access to The RSM Classic Concert Event on Saturday night (artist TBA)

You can either be an individual participant or purchase a team package (3 participants). Learn more about the Yamaha Pro-Am here.  

We hope you have a fun and relaxing Labor Day weekend! Be sure to check in next week to learn the latest on Team RSM and the 2017 RSM Classic.

Who Will It Be?

This week THE NOTHERN TRUST tees off in New York. Playing in the tournament is Team RSM Member Zach Johnson, along with past RSM Classic winners  Chris Kirk (2013), Robert Streb (2014), Kevin Kisner (2015) and Mackenzie Hughes (2016). Mackenzie started his day at 8:04 a.m. ET from tee No. 1; shortly after at 8:15 a.m., Kevin started from tee No. 10; Robert teed off at 12:00 p.m. from tee No. 1; from tee No. 1, Zach started at 12:33 p.m.; and from the same tee, Chris started at 1:17 pm. Best of luck to all “our guys” this week!

Shifting gears to The RSM Classic, the PGA TOUR event sponsored by RSM US LLP (“RSM”): Since The tournament’s concert event, sponsored by Southeast Georgia Health System began in 2011, it has showcased some of the most recognizable names in the music industry, including country music superstars Cole Swindell, Martina McBride, Darius Rucker, Toby Keith, and Gary Allan. While this year’s concert performer has not yet been announced, we’re sure it’ll be another incredible performer, and a special experience for golf enthusiasts and Sea Island locals. While we still can’t tell  you WHO will be performing, you might want to go ahead and mark your calendar for Sat., Nov. 18 as the date for this year’s concert which will, once again, be held at the McKinnon/St. Simons Island Airport. Who do YOU think will be this year’s big performer?  

As soon as the big announcement is revealed, we’ll share the exciting news! In the meantime, before concert tickets go on sale, check out the other various ticket options available. You can explore the beauty of Sea Island Golf Club, while watching some of the most elite golfers in the world with these affordable ticket options. Each grounds ticket includes:

§  Access to the grounds of Sea Island Golf Club,

§  Complimentary parking and shuttle fees from the tournament designated parking area at McKinnon/St. Simons Island Airport, and

§  Free admission for youths 17 and under when accompanied by an adult ticket holder.

In addition to the general admission tickets, special pricing is available for active and retired servicemen and women and to veterans. Learn more. The RSM Classic salutes the men and women who serve and have served in our armed forces. To show our support, all servicemen and women will have access to a hospitality venue near the #9 green. Complimentary food and non-alcoholic beverages as well as premium golf viewing will be available. While additional information about this offer is coming soon, all military can purchase can purchase up to two discounted tickets for general lawn access to The RSM Concert Event. To purchase your tickets at the discounted price, you must complete the “Military Status” and “Branch of Service” sections on the “Checkout” page.

Active Duty, Military Reserve, and Military Retirees

§  May receive up to two complimentary tickets per day to The RSM Classic (Thurs., Nov. 16 through Sun., Nov. 19)

§  Access to the Military Outpost at #9 that features complimentary food and non-alcoholic beverages

Veterans

§  May receive up to two discounted tickets per day to The RSM Classic (Thurs., Nov. 16 through Sun., Nov. 19) for $15 each

§  Access to the Military Outpost at #9 that features complimentary food and non-alcoholic beverages

(Must show Department of Defense issued ID or Photo ID along with ticket voucher at tournament Will Call to receive tickets.)

Check back next week to learn more about Team RSM and the 2017 RSM Classic (Nov. 13-19)!

Experience and Taste the Golden Isles

Team RSM members Davis Love III and Dru Love are playing in the Wyndham Championship this week. Joining them in Greensboro, NC for this tournament are past RSM Classic winners Ben Crane (2011), Tommy Gainey (2012), Robert Streb (2014) and Kevin Kisner (2015) – a mini “reunion” of sorts. Below are tee times for these players today (Aug. 17):

PLAYER	TEE NO.	TEE TIME (ET)
Davis Love III	10	7:50 a.m.
Dru Love	1	9:00 a.m.
Tommy Gainey	10	12:10 p.m.
Kevin Kisner	1	1:00 p.m.
Robert Streb	10	1:00 p.m.
Ben Crane	1	1:10 p.m.

Speaking of Kisner, what an incredible job he did last week at the PGA Championship in Charlotte! While he didn’t go home with the win, he played a fantastic tournament. According to a recent PGA TOUR article, he and his wife are expecting their second child next month.  We’re excited for Kevin and his family and will be looking forward to hearing news of the arrival of their new little one!

Another thing that has us excited: We’re excited to be under the three-month mark before the 2017 RSM Classic! There are so many items coming together and being finalized, we can hardly wait to share them with you! One event that was recently announced is the “Taste of the Golden Isles”. The Davis Love Foundation, sponsor of The RSM Classic, is excited to partner with the St. Simons Island Food & Spirits Festival (SSFSF) to host the taste event  for the second consecutive year. Held in conjunction with The RSM Classic, the event will take place Fri., Nov. 17 at 5 p.m., ET at the Casino Building in Pier Village. Proceeds from the event benefit Hospice of the Golden Isles. A sellout event in its first year, “Taste of the Golden Isles” allows guests to sample and savor some of the finest foods and spirits available in the Golden Isles, prepared by award-winning chefs from across the region. Event tickets are $70 and include unlimited tasting, a commemorative wine glass, live music and a ticket to attend The RSM Classic on Fri., Nov. 17.  Guests must be 21 years or older to attend. Tickets are limited and can only be purchased at here.

If the tasting event isn’t quite your “thing” (or even if it is), you might be interested in merchandise from The RSM Classic. If so, there’s no need to wait! In fact, there’s currently merchandise available on the tournament website. Select premium golf shirts from POLO Golf and performance hats from Imperial Headwear are available now. Take a look here.

Check back next week to learn what’s new with Team RSM and The RSM Classic (Nov. 13-19).

Major Dreaming of November

It’s a “major” week in Charlotte for the PGA Championship. The golf action is taking place on Quail Hollow Club, just a few short miles from the RSM US LLP Charlotte office, where 200+ of our employees live and work. There are quite a few familiar faces playing in this tournament including, Team RSM members Zach Johnson, Davis Love III (who we caught a quick glance of while leaving our offices yesterday evening, by the way) and Andy Sullivan, along with past RSM Classic champions Chris Kirk (2013), Robert Streb (2014), Kevin Kisner (2015) and Mackenzie Hughes (2016). The course is looking top-notch for this tournament, following last fall’s club renovations, and the generous amount of rain and cool weather the Carolinas have been experiencing this week. Learn more about how the club prepared to be on the world stage in this Charlotte Magazine article.

Below are “our guys’” tee times for today (Thurs., Aug. 10):

PLAYER	TEE NO.	TEE TIME (ET)
Robert Streb	10	7:55 a.m.
Andy Sullivan	1	8:10 a.m.
Davis Love III	10	8:45 a.m.
Zach Johnson	10	8:55 a.m.
Mackenzie	10	1:30 p.m.
Chris Kirk	1	1:45 p.m.
Kevin Kisner	1	1:55 p.m.

Watching all of these golf pros on a course so close to one of RSM’s offices has us dreaming of November and  tournament week  for The RSM Classic (Nov. 13-19). Who plans on joining us at the beautiful Sea Island? If you’ plan to join us Fri., Nov. 17, be sure to sample and savor some of the finest foods and spirits available in the Golden Isles after Friday's round of The RSM Classic! The RSM Classic and St. Simons Food & Spirits Festival are pleased to announce that Suzy & the Bird Dogs will be playing at this year’s “Taste of the Golden Isles”!  From Brunswick Georgia, the band has become well known in the Golden Isles for their alternative country and rock-and-roll sound. More details will be shared closer to tournament week but in the meantime, click here for a preview of some of their feature songs. 

 

Be sure to check in next week to learn the latest on Team RSM and the 2017 RSM Classic.

Share the Love.

Now in its fourth year, RSM’s Birdies Fore Love program is a giving platform tied to The RSM Classic. Each year, RSM makes a difference for at-risk youth through Birdies Fore Love, thanks to stellar participation from its partners, principals and employees, gifts from clients and friends, and a generous match provided by the RSM US Foundation.

The RSM US Foundation will be providing a match of up to $500,000 for funds raised by Birdies Fore Love for this year's tournament, provided RSM meets its regional fundraising, partner participation and employee participation goals. These funds will be distributed among Birdies Fore Love charities.

Through Birdies Fore Love, RSM offices commit to raising funds for local charities aligned with the missions of the RSM US Foundation and Davis Love Foundation. In 2016, the program raised almost $1.5 million for 72 charities nationwide where RSM’s employees live and work. The strong fundraising through Birdies Fore Love, coupled with proceeds from the tournament, brought the 2016 total donation to more than $2 million, and the program total to more than $7 million.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Simply make your donation using this form or online. Your donation is applied to the charity you select, and your donation is tax deductible as a charitable contribution. You also have the option of entering the “Guess the Birdies” contest for a chance to win the grand prize, which will be awarded to the individual who guesses the correct number of birdies during competitive rounds, Thurs., Nov. 16 – Sun., Nov. 19 of The RSM Classic. If no one guesses the correct number of birdies, the grand prize will be awarded to the individual who is closest without going over. Additional contest rules: Ties will be decided by a random drawing. All entries must be received on the official donation form or online by Fri., Oct. 13, 2017. Only one birdie guess per contestant is allowed. Participants must be 18 years of age or older to participate. No donation is required to participate in the “Guess the Birdies” contest.  For complete rules and regulations, visit here.

If you’d like to help at-risk youth in the areas of education, hunger, housing or health, please consider donating to Birdies Fore Love (Donation Form or Donate Online).

In Team RSM news, the Barracuda Championship tees off this week in Reno, Nevada. Team RSM members Davis Love III and Dru Love are playing, along with past RSM Classic winners Ben Crane (2011), Tommy Gainey (2012) and Chris Kirk (2013). Below are their tee times for today (Thurs., Aug. 3):

 

PLAYER	TEE NO.	TEE TIME (PT)
Ben Crane	10	7:00 a.m.
Tommy Gainey	1	7:22 a.m.
Chris Kirk	1	7:44 a.m.
Davis Love III	1	12:44 p.m.
Dru love	10	1:50 p.m.

Best of luck to these guys this week!

Check back next week to learn the latest on all things related to Team RSM and The RSM Classic (Nov. 13-19, 2017).