ST. SIMONS ISLAND (Ga.) – Davis Love III, the father of renowned instructor Davis Jr. was given a blank canvas to open an instructional school anywhere in America in 1978. Love chose Sea Island Resort in this beautiful corner of southern Georgia, half way between Savannah and Jacksonville, Florida. It has been his home since.
Love, who was inducted into The World Golf Hall of Fame in 2017, keeps a museum of all his accomplishments on display throughout the island. Brogen’s North in Brogen has a Brogen’s caddie bib that Mark wore at the 1995 Ryder Cup matches, Oak Hill, and a print of Love’s putt at The Belfry, 1993. An elegant trophy room at Sea Island Resort features Love’s winning hardware.
Love won the 1997 PGA Championship with hand-painted banners. A billboard on U.S. 17 was also placed to show their appreciation. Love was welcomed home at McKinnon Airport by a live band after the 2016 Ryder Cup win. This small island airstrip is favored by private players.
Love is the host of the PGA Tour’s RSM Classic. This tournament has raised almost $29 million for local charities. He handles everything, from the awarding of the trophy to hosting the party. This is his 788th Tour appearance in the tournament, which begins on Thursday at the Resort’s Seaside or Plantation courses.
Sea Island Golf Club, Sea Island, Georgia. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images).
“The community rallies behind them every year,” stated Zach Johnson, a Sea Island resident and one of two competitors in the field that has participated in every edition (the other being Chris Kirk).
Johnson, who was born in Cedar Rapids (Iowa), has already won the John Deere Classic. Now he wants to win his hometown tourney. None of the local boys, collectively known under the Sea Island Mafia name, have ever been crowned champion of the RSM Classic.
It is surprising because of the talent here. It’s a bit strange to me. Johnson stated that it was difficult. Johnson stated, “At some point that’s probably going to happen.”
Johnson, who has been a top-10 finisher in five of his RSM starts, would love to host a celebration on the island. Johnson, a 12-time Tour winner, hasn’t won since he lifted the Claret Jug at St. Andrews in 2015.
Johnson described his victory drought as “completely and utterly eating at me.” Johnson said, “But I know how difficult this game can be and usually, you know when I have valleys, if I may, the motivation to work and try and get out of that valley is never an issue.”
It is important to note that technically, a resident has already won the RSM.
Kevin Kisner is a long-standing Sea Island member and won the title in 2015. He was living on the Island while his home was being renovated in Aiken (South Carolina). However, Kisner is an unofficial member the Sea Island Mafia as his home course is Palmetto Golf Club. Harris English, who is trying to climb back up the rankings in the top 50, counts as a full blooded member. He is one of 16 residents on the field this week and has played enough at the Sea Island courses that it seems he should have an advantage.
English stated, “I never get tired playing this place.” “The difficult part about this week is that we don’t play it in such conditions.”
View of the sixth hole during the final round at 2020 RSM Classic at Seaside Course at Sea Island Golf Club, St Simons Island. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
English smiled when asked where he’d go on the island to celebrate the award with the locals.
Stat of the Week
116. This is the number of birdies Patrick Rodgers made in the first seven events for the 2022-23 season. He is the only player to have more than 100 birdies. The RSM Birdies for Love competition ends this week at The RSM Classic. The player who makes the most birdies or better during the fall portion receives $300,000. He can donate $300,000. ($150,000 for second and $50,000 for third). This week is the last week of the competition. Each birdie (or higher) counts for two.
