Page 18 - South Mississippi Living - February, 2022

COAST NOTE
Two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer attempts to sink a long putt on the 9th green at the Rapiscan Systems Classic.
The Boys are Back in Town
story and photo courtesy of Rapiscan Systems Classic
The Rapiscan Systems Classic is finally returning to Coastal or two from the best players on TOUR.
Mississippi after a two-year hiatus, and with its return are some If a behind-the-scenes experience is more up your alley, the
exciting new changes. For the first time in tournament history, the PGA TOUR Champions event will be played at Grand Bear Golf Club, March 28 – April 3.
Designed by World Golf Hall of Fame member, Jack Nicklaus, Grand Bear Golf Club promises to provide a fresh and challenging test for all players in the field in 2022. In addition to a brand new host course, some of golf’s biggest names will be making their first ever professional appearance on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The highest ranked among them in the Charles Schwab Cup standings is Ernie Els, who was slated to make his Coastal Mississippi debut in 2020, until the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of numerous PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions events.
This thrilling “block party” of a professional golf tournament has so much to offer, even away from the golf course. On Thursday, March 31, Biloxi’s White Pillars will be hosting a five-course chefs dinner, CHIP & CHOP, which is a night you won’t want to miss. Five James Beard Award nominated chefs from throughout the Southeast will be putting their skills on display and highlighting the signature cuisine and Southern hospitality that Coastal Mississippi is famous for.
Businesses looking for client entertainment and business development opportunities are also in luck! Playing with
a PGA TOUR Champions professional in one of the tournament’s two pro-am outings is the kind of once-in-a- lifetime chance that most golfers dream of participating in. There are a few teams left for anyone looking to learn a thing
Rapiscan Systems Classic is currently accepting volunteer registration for this spring’s tournament. Volunteers have some of the coolest jobs during event week, like shuttling players around the course, keeping score on each hole, assisting with the Golf Channel broadcast, and so much more! Volunteers also receive official tournament gear that is not available to the general public.
In addition to their commitment to providing a world-class golf experience for fans in attendance, Rapiscan Systems has also committed a significant amount of resources to giving back to the Coastal Mississippi community. Since becoming the title sponsor in 2018, the tournament’s Birdies for Charity program has helped raise over $3 million for South Mississippi nonprofits.
As a leader in the security and screening technology industry, Rapiscan Systems’ annual “Accelerate” security summit is held during tournament week and boasts over 1,000 attendees each year. Many of those attendees spend multiple nights in Coastal Mississippi hotel properties, thus contributing to an economic impact of over $16 million this tournament provides on an annual basis.
For more information on CHIP & CHOP, volunteer registration, pro-am experiences, Birdies for Charity
or the “Accelerate” security summit, please visit RapiscanSystemsClassic.com, and stay tuned for information on ticket sales. We look forward to seeing you at Grand Bear Golf Club March 28 – April 3!
18 | February 2022
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