A Beautiful Finish to the 2014 McGladrey Classic

Guest post by Theresa Altobelli, manager – tax services – with McGladrey LLP, the nation’s leading provider of assurance, tax and consulting services focused on the middle market. Theresa is one of several of the firm’s Birdies Fore Love office leaders, who was chosen to attend The McGladrey Classic as a result of her involvement in the charitable aspect of this year’s McGladrey Classic.

The McGladrey Chalet overlooks the 9^th and 18^th holes, where a large crowd was gathered to watch the final round of The McGladrey Classic Sunday afternoon.  We, as spectators, and the players themselves, could not have asked for better weather. Spectators acknowledged each players accomplishments with a round of applause as they ended the tournament. And there was a strong sense of unity as we watched the final three players, Streb, MacKenzie and de Jonge, enter the playoff rounds. Each player had an exceptional game. What an incredible experience it was to see Robert Sterb win the 2014 McGladrey Classic, his first PGA tournament, Sunday afternoon with a four-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole (the 17^th hole)!

We remained for the presentation of the trophy to Streb by Team McGladrey Member Davis Love III on the 18^th green. This was followed by a champagne toast at The Lodge, where Davis and McGladrey Board Member Craig Radke officially congratulated the winner. 

The McGladrey Classic displays McGladrey’s core values. The event had a feeling of integrity, teamwork, respect and excellence. McGladrey’s partnership with the Davis Love Foundation and the PGA TOUR exemplifies the trusted relationships that we strive to achieve with all of our constituents. The McGladrey Classic demonstrates McGladrey’s core value of stewardship, a value that is also shared by the Davis Love Foundation and the PGA TOUR – and one
that we heard is important to clients, potential clients, guests, volunteers and others throughout the tournament.  

When you look at the golfers relationships with their caddies you see not only a trusted advisor relationship, but a partnership where they consult each other on challenges to determine the best course of action to take to reach the ultimate goal. This is a very similar relationship McGladrey has with its clients. We are our clients’ supporters and we consult with them to provide them with the expertise they need to get them to their ultimate goal of success.   

Being on Sea Island was an incredible experience. The hospitality was world-class and the island itself is absolutely beautiful. The golf courses were in pristine condition. Birdies Fore Love allowed us, as employees of the firm and as individuals, to display stewardship. And being a Birdies Fore Love winner, I had the privilege to be a part of such a wonderful event. I encourage everyone to contribute to Birdies Fore Love next year and with the five-year extension of McGladrey’s sponsorship of The McGladrey Classic through 2020, I hope that several of my McGladrey teammates have the opportunity to experience The McGladrey Classic in person.