Guest
post by Andre Wells, senior associate – technology and managing consulting with
McGladrey LLP, the nation’s leading
provider of assurance, tax and consulting services focused on the middle
market. Andre 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 his involvement in the
charitable aspect of this year’s McGladrey Classic.
I
was excited to be chosen as the winner of the trip to The McGladrey Classic…but
the excitement of being chosen pales in the light of actually being
here. Every moment I’ve experienced up until writing this post has far
exceeded the last. I have no doubt that the good times will continue. However,
I really should start from the beginning.
When
the driver picked me up at the airport, I was already excited. I handed
over my bags and hopped into the car with the energy of a kid headed to the
candy store or an amusement park. Imagine that same kid watching the mile
markers and street signs and counting down the miles. After about 20
minutes into the hour-long trip, I pulled out my laptop and logged into
work. I did this not so much because I’m a workaholic, but purely to avoid
asking, “Are we there yet? How ‘bout now? Now? No? How
‘bout now?” all the way along the ride. The kid in me was on Cloud Nine. fter
answering a few emails, I quickly found myself back to reality for a brief
moment. I say, “a brief moment” because just as my proverbial feet
touched back down, I saw it—A HUGE billboard on the side of the highway
advertising the fifth annual McGladrey Classic! At that moment, I shot THROUGH
cloud nine and right into outer space. Now not only was I excited, but also so
proud to be a member of the McGladrey team and the lucky winner of such an
amazing opportunity. I grinned from ear to ear for the rest of the
drive to Sea Island.
Arriving
on the island began the next level of excitement. Being originally from
Chicago, living most of my adult life in Southern California and travelling
from one busy city to the next for work, that this part of Georgia is a brand
new experience for me. The bridges, highways and byways connecting one
area of marsh to the next seemed to stretch for miles. Osprey, cranes and
other birds indigenous to the area were a beautiful sight. However, my
favorite sight had to be the ”Terrapin Crossing” sign posted as you make your
way into the town. Now THAT’S something you don’t see in
California. I contend with pedestrians, squirrels, dogs, deer and the
occasional skunk…but this was a literal sign to me that I wasn’t in Cali
anymore. Welcome to Sea Island, where the only traffic you might see
probably has something to do with a turtle in the road!
While
there was much beauty on our way to the resort, nothing made a bigger
impression on me than the small streets lined with majestic oak trees draped in
Spanish moss. The canopy of outstretched branches and moss (what locals
refer to as “The Avenue of the Oaks”) marks the entrance into The Lodge –
top-notch resort with a charming old-world look. Pulling up to the resort
filled me with awe. Everything about The Cloister said, “Welcome to
Southern Comfort.” I could write pages and pages trying to describe the
character, charm and beauty of the grounds but a picture is worth a thousand
words…and I hope you are able to see some of the stunning photos of the
grounds.
After
spending a little time in my room, I headed over to an evening reception for
clients and potential clients. I’ll admit, I was a little intimidated when I
arrived. Seeing McGladrey Managing Partner and CEO Joe Adams and other
McGladrey leadership team members in person (after seeing his pictures and
hearing them via conference calls) was a treat. My brain began to swim with
names and titles and practice groups and regions before I had even made my
first introduction. Heart-racing, palms sweaty…I searched the room for a
familiar face. Then Terri Andrews, the firm’s national public relations
director, found me. Her smiling face and outstretched hand calmed
everything. After a few introductions and a whirlwind photo shoot –
including a picture of me with PGA TOUR Professional and Team McGladrey Member
Zach Johnson, I was no longer lost and no longer panicked. I felt like the
luckiest guy in the world to be a part of such a great group of people coming
together for a great cause.
While
Golf is the overarching theme of the event, the core of The McGladrey Classic
and Birdies Fore Love is about stewardship - which is also one of
McGladrey’s core values. And what better way to give back than by focusing on
charitable organizations that support families and children, the focus of The
McGladrey Classic. Stewardship to me is our duty to our clients, to our
communities, to each other and our world at large to manage and care for
resources in a way that ensures future access to those resources. Whether
it be a safer place for children or much-needed essentials for entire families,
I am beyond proud to be a part of a family of professionals committed to giving
back. Above all the excitement, beauty, history and memorable moments on
my first day on Sea Island, winning this trip has brought me in contact with a
deeper and richer experience of stewardship and family--And for that, I’m the
luckiest man on the island!
