McGladrey Team Championship Local Golfers Head to Middle Atlantic Section Championship

Check Presentation - Natalie Gulbis, Sherri Haunton (Global Messenger), Roy Zeidman (Senior Vice President Special Olympics Virginia) and Tracy DeVries (Director of Partnerships Special Olympics North America)

LPGA Professional Natalie Gulbis and RSM McGladrey donate
$5K to Special Olympics Golfers donate an additional $1K

Photos Courtesy of McGladrey Team Championship

Williamsburg, VA (May 7, 2009) - Amateur golfers Hugh Cartlett, Matt McDavid and Josh Tobin are headed to the Middle Atlantic Section Championship with their victory at the recent McGladrey Team Championship Local Qualifying Event (LQE) at Governor's Land, Two Rivers Country Club in Williamsburg, VA. Special Olympics was also a winner at the event, receiving a donation of $5,000 from LPGA Professional Natalie Gulbis and an additional $1,000 from the amateur golfers.

"The McGladrey Team Championship is all about teamwork and offers a rare opportunity for amateur golfers to compete at a national level with a PGA Professional ," said Gulbis, who is also a recent Celebrity Apprentice contestant and spokesperson for RSM McGladrey's Special Olympics partnership. "I'm proud to be a member of Team McGladrey and support Special Olympics through this great Championship."

Natalie demonstrating on the putting green - Bobby Bolt and Sean Neville and their mentors look on as Natalie demonstrates

The McGladrey Team Championship is the first grass-roots amateur best-ball championship managed by The PGA of America in partnership with RSM McGladrey, the nation's fifth largest accounting, tax and business consulting firm. The Two Rivers LQE was one of more than 800 taking place across the country through September. Winners advance to Section Championships with a PGA Professional rounding out the foursome. The winning teams of 41 PGA section events advance to The National Team Championship at the renowned Pinehurst, N.C. Resort. This year, all three Team McGladrey members - LPGA Professional Natalie Gulbis, and PGA Professionals Zach Johnson and Chris DiMarco - will attend The McGladrey National Team Championship.

"The McGladrey Team Championship brings together amateur golfers and PGA professionals from across the nation, exemplifying the firm's believe that, with the right team, anything is possible," said Mitch Gorochow, partner and managing director of RSM McGladrey and host of the Two Rivers LQE. "We're thrilled that Natalie was able to join us and to support our event and Special Olympics' golf program."

During the Two Rivers event, players were given opportunities to donate to the Special Olympics golf program, which is the official charity of The McGladrey Team Championship. Players competed in "closest to pin" and "longest drive" competitions, raising nearly $1,000 for Special Olympics golfers. Closest to pin winner was Will Hershey. Matt McDavid won for the longest drive.

Local Qualifying Event Winners - Hugh Catlett, Josh Tobin, Natalie Gulbis, Matt McDavid

"I have worked closely with title sponsor RSM McGladrey over the years, and look at them as a strategic business partner," said winner Matt McDavid, who works with insurance broker Marsh & McLellan. "The McGladrey Team Championship is always a top-notch event, and is a great opportunity to spend time with accounting professionals and others in the business community. Natalie Gulbis' appearance and the presence of Special Olympics athletes made this year's event especially memorable."

Special Olympics Global Messenger Sherri Haunton addressed the group during a luncheon following the tournament. "I joined Special Olympics eight years ago," said Haunton who, in addition to golf, competes in basketball, bowling, soccer, softball and tennis through Special Olympics. "When I joined, I hardly ever spoke. Now I am a Global Messenger, which means I am an ambassador for over 8,000 Special Olympians in the state of Virginia. Special Olympics has given me the confidence to stand up and speak to groups of supporters like you."

For more information about - or to register for - The McGladrey Team Championship, or to support the Special Olympics golf program, visit PGA.com/teamchampionship.

Natalie Gulbis & Mitch Gorochow (Executive Managing Director RSM McGladrey)	Welcome Banner	Natalie Gulbis & Sherri Haunton (Special Olympics Global Messenger)
Natalie Gulbis & Sean Neville	Pairings Party - Natalie Gulbis with Grace Anne Braxton (Special Olympics golfer, gold medalist at the World Games, one of if not the best women's golfer in Special Olympics)	Natalie gives tips on putting - Natalie Gulbis and Bobby Bolt, Special Olympics golfer