2026 event nets over $29,000

The goal of the 36th Annual Unity Medical Center Foundation Golf Tournament was to raise $28,000 for UMC staff education via scholarships. On a clear, sunny day in July, 93 golfers (19 teams) took to Fair Oaks Golf Course and made a huge impact on rural health care delivery.

The UMC Foundation board recently approved three scholarships for the 2026-2027 school year, which are paid using Golf Tournament proceeds. One scholarship went to Erica Samuels, who is earning a doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy. Priscilla Stark also received a scholarship as she pursues a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree. And Adora Avila is finishing up her Practical Nursing degree with plans to advance her training further. All three scholarship winners expressed their gratitude for the support.

Over the past 10 years, the UMC Foundation has awarded 10 additional scholarships, totaling over $28,000. The program has grown each year. In the years where scholarships weren’t awarded due to life circumstances, funds were given to UMC to cover staff continuing education costs, improving mammography and rehab services.

On the golf course, the competition was close as usual. In the end, the Back in Motion team—consisting of Warren Jelinek, Miles Jorde, Zach Mahoney, Aiden McLain and Derek Sundby—earned first place with an 18-hole score of 54. The Kieley Electric team took second place, while the Old National Bank team won a tie for third.

The tournament started with the fifth annual ball drop. Out of 102 numbered balls dropped on the practice green, only Ball No. 80 went in the hole, which Jess Tanke had purchased that morning.

Games on the course included poker, prize putting and the chipping contest on the driving range. The Grafton Volunteer Fire Department graciously agreed to staff the Splash Tower this year, splitting the proceeds with the UMC Foundation.

Themed apparel was also popular this year, including Team Happy Gilmore (Dr. Darin Leetun) and the UMC surgical nurses wearing t-shirts with UMC physicians on them.