Golf Tournament raises record sum for UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital Foundation

The UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital Foundation returned to Canasawacta Country Club on Friday, June 6 for its popular fundraising golf tournament, now in its 26th year.

According to organizers, this year’s event drew record numbers – 148 golfers making up a total of 37 teams and more than 30 volunteers, plus a larger number of sponsors than ever before. Together, they helped raise more than $55,000 for the hospital foundation.

“This event is more than about golf – it’s truly an opportunity for us to celebrate the connection between our caregivers and the patients and community we serve,” said CMH Foundation Executive Director Melissa Stagnaro.

“We are so fortunate to have generous sponsors, engaged golfers and dozens of volunteers who believe in what we do, and come out to support us every year. This year, they really blew us away.”

According to Stagnaro, this year’s sponsor board consisted of a long list of area business and organizations including Compass Healthcare, Chianis + Anderson Architects, NBT Bank & NBT Insurance, Preferred Mutual, Johnson Controls, Electron Coil, LeChase Construction, LaBella Engineering, Blueox, Hearth Financial Partners and more.

“We love that they feel so connected to our hospital and choose to be a part of this tournament,” she said.

Stagnaro also gave a special shout out to the nearly three dozen volunteers who generously gave their time to the event.

“They are so passionate in their support of our hospital and foundation. They truly go all out for us,” she said.

How does the hospital foundation’s tournament continue to grow when so many similar events have waned in popularity over the years? Stagnaro credits the energy and creativity of Garry Root, who has chaired the thriving tournament for much of the last decade.

“I think this is one of the best tournaments because we’re very engaged with our players and keep the tournament moving and lively,” Root said. “We always have a few cool games and things to pique the players’ interests, along with raising just a little more money for the Foundation.”

Root’s special touch is working. Not only did this year’s tournament set a new fundraising record, according to Stagnaro, it was so popular that they ended up turning away a number of teams including several consisting of CMH and UHS employees.

To that end, Root and his golf committee have decided to host a second “CMH Family & Friends” tournament at on Saturday, September 20. Registration materials will soon be available.

To see more photos, including team pictures, from the 2025 Chenango Memorial Hospital Foundation Golf Tournament, visit www.facebook.com/ChenangoMemorial and follow the Chenango Memorial Hospital Foundation Facebook page.

The Chenango Memorial Hospital Foundation was established in 1995 and is focused on facilitating charitable giving that supports the hospital’s mission of service to the greater Chenango community. For more information, visit www.nyuhs.org/cmh-foundation.