Adventist Health Ukiah Valley’s Annual Golf Tournament Swings Past Pandemic for a Good Cause

Monday, June 1, 2020 (Ukiah, CA) -- While the annual Adventist Health Ukiah Valley Golf Tournament may look a little different this year, the spirit remains the same – teeing up for a good cause and rallying together to support healthcare in the community.

The hospital is encouraging golfers to tee off in a socially-distanced way and help them fundraise for a worthy cause. Instead of a single-day event, this year’s golf tournament will be a socially-distanced event, with golfers forming their teams and playing during a 10-day period between June 5 to June 14.

Allyne Brown, philanthropy director, and Steve Miller, tournament chair say they were determined to continue the tradition and not let a pandemic stop the fun or the spirit of supporting a good cause.

“With the pandemic, it has changed the way that we can fundraise and instead of having these face-to-face opportunities to mingle with our partners in the community and our donors we’ve come up with this unique method of playing and having a golf tournament and still being able to help our hospital,” explains Brown.

“Now more than ever, we are grateful for our healthcare workers and realize how much we depend on our healthcare organizations to care for our community. It’s important that we support their work, because they continue to serve our community, whether during a pandemic and all other times when we need them,” adds Miller.

Brown says the hospital has partnered with the community throughout its 60-year history to continue to improve its ability to care for the community. “Thanks to our generous donors, associates, physicians and community, we opened a new state of the Emergency Department and ICU in 2018 which has significantly improved our ability to care for our friends and neighbors. Already our patients are reaping the benefits and so many lives have been saved because the best technology is available locally. We hope the community comes together once again to help support our hospital so we can continue to improve the care we provide.”

Last year’s golf tournament raised over $32,000 which allowed the hospital to purchase new 3D diagnostic mammography equipment.

This year’s socially-distanced golf tournament will raise funds for much-needed upgrades to the hospital’s operating rooms. “We have an exceptional surgery team who has provided service and care for so many of our friends and neighbors in this space. Their patients deserve equipment and space that matches their passion and exceptional level of care,” explains Jason Wells, president for Adventist Health Ukiah Valley.

Funds raised will help upgrade operating room tables in the surgery department, as well us add a much-needed ultrasound machine, dedicated to surgery patients. This critical technology will aid surgeons in specialties such as cardiology, urology, pulmonology, women’s breast health, pain management, anesthesia and general surgery.

To participate, golfers must register online between May 29 and June 14. Entry fees are $100 per player, which include green fees, golf carts, a breakfast treat and lunch. Participants can then book their tee time for their foursome by calling the Ukiah Valley Golf Course at 707-467-2832 and play anytime between June 5 and June 14 following social distancing protocols set by Mendocino County and the Ukiah Valley Golf Course. Teams of four can play any time during the two-week period and is open to all Mendocino County residents.

Golfers can register online here.

This year’s event is generously sponsored by Savings Bank of Mendocino County, Jones Lang La Salle, Selzer Realty Loans and Investments, Schat’s Bakery and Café, Dr. Laura Winkle and Steve Miller and Family. For more information, call Allyne Brown at 707-463-7623 or email browna2@ah.org