18th Annual McKenzie Golf Scramble a Great Success!

Full Auxiliary Photo:

Back row: Patti O’Connor, Nancy Kaufman, Karen Guibord, Jo Derr, Emma Navarro (Co-President), Carol Mitchell

Front row:  Mary Sweet, Lynn Fuller, Shari Phipps (Treasurer), Kelsey Loding (Co-President), Sherry Ulrich, Erny Doerr, Nina Barnett

Ball drop Photo:  

Back row: Lynn fuller, Nancy Kaufman, Jo Derr, Carol Mitchell, Erny Doerr, Karen Guibord, Nina Barnett

Front row:  Mary Sweet, Shari Phipps (Treasurer), Kelsey Loding (Co-President), JoAnn Stoutenburg, Al Stoutenburg, Emma Navarro (Co-President) Sherry Ulrich, Patti O’Connor

Auxiliary Members not pictured: Rebecca Cambridge, Phyillis Chambers (Vice President), Audrey Essenmacher, Donna Foster, Margaret Jensen (Secretary), Merrily Loding, Margaret Rhead

The McKenzie Auxiliary Golf Scramble, which took place on Thursday, June 6, again neared record numbers with both sponsors and teams alike. When everything was tallied, the event raised almost $34,000 in proceeds for the McKenzie Health System Auxiliary.

For the seventh year, the event featured a Golf Ball Drop, where Bender Builders dropped golf balls from a Skytrak before the event’s shotgun start. The excitement mounted as golf balls poured down the custom-made massive putter shaft and out through the head of the club to determine this year’s winner. Long-time community member Al Stoutenburg won the $1,000 cash prize and generously donated it back to McKenzie proclaiming, ““it feels good to support the best hospital around”.

“We have an extraordinary team of volunteers who dedicate months to preparing for this event,” said Emma Navarro, McKenzie Auxiliary Co-President. “It’s always thrilling to start the day and see the smiling faces of those who come to support McKenzie and enjoy the fantastic day of golf and activities we’ve organized for them. Having another outstanding year is wonderful!”

“The McKenzie Auxiliary has been a force for fundraising for decades and continues to grow in strength,” shares Steve Barnett, President and CEO at McKenzie Health System. “The impact they have made on our organization and, most importantly, in the care of patients right here in our community is remarkable.”

“We want to express our deepest appreciation to this year’s sponsors,” shared Kelsey Loding, McKenzie Auxiliary Co-President. “These businesses, organizations, and individuals really make a huge difference in the success of our event.”

This year’s sponsors included Augusta National Sponsors Jensen Bridge & Supply Company, Moulton Financial Group; Pebble Beach sponsors Covenant HealthCare; Pinehurst sponsor The Hamed Family; Hole-in-One sponsor McKenzie Health System Auxiliary; Golf Ball Drop sponsor Bender Builders, LLC; Golfapalooza sponsor Kohler’s Propane Company; and dinner sponsors Ball Equipment, Integrated Systems Consultants, and Stifel Investment Services – Steven B. Disser, David A. Thomas, Matthew S. Turnbull, Golda M. Dimon; Beverage Cart sponsors Elite Overhead Doors, Inc. and Stoliker’s Custom Designs; Lunch sponsors Culligan Water Conditioning of Marlette, DQ Grill & Chill, Johnstons Meats, ShineWater, LLC, McKenzie

Auxiliary Members; Bloody Mary Bar sponsor Bender Builders, LLC; and Drop Zone sponsor A&D Home Health and Hospice Care, Inc.

The event included a special VFW and American Legion Flag Ceremony including the national anthem being sung by Abigail Thorp.

“We are also grateful to Woodland Hills Golf Club for hosting us for 18 years, those who participated in the Flag Ceremony, Auxiliary members, Jensen Bridge & Supply Company for bringing in additional carts, Brown’s Express, and for our many other sponsors, donors, and of course the teams who competed for the winning titles,” added Loding.

Four-person teams enjoyed eighteen holes of golf with opportunities to join in other contests along the way, including a “hole-in-one” contest, sponsored by the McKenzie Auxiliary, and a “Golfapalooza” sponsored by Kohler Propane.

Winners of this year’s scramble are:

· Ladies: Julie Stoliker, Sandy Miller, Penny Tubbs, and Stephanie Gobie

· Men: Jim Essad, Jim Williams, Scott Campbell, and Brian Wood

· Mixed: Kelsey Loding, Tabitha Jensen, Casey Jensen, and Kevin Calahan

Community members can mark their calendars for the 19th annual McKenzie Golf Scramble, scheduled for June 5, 2025.

All proceeds from the annual Golf Scramble and other Auxiliary fundraising efforts are donated to McKenzie Health System. Founded in 1967, the MHS Auxiliary is comprised of individuals that volunteer thousands of hours. Members donate their time and talents for the benefit of the hospital, working in the gift shop, providing support at community events, and coordinating fundraising opportunities. For more information about volunteering, contact Nina Barnett, MHS Auxiliary Liaison, at 810-648-6127 or nbarnett@mckenziehealth.org. For membership information, contact Lynn Fuller, MHS Auxiliary Membership Chair, at 810-648-6150 (ext. 366) or lfuller@mckenziehealth.org