Upstate Towsley Pro-Am
Where CNY PGA Pros & Amateurs Team Up & Tee Off!
2026 Recap
Upstate Towsley Pro-Am breaks records raising more than $262,000 to support Friend in Deed
For 50 years, the Upstate Foundation has helped turn donor generosity into meaningful impact for patients, families, students and programs at Upstate and for community health and well-being.
The 42nd annual Towsley Pro-Am, held on Aug. 31 at the Turning Stone Resort Casino, proved another powerful example of that legacy in action, bringing together IBEW and NECA chapters, labor unions from across the region, corporations, and community partners to raise more than $262,000 to support Friend in Deed.
Friend in Deed is the annual fund for Upstate University Hospital. It provides funding for vital programs, services and unmet patient needs identified by Upstate physicians, nurses and other health care professionals. The fund helps provide resources that can make a meaningful difference in a patient’s experience and help bridge needs that may otherwise go unmet due to a lack of financial resources.
“This year’s Towsley Pro-Am was a wonderful example of what can happen when a community comes together around a shared commitment to helping others with purpose and passion,” said Julie Simms, senior director of development and campaign management at the Upstate Foundation. “As we celebrate 50 years of philanthropy, we are incredibly grateful for our longtime partnership with IBEW Local 43, NECA Finger Lakes Chapter and the PGA of CNY. Their leadership, along with a dedicated team of volunteers, makes events like the Towsley Pro-Am possible.”
IBEW Local 43 and NECA Finger Lakes Chapter have served as the tournament’s presenting sponsor for decades. As the longest and largest pro-am golf tournament in the region, teams at Shenendoah were paired with CNY PGA professionals, while foursomes at Kaluhyat enjoyed a separate tournament experience, bringing together golfers of all skill levels for a day of fun, fellowship and philanthropy. The event carries forward a tradition spanning more than four decades and has generated more than $2 million to support programs, projects and patients at Upstate Medical University.
“Every year, we see firsthand what the Towsley Pro-Am means to the Upstate community,” said Alan Marzullo, business manager, IBEW Local 43 and tournament co-chair. “We are grateful to the loyal sponsors who have been faithful in their support over the years and celebrate 18 new sponsors who pushed us past an ambitious $250,000 goal. Because of the generosity of many, we are making a meaningful difference to patients assisted by the Friend in Deed fund.”
The event honors the legacy of tournament namesake Bill Towsley, a former IBEW Local 43 business manager, Community General Hospital Board member, and devoted volunteer, who helped shape the event’s enduring mission. The 2026 tournament also coincided with the Upstate Foundation’s 50th anniversary and the CNY PGA’s centennial anniversary, adding another special milestone to an event built on decades of partnership and generosity.
To learn more about Friend in Deed or make a contribution, please visit upstatefoundation.org/friendindeed.
CNY’s Largest & Longest Running Pro-Am
The Upstate Foundation’s 42nd Annual Upstate Towsley Pro-Am tees off on Monday, August 31, 2026 at the venue it calls home, the Turning Stone Resort Casino. Teams will enjoy a premier golf experience at either Shenendoah or Kaluhyat both offering pristine conditions, stunning scenery and amenities beyond compare.
Two Unique Golf Experiences
Towsley’s unique format is what makes it special and memorable. As is tradition, morning and afternoon flights will be offered at Shenendoah where sponsored foursomes will be paired with CNY PGA pros. Kaluhyat will offer an exclusive experience in the morning for teams of four or five golfers – your choice – followed by lunch and the Kaluhyat award ceremony.
“It is great to see the connection that our PGA pros have with the teams they are paired with. The comradery is apparent as they cheer for a great shot, share golf tips and enjoy a meal together. Whether you golf at Shenendoah or Kaluhyat, this tourment is the perfect combination of playing a game we all love and supporting a mission we believe in.” – Dylan Plis, Tournament Director, CNY PGA
Towsley Pro-Am Impact
For more than four decades, the Upstate Towsley Pro-Am has supported programs and projects at Upstate Medical University totaling more than $2 million. This year’s tournament will benefit the Upstate Foundation’s Friend in Deed fund, an important source of funding for vital programs and services, and unmet patient needs at Upstate University Hospital and Upstate Community Hospital. These are needs identified by those who care for the patients – doctors, nurses and other health care professionals – and their desire to make the patient experience as positive as possible. Because of your sponsorship, Friend in Deed will have a greater impact on Upstate programs and patients in ways that make a genuine difference.
Central New York’s longest running and largest Pro-Am tournament celebrates the Upstate Foundation’s 50th Anniversary, the CNY PGA’s Centennial Anniversary and pay’s tribute to the tournament’s namesake, Bill Towsley. Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor and Tournament Partner who continue to serve as loyal leaders and dedicated partners:
Team Up & Tee Off at Towsley…
- A choice of two premier golf courses featuring world-class amenities, premium hospitality and scenic views
- Unlimited complimentary snacks and beverages all day
- Complimentary bag service, driving range, and a commemorative gift for each golfer
- On-course contests
- An opportunity to network on the greens instead of the office
- Delicious lunch and dinner buffets featuring award recognition ceremonies
- An array of auction and raffle items to attract your attention
- Overnight accommodations are available at a discounted rate