MMRI Raised Over $100,000 at Fourth Annual Golf Classic to Support Heart Disease Research

On Thursday, August 27, 2026, Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI) welcomed golfers, community members, and supporters to the Yahnundasis Golf Club in New Hartford, New York, for its fourth annual Golf Classic in support of cardiovascular research. The event, presented by The Fountainhead Group, raised over $100,000 to support MMRI’s research advancing understanding, treatment, and prevention of heart disease.

The Golf Classic was held in memory of a dear friend and supporter, Sal Raspante, who passed away on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2023, from a heart attack. Sal’s wife, Enessa Carbone, and sister, Jackie Romano, chaired the event in his memory, bringing the community together to celebrate his vibrant spirit, generous heart, and love of life while supporting a cause with a lasting impact. The event closed with a “Sal”ebration featuring a SALsa bar, tequila flights, food, DJ entertainment, and an evening centered around friendship and community.

“This fundraiser is a special way to celebrate everything Sal loved: golf, friends, family, and bringing people together, all while raising money for a cause that means so much to us,” said Jackie Romano. “We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our community and everyone who helps make this event such a meaningful tribute to Sal.”

According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. In 2023, 915,973 people in the U.S. died from cardiovascular disease, an average of one person every 34 seconds. Through innovative cardiovascular research, MMRI scientists are working to better understand heart disease and develop new approaches to its prevention and treatment.

“The continued support for this event is a powerful reflection of our community’s commitment to advancing heart disease research,” said Maria I. Kontaridis, Ph.D., Executive Director and Gordon K. Moe Professor and Chair of Biomedical Research and Translational Medicine and Director of Research at MMRI. “Every person who participates, sponsors, or supports the Golf Classic and ‘Sal’ebration is helping our scientists pursue discoveries that can lead to new treatments and healthier lives. We are incredibly grateful to honor Sal’s memory in a way that brings people together for this important cause.”

2026 Golf Classic Winners:
First Place: John Romano/The Fountainhead Group
Longest Drive: Kourtney Kupiec
Closest to the Pin: Adam Dekker

MMRI extends its sincere gratitude to the sponsors whose generous support made the fourth annual Golf Classic and “Sal”ebration Fiesta possible.

2026 Golf Classic and “Sal”ebration Fiesta Sponsors:

The Fountainhead Group
Save of the Day
Central New York Cardiology
Nascentia Health
Cliffs Local Market
Linda Romano & Russ Petralia
Lupus & Allied Diseases Association Inc (LADA)
Steve Lennon & Company Jewelers
First Source Federal Credit Union
MVHS
Enessa Carbone and the Carbone Family
Passalacqua Associates
Volo’s Auto Supply
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
PJ Green
Steet-Ponte Mazda
Mastrovito Hyundai
Slocum-Dickson Medical Group
WKTV NEWS Channel 2
A. Vitullo’s
Burrows Foundation
Done Rite Laundry
Braden Packaging
DoubleTree by Hilton Utica
Georgia Pacific Corrugated
MMRI Board of Directors
Scalzo, Zogby & Wittig, Inc.
Northland Communications
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
The Auto Specialist
David & Lisa Corasanti
Chica Celita’s Salsa
Dan & Denise O’Toole
Sentinel Media Company
Robert Morris

The media sponsors for the fourth annual MMRI Golf Classic and “Sal”ebration are PJ Green and WKTV NEWS Channel 2.