Ronald McDonald House® Central and Northern Arizona raised a record $338,000 on Monday, April 20 during its 5th annual FORE the House Golf Tournament, presented by Arrowhead Superior Refrigeration Service, LLC.
The event, which took place, at Papago Golf Club, brought together nearly 130 golfers for a day of friendly competition and raising funds that enable families to stay close while navigating a child’s critical medical care while far from home.
Funds raised through the tournament help provide essential services that remove barriers for families traveling to the Phoenix area for their child’s medical care. Ronald McDonald House Central and Northern Arizona operates three Valley Houses that can serve up to 72 families per night, and one hospital-based Family Room to ensure families can stay close to their children at no cost while they receive care at nearby medical facilities.
“We’re grateful for a true community of champions that returns year after year to generate financial support to help families coping with a child’s medical crisis,” said Kerry Schulman, president and chief executive officer of Ronald McDonald House Central and Northern Arizona. “Our golfers’ generosity enables families to focus on what matters most during some of the hardest days of their lives.”
A sold-out Helicopter Ball Drop was a highlight of this year’s event. Nearly 1,500 numbered golf balls rained down from 150 feet above the practice green, with major prizes awarded to participants whose balls landed in or closest to the designated hole.
The tournament concluded with a 19th Hole Reception featuring live music, a live auction and player awards. The record-setting auction included a complete home air conditioning unit donated by American Standard and Arrowhead Superior Refrigeration Service.
A foursome from WBF Management, including Brent Bohn, Nick Beach, Nick Eliason and Ty Reoh, took first place in this year’s tournament.
“As a family-owned business, supporting families is important to us,” said Manuel Griego, owner of Arrowhead Superior Refrigeration Service, LLC. “After spending the first 14 years of my career as an in-house technician with McDonald’s, I was able to see firsthand the significant difference Ronald McDonald House makes for families when a child is critically ill or injured. We’re glad to help.”
Additional support for the tournament was provided by Platinum Sponsor The True Group and Gold Sponsor Pilkington Construction. Tournament co-chairs were Ronen Aviram, vice president and general manager of Hotel Valley Ho, and Matt Salata, vice president of business development for the Phoenix Suns.
In 2025, Ronald McDonald House Central and Northern Arizona served 1,815 families, providing 18,864 nights of rest, meals and support.
Since opening in 1985, the organization has welcomed families for more than 63,000 visits.