What an incredible weekend we had at our UMPS CARE Charities 20th Golf Classic!
Thank you to everyone who golfed, sponsored, donated and volunteered to make our Pre-Event Social and Golf Classic such a tremendous success!
We had a lot to celebrate as this year marks our 20th anniversary. The charity began two decaes ago as a grassroots effort with some Major League Baseball Umpires running philanthropic events to support umpires who had fallen on hard times financially due to labor negotiations and another group of umpires organizing giveback programs to bring kids to MLB games and to deliver Build-A-Bear joy to children in hospitals. The programs merged in 2006, officially becoming UMPS CARE Charities.
The celebrations started on Friday with our pre-event social, sponsored by John and Jennifer Dehan and Call The Game, a Kansas-based umpire association. We honored MLB Umpire Marvin Hudson and his Appalachian League umpire partner Samuel Dearth who created our ticket and hospital programs. We also honored MLB Umpire Supervisor Larry Young and UMPS CARE chairman Gary Darling for getting the charity off the ground. In addition, we honored longtime volunteers Staci Marquez, Tina Barrett and Cheri Darling for their countless hours of hard work and of dedication to our charity with our All-Heart Awards. We also gave a shout out to MLB Umpire Supervisor Jim Reynolds and his wife, Deanna, who have given so much to this charity over the years but were unable to attend.
We even shared a proclamation from the City of Phoenix which announced January 24, 2026, as UMPS CARE Charities Day!
(L to R) Marvin Hudson, Staci Marquez, Cheri Darling and Gary Darling at our Pre-Event Social)
From when it’s started to where it is now, I would just have to go, ‘Wow.’
(Above) The 2026 MLB Umpire staff signed this poster to celebrate our 20th Anniversary! We are proud to share that every MLB Umpire crew has participated in the charity through our programs, events and as donors.
The event included about 20 active members of the Major League Baseball Umpire staff, and three umpires – Mike Muchlinski, Dan Iassogna and UMPS CARE President D.J. Reyburn – participated in a fun Q&A with our nearly 120 guests. The event was held at The Foothils Golf Club, and guests enjoyed the newly renovated Bunker bar, complete with golf simulators.
(Above R to L) MLB Umpires D.J. Reyburn, Mike Muchlinski and Dan Iassogna participated in a great Q&A with our guests. Photos by J.J. Digos @JDigosPhoto on Instagram
The next day was spent on the links, and although rain was predicted all week, we could not have had more perfect weather. The course was in fanatastic shape, and even before sunrise, our volunteers and the golf course staff had the facility in amazing condition to get the party started. Shout out to Foothills General Manager Jeremy Strauss and Scott Starmer and their crew for all of their hard work!
Drone photos by Ryan Barmore @ryan_b_more on Instagram
The day was filled with fun on the course, with our annual Vegas and hospitality holes (with Cheri Darling’s homemade cookies, of course). Special thanks to Calling for Christ (Closest to the Pin sponsor), the Arizona Diamondbacks and D’Backs Give Back (Longest Drive sponsor) and Sanderson Ford (Hole in One Sponsor). We also want to thank our Grand Slam sponsors, Tito’s and LALO Tequila, and our banquet sponsor Ump Attire.
