Pops Memorial Golf Outing Raises Nearly $800,000

More than 170 golfers gathered on July 14 at the iconic Westchester Country Club in Rye, NY for the Pops Memorial Golf Outing to benefit Blythedale Children's Hospital.  Golfers, sponsors and supporters rallied amid the raindrops and raised more than $783,000 for Blythedale's innovative Day Hospital program.

The Pops Memorial Golf Outing was founded in 2013 by Stuart Dix, father of Blythedale Trustee Farrel Starker, and Michael Brown. Their shared vision of bringing friends and family together for a day of golf and to learn more about Blythedale Children's Hospital grew in 2014 with 80 golfers raising $200,000 for the children of Blythedale. In September 2014, Stuart unexpectedly passed away and his family and friends decided to carry on the event in his memory and hosted the first Stuart H. Dix Memorial Golf outing in 2015. Since its inception, this event has raised nearly $7 million dollars for programs and services benefitting the children of Blythedale.

“I don’t think you really appreciate what Blythedale has to offer until you see it first-hand and getting people there, for a tour or to spend a few minutes with the children, really opens your eyes and gives you a different sense of appreciation for what an incredible, special place it is and the unbelievable people that work there and give their time," said co-host Steven Starker. "It’s just an incredible place.”

Attendees enjoyed a beautiful dinner reception highlighted by celebrations of the day's champions on the Club's two golf courses and heartfelt remarks from Deanna Zirolnik, the mother of a former patient. Four-year-old Milana, was admitted to Blythedale's Day Hospital in 2021 for complications with feeding and speech due to her diagnosis of Pierre Robin Syndrome. Milana's condition severely affected her ability to breathe, eat, and sleep, ultimately requiring urgent jaw surgery shortly after birth. What followed was an unexpected and complex medical journey, including a rare genetic diagnosis, multiple complications, and over six additional surgeries in just her first four years of life. Deanna shared the story of her daughter's inspiring recovery and highlighted the exceptional care she received at Blythedale. 

She thanked the attendees for their support of children like Milana, and said, "As our journey continues, we know the road is uncertain and there will be obstacles ahead. As unsettling as that is to have to accept, we find comfort in knowing exactly where to turn for help. We know that Blythedale will always be a refuge for our family, and an integral part of Milana’s success."

Blythedale President and CEO Larry Levine reflected on the impact of the event, which has had such a profound impact on programs and services at the Hospital.

“It has been an extraordinary privilege to be a part of this incredibly meaningful event since its inception in 2013,” he said. “It's impossible to adequately convey the depth of my gratitude to the Starker, Brown, and Dix families. Through their tireless efforts, they have profoundly impacted the lives of countless medically fragile children and their families.
What a legacy Stu Dix and Ray Starker have left—not only for their own families, but for ours as well. On behalf of all who have benefited in countless ways from the Pops Memorial Golf Outing, I offer my heartfelt thanks to Farrel and Steven Starker, Michael and Ellen Brown, Judy Dix, Marilyn Starker, and the entire golf committee.”

For those interested in supporting the developmental needs of Blythedale's patients, a Wish List has been created by our Developmental and Support Services team. Toys may seem simple, but in a hospital setting, they become tools for healing. When you purchase a toy from our Wish List, you’re not just donating a gift—you’re helping a child reach important developmental milestones and a family feel supported and cared for. Please click here to access the Amazon Wish List, and thank you for your support of our children!

Click below for an album from the event!

Presenting Sponsors

Balyasny Asset Management, L.P.
David and Allison Blitzer 
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
Janice Michelle Foundation, Inc. 
The Kaye Family

Eagle Sponsors

Bloomberg
BraunHagey & Borden LLP
Citadel Securities
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
The Musoff/Lazar Family
Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP

Partner Sponsors

Jane and Norm Alpert
Maureen and Bruce Brickman
Michael and Ellen Brown
B. Carlin Foundation, Inc.
Jacques & Emy Cohenca Foundation, Inc. 
The Curro Family 
Judy Dix
Hildegarde D. Becher Foundation, Inc.
Randy Frankel
HS&E / David Levy
Hudson Bay Capital
Mitchell and Karen Kuflik
Robert and Karen Sobel
Leonard Potter
Rithm Capital
Ricky Sandler and Melissa Silver
Brian and Scott Sklar
Gerri and Andy Sommers
Farrel and Steven Starker
starpower LLC 
Titan Advisors
The Weisfeld Family
Wellington Management Company
Nanar and Tony Yoseloff

The POPS Memorial Golf Committee

Hosts – Steven Starker and Michael Brown
Rahul Bajaj
Rick Blank, Jr.
Jay Bozick
Joseph Curro
Gary Dix
Lawrence Dix
Andrew Friedwald
Wesley Gradone
Peter Hochfelder
Richard Jacklin
Chip Kaye
Matt Lalin
Anton LeRoy
Randall McCallum
Scott Musoff
Evan Seidenstein
Brian Sklar
Robert Sobel
Gary Spitalnik
Dean Starker

For more information about this event, please contact Special Events Coordinator Toni Marie Favata.