2026 Birdie Bash

The fourth annual Play Yellow Birdie Bash was played August 11 at UNM Championship Golf Course in Albuquerque.

Sun Country Golf Foundation

Birdie Bash Tops $32,000 for UNM Children’s Hospital

Fifteen teams, 54 holes and 381 birdies. The day opened with a tee shot from one of the hospital’s Miracle Children, and the total is still climbing.

Sun Country Golf Foundation  ·  Play Yellow  ·  August 2026

The 2026 Play Yellow Birdie Bash field holds up the final total of $32,847 at UNM Championship Golf Course.
The field with the final number at UNM Championship Golf Course. Flat donations are still open, so the total has room to move.
381Birdies made
$32,847Raised so far
15Two-person teams

The first tee shot of the fourth annual Play Yellow Birdie Bash did not come from a PGA Professional. It came from Dace, one of UNM Children’s Hospital’s Miracle Children, who opened the day on August 11 at UNM Championship Golf Course in Albuquerque.

The 15 two-person teams that followed him onto the course had 54 holes ahead of them and a simple assignment: make birdies. Every team was backed by pledges from friends, family and home clubs across the Section, so each birdie carried a little more weight than usual.

By the final putt the field had made 381 of them and raised $32,847 for UNM Children’s Hospital and the Sun Country Golf Foundation.

Top Fundraising Team

The top fundraising team at the 2026 Play Yellow Birdie Bash with artwork from patients at UNM Children's Hospital.
Ryan Zonski, PGA, and Austin Wallace, PGA, center, brought in $5,064 between them, the third-highest team total in the event’s history.

Most Birdies

Alex Moores, PGA, and Luke Matteucci made the most birdies of anyone in the field over the 54 holes.

The birdie leaders at the 2026 Play Yellow Birdie Bash with artwork from patients at UNM Children's Hospital.
Alex Moores, PGA, and Luke Matteucci, center, made the most birdies over the 54-hole competition.

Who Was Out There With Them

Dace was not the only reminder of why the field was out there. Zay, another of the hospital’s Miracle Children, rode along with the golfers, as did Audri, program director for the Children’s Miracle Network program at UNM Children’s Hospital. Playing for a cause is one thing. Having that cause riding down the fairway next to you is another.

Where the Money Goes

Proceeds support the children and families served by UNM Children’s Hospital along with Sun Country Golf Foundation juniors and PGA HOPE participants. Flat donations are still open, and every dollar stays close to home.

$32,847 Raised of $40,000 and counting
Make a Donation The page stays open after the event, and the total is still moving.

UNM Children’s HospitalAbout Play YellowAbout the Foundation

The Sun Country Golf Foundation thanks its supporting partners: French Funerals & Cremations, Isleta Resort & Casino, The Office Bar & Grill, adidas, Antigua Apparel, Paradise Hills Golf Course and Digital Creations.

Interested in joining next year’s event as a partner or a participant? Contact Cory Armstrong at cory@suncountrygolfhouse.com.

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