Julio Ugaz to be Honored with MGWA's Mary Bea Porter Award

JULIO UGAZ TO BE HONORED

WITH MGWA'S MARY BEA PORTER AWARD

 

Elmsford, NY (May 24, 2024) --- Julio Ugaz, longtime member of the Tamarack Country Club kitchen staff, has been chosen to receive the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association’s Mary Bea Porter Award.  The honor will be given at the MGWA’s 71st National Awards Dinner on Wednesday, October 11th at Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Briarcliff Manor, New York.

 

This prestigious award shines a light on an individual or organization in golf who, through a heroic or humanitarian act, saves or betters the lives of others.  It is named after former LPGA Tour pro Mary Bea Porter King, who, during a 1988 LPGA tournament qualifier, left the course mid-round and saved the life of a drowning 3-year-old boy at a home adjacent to a fairway.  Last year’s honoree, Pete Jordan, was recognized for donating a kidney to his friend Chris Simon, a co-worker at Knickerbocker Country Club. Other past Mary Bea Porter Award recipients include Morgan Hoffmann, Lorena Ochoa, Greg Norman, and Major Dan Rooney.  

 

In a classic case of being in the right place at the right time, Julio Ugaz was replenishing the Sunday buffet table at Tamarack CC when the typical weekend brunch turned into a life-and-death event.  A female member tapped Julio on the shoulder and indicated that she was choking.  There was nobody else in the room at the time, so Mr. Ugaz immediately began performing the Heimlich maneuver (as he had been taught during training provided by the Club).  “She looked very scared and I was very scared,” Ugaz said. “I knew she was in trouble and what to do.”  The food in her throat quickly became dislodged, and the member owed her life to the 62-year-old server.

 

Ironically, the member had been a nurse and had performed the Heimlich maneuver on others many times, but she knew better than to risk passing out by trying to help herself.  Although she wanted to remain anonymous – she didn’t even tell her family about the incident when she returned to the table – word finally got out a few days later.  The member told Tamarack’s GM Brian Gillespie that Julio’s Heimlich maneuver was “as perfect as she’s ever witnessed or done,” even though he had never performed it before.  Ugaz, who also hadn’t mentioned the incident to anyone, was brought into a Board meeting and recognized with a standing ovation.

 

"We are very proud to highlight Julio for his quick and effective action at a time of true distress,” said MGWA President Brian Crowell. “His life-saving performance is an inspiration to all of us, and a shining reminder of the importance of training and preparation.  We also thank & congratulate Tamarack for providing their staff with CPR and emergency training...we're hopeful that all facilities are following that same protocol." 

 

The MGWA has celebrated the game of golf and promoted golf journalism since its inception in 1952.  Each year, it honors the sport’s champions and contributors at its largest fundraiser, the National Awards Dinner.  This highly anticipated event is supported by golf’s leading organizations and corporate supporters, Met Area clubs and club leaders, as well as local and national golf media. Through the Dinner and other events, the MGWA has raised millions of dollars for the Association’s beneficiaries, which include Caddie Scholarship programs in the Metropolitan New York area, the MGA Foundation, and the Dave Marr Journalism Scholarship at Columbia University. 

 

 

For tickets to the Dinner, click here.  For more information, contact Robin Sauerhaft, MGWA Executive Administrator, at: rsauerhaft@mgagolf.org.