St. Jude Tailgate Open Returns Sept. 19 in Clinton, NY

Forget everything you know about a normal round of golf. At the St. Jude Tailgate Open, hitting circles can actually help erase those bad shots — and that's just one of the things that makes this outing so much fun.

Our annual St. Jude Tailgate Open is back for 2026, and we're heading to Heron Creek Golf Club in Clinton on Saturday, September 19.

It's a day of golf, food, raffles, laughs, and a little friendly competition, all while raising money for the kids of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Grab Three Friends and Hit the Course

This year's event is an 18-hole, four-person scramble, with a 10 AM tee-off at Heron Creek.

So grab three of your favorite golfing buddies and put together a team. And don't worry if you're not exactly a pro on the golf course. The Tailgate Open is all about having a good time, and the unique format can give you a little help along the way.

Yes, You Can Actually Cancel Strokes

If you've ever played golf and wished you could take a few strokes off your scorecard, this might be the tournament for you.

The St. Jude Tailgate Open has its own twist on the game. Throughout the course, you'll have opportunities to hit circles that can cancel strokes.

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Golf, Food, Raffles and More

The cost is $75 per person and includes 18 holes of golf, a cart, and prizes.

We'll also have raffles and a 50/50 throughout the day, giving you even more chances to win while supporting a great cause.

Lunch will be a potluck, so everyone is asked to bring a dish to pass. Bring whatever you're famous for in the kitchen, and we'll have plenty of food to enjoy during the day.

A group of people standing around a buffet line — Photo by Jacob McGowin on Unsplash

Every Dollar Helps the Kids of St. Jude

While the Tailgate Open is definitely about having a good time, there's a much bigger reason we're getting together.

Every dollar raised at the St. Jude Tailgate Open goes toward our St. Jude Radiothon in February. So when you sign up to golf, buy a raffle ticket, take part in the 50/50 or donate a prize, you're helping us get closer to our Radiothon fundraising goal.

Our St. Jude Radiothon is something we look forward to every year, and events like the Tailgate Open help us raise even more for the kids of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

St. Jude's mission is simple but incredibly important: no family should ever receive a bill for their child's treatment.

Families also receive assistance with things like travel, housing, and food, allowing parents to focus on what matters most — helping their child get better.

Credit - Peter Barta/St Jude Children's Research Hospital

A Big Thank You to Our Raffle Donors

A big part of the fun at the Tailgate Open is seeing what prizes you might be able to take home, and we couldn't do the raffle without the generous businesses and organizations that donate.

We want to give a huge thank you to Nothin Bundt Cakes, Bremer's Wine & Liquor, Broadway Theater League, Hamilton Harvest Winery, Utica Comets, Save the Day Foundation, Red Lobster, and River Hills Properties for their generous raffle donations.

2026 St. Jude Tailgate Open

WHEN: Saturday, September 19
TEE OFF: 10 AM
WHERE: Heron Creek Golf Club in Clinton
FORMAT: 18-hole, four-person scramble
COST: $75 per person
INCLUDES: Golf, cart and prizes
LUNCH: Potluck — bring a dish to pass
ALSO: Raffles and 50/50

Want to sign up to play or donate a raffle prize? Email Polly@BigFrog104.com.