LAKE PLACID — The Whiteface Club and Resort’s second annual The Longest Day Alzheimer’s fundraiser saw a large number of participants in tennis and golf events over the course of the day-long event, held Wednesday (Aug. 6). It benefited the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York. The Longest Day efforts in 2024 and 2025 combined have generated $100,000 for the organization.

The festivities opened Wednesday morning at the Whiteface Club Tennis Center. A round-robin format saw Beth Keenan outlast Chris Lussi for the championship in a field of 16 players.

Later that afternoon, 18 foursomes played a scramble format at the Whiteface Club Golf Course. As temperatures rose, the winning team of Steve Mallaro, Nick Moran and Justin and Tye Felhaber heated up. They ran away from the rest with a 15-under par 56, good enough for a six-stroke victory. The winners posted a total of 12 threes, including an eagle three on the par-5, sixth hole. Felhaber appeared in five games for the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche this past season.

Individual golf prizes went to Cherie Mehler and Steve Regan (long drive); Edie McHugh and Paul Ryan (closest to the pin).

The evening continued with the awards ceremony, a barbecue buffet and live music by Wayne Failing in the club’s dining room as attendees placed bids on the many auction items that were placed on the veranda.

It ended with comments from Whiteface Companies CEO Tracey Brooks, the Alzheimer’s Association’s Senior Development Manager Ashley Enekes, as well as Mark and Pam Sperling. Mark is the recently retired Whiteface Companies CEO. His wife, Pam, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2024.

“Alzheimer’s has touched our community here at the Whiteface Club in such a personal way that we are committed to be a part of ‘Generation Hope’, those who are going to end Alzheimer’s and other dementias; giving to end a disease that has only taken,” Brooks said.

Since Pam’s diagnosis, family members of Whiteface Club employees have been similarly impacted, thus bringing The Longest Day, and all it stands for, into the hearts of those who participated.

“We are deeply grateful for the generosity and support of the Lake Placid community and all who joined us,” Enekes said. “Your participation helped make this event not only a success, but a truly meaningful experience for all involved.

“To those families who have had a recent diagnosis, please know that you are not alone,” she added. “Our local program managers are here to provide education, guidance, and local resources as you navigate the journey ahead. We also offer a variety of support groups, both in-person and virtual, all at no cost, thanks in part to fundraisers like this one.”

Today, more than seven million Americans, including 426,500 New Yorkers, are living with Alzheimer’s disease ­– a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, nearly 12 million Americans provide unpaid care to people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.