Merchants Hosts First Golf Tournament to Benefit United Way
On Saturday, August 29, 2026, Merchants Insurance Group hosted its first annual United Way/Merchants Insurance Group Golf Tournament at Chestnut Hill Country Club. More than 60 colleagues, agents, business associates, and other friends of Merchants came together for a great morning on the course for an important cause! The tournament was supported by generous sponsors, including Rupp Pfalzgraf, Buffalo Chapter of the CPCU Society, The Law Offices of Melissa A. Day, PLLC, Lawley, Parkway Digital, Verisk, & NEFCO Fire Investigations, and all event proceeds will benefit United Way of Buffalo & Erie County.
“We’re so pleased with the success of our inaugural golf tournament and grateful to everyone who helped make the event possible,” said Charles E. Makey III, President & CEO of Merchants Insurance Group. “It was an incredible opportunity to bring our Merchants network together while supporting our local United Way and the impactful work they do across our community.”
At lunch, prizes were awarded for First Place, Second Place, Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive, and “Most Honest” Team, and participants entered to win raffle prizes and a 50/50 drawing. The strong turnout and enthusiasm surrounding this new Merchants tradition made it a memorable first year.
“We’re looking forward to growing this event in the years ahead!” said Makey.
Merchants’ Support of United Way
Merchants Insurance Group’s annual United Way campaign is the company’s largest philanthropic initiative. Through colleague e-pledge donations, company contributions, and fundraising events, Merchants invests over $100,000 annually in United Way’s programs to help strengthen the communities where colleagues live and work. Each of Merchants’ offices partners with its local United Way chapter; funds raised by the corporate office benefit United Way of Buffalo and Erie County.
Check out the recap of Merchants’ 2025 United Way campaign to learn more: A Look Back on Merchants’ 2025 United Way Campaign
The first annual United Way/Merchants Insurance Group Golf Tournament is the newest company tradition, inviting valued agent partners, business associates, and other friends of Merchants to help Merchants make an even bigger impact with this year’s campaign.
Congratulations to this year’s winners: Frank Guadagno, Alex Huff, Dustin Kennedy, and Ken Certo!
Thank You
Thank you to our event sponsors, volunteers, and participants for making the first annual United Way/Merchants Insurance Group Golf Tournament such a success!
Silver Sponsor:
Bronze Sponsors:
Buffalo Chapter of the CPCU Society | The Law Offices of Melissa A. Day, PLLC | Lawley | Parkway Digital | Verisk
Hole Sponsor:
Photo Gallery
Thank you all participants and volunteers who shared their photos with us! Check out the full gallery below.
If you have additional photos of the fun, we’d love to see them! Find Merchants Insurance Group on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
