Since its inception in 2003, the Big Golf Tournament has joined adult volunteer mentors for the program, referred to as Big Brothers and Big Sisters, along with their friends and colleagues, together for the cause. In 2017, the one-day fundraiser was renamed in memory of Daquan Burrell, a Little Brother for the program who tragically passed away earlier that year. Burrell was matched with Tim O’Brien, a member of the nonprofit’s tournament committee, for nearly 10 years. To date, the annual event has raised more than $600,000 for the cause.

“I was fortunate to be Daquan’s Big Brother for over ten years and we had an amazing friendship and a true Big Brother/ Little Brother relationship.  We shared a love for all things sports, superhero movies and jamming out to music in our car rides.   Daquan and I enjoyed being total goofballs and we laughed all the time.   I couldn’t say enough about Big Brothers Big Sisters and the opportunity it gave me to be a part of Daquan’s life and watch him grow up.  I forever cherish our relationship.”

The state’s leading one-to-one youth mentoring program partners with families to provide children with one-to-one relationships with caring adult mentors who help them reach their fullest potential. With research and proven outcomes at its core, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts creates matches based on shared interests, geography and personality and serves as a consistent resource for Bigs, Littles and their families. The organization welcomes Bigs and Littles of all races, ethnicities, cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, and physical abilities and serves as a bridge between communities and community partners, helping to address larger social issues, such race and education gaps.

The tournament will kick-off with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. Golfers will tee up in teams of four to play 18 holes. A reception will follow during which participants will enjoy a speaking program and awards presentation.

In its 70th year, BBBSEM has created and served more than 20,000 matches. The nonprofit is now enrolling and matching Littles and Bigs. For more information, to register your children or to become a volunteer, visit: www.emassbigs.org. To learn more about BBBSEM’s Big Golf tournament, visit https://emassbigs.wpengine.com/events/big-golf-tournament/.