Tee It Up With Tom Watson B2M Benefit Event

Hall of fame golf legend Tom Watson will host a Boys to Men Hawaii benefit golf event on Feb. 11.

Boys to Men Hawaii, a school-based group mentoring organization operating in eight schools around the Big Island, has partnered with Watson for a third round of “Tee it up with Tom’’ to benefit Boys to Men Hawaii.

Watson, an eight-time major champion, is hosting the private golf clinic and game on Ke’olu Golf Course at Hualalai Resort.

Last year’s event was a resounding success, making it possible to provide support and guidance to boys throughout the community.

This year, in addition to a morning golf clinic, 18 holes of golf and lunch at the members-only course at the Four Seasons resort, Boys to Men Hawaii will host a Sponsor Appreciation Dinner Gala.

Funds raised from the golf event and gala go directly toward supporting the boys in our community to get access to school-based group mentoring offered by Boys to Men Hawaii.

Group mentoring measurably improves a boy’s self-esteem and how he sees the world, reducing his need for external validation by acting out in destructive behaviors. This model serves as a powerful deterrent to lives of crime and addiction.

“I can say with confidence that B2M is changing the lives of these children and setting them on a new path for their future that they never knew was possible,” said Matt Horne, principle of Wamea Middle School.

“It costs taxpayers nearly $200,000  per year for each boy we send to the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility,” said Mitchell D. Roth, Hawai‘i County prosecuting attorney. For a fraction of that cost, with Boys to Men Hawaii’s help, we can keep more and more boys out of the system.”

Boys to Men Hawaii was founded as a Hawaii nonprofit in 2013. In just four short years, Boys to Men Hawaii has grown from one school-based mentoring group at Waimea Middle School to eight school-based programs around the island serving over 100 boys.

Because the world needs good men to empower and support at-risk youth in our community, Boys to Men Hawaii is dedicated to being a catalyst for change. Program mentors have logged thousands of volunteer hours, a number that is constantly growing.

The organization also offers Adventure Weekend training, where boys learn valuable life skills to overcome the challenges that they are facing. Boys to Men Hawaii has trained and certified nearly 100 mentors in six trainings throughout the state.

To participate in “Tee it up with Tom” and/or the Boys to Men Hawaii dinner gala, visit www.B2Mhawaii.org or call 877-814-0457.