PRESCOTT – On May 21, 120 golfers hit the greens at The Club at Prescott Lakes for the 5th Annual Bob Mariano Memorial Golf Classic.
Benefiting the mentoring mission of Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters (YBBBS), the event raised $78,605. For the second year in a row, the tournament winners were Keagan Lamb, Ben Hauser, Zach Hauser and Mike Boler.
Bob Mariano believed in giving back to his community. He became a Big Brother to Little Brother Kyle in 2004, igniting a long-lasting relationship of significant impact. Bob also contributed his time and talent to YBBBS as a board member, starting in 2004 and serving as Board Vice Chair in 2006-2007.
“We’re proud to honor Bob’s legacy by hosting the Mariano golf classic,” said YBBBS Executive Director Kristen Kerns. “The tournament enables us to continue our youth mentoring mission across the county and amplifies the urgent need for more Big Brothers and Sisters as our young people face intricate and growing challenges to having a successful future.”
“Thank you for the tremendous support we received from the community for the tournament to honor Bob. He was a proud Big Brother, and was proud to support YBBBS until he became ill and could no longer do so,” shared Bob’s wife, Barbara Mariano.
Bob’s children echoed her sentiment, “My Dad would be very proud of our efforts to give back and to help others. That’s how he lived his life,” said Michele.
Son Mark said, “This is the first year we sold out! My dad would never believe that such a gathering in his name would be held to benefit an organization that meant so much to him. He would be so humbled and grateful. Aside from his family, the next important thing to him was to help others in need.”
YBBBS would like to thank the Mariano Family, our golfers, The Club at Prescott Lakes and our sponsors for an amazing day of golfing and community to benefit the youth of Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters. Our sponsors contributed over $15,000 to the success of the tournament: APS, Desert Financial Credit Union, Advanced Coatings, Arizona Ranch & Resort Cars, Dignity Health, Findlay Buick GMC of Prescott, OneAZ Credit Union, Stratos Wealth Partners, Tracy Murr State Farm, El Gato Azul, Rummel Eye Care, P.C. Executech, Chris Einwalter Edward Jones, Olsen’s Grain, Sentry CTO, BHGRE BloomTree Realty, Lamb Chevrolet, Cadillac Big O Tires, Panera Bread, SRS Distribution, Ferguson, The Daily Courier, PV Amazon WPR1, Allegra Prescott, Nackard Pepsi, Connolly Electric & Mechanical, Vacation Adventures Unlimited and Hotcakez Baking Company.
“We had such a great time at the golf classic this year. It has been an honor to work with the Mariano Family. Even though I never had the opportunity to meet Bob, I feel like I know him thanks to Barbara, Mark and Michele. His legacy lives on through Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters and we are so appreciative the Mariano Family has entrusted us with this event,” said YBBBS Donor Relations Director Heather Seets.
“I would also like to thank Stuart Birch and Kelli Welch from the Club at Prescott Lakes. Their attention to detail and professionalism is unmatched and I am so thankful for the many ways they helped make this a great event. “
Check out the photo gallery by Mama Bear Studios at https://ww w.azbigs.org/gallery-view/2024-bob-mariano-memorial-golf-tournament/.
To learn more about the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring mission and its positive impact on Yavapai County’s youth, visit azbigs.org.
See our photo gallery here.