Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle Annual Golf Outing and Be Great Gala

Celebrating Community Leadership with Honorees Mariano Rivera and Clara Rivera, Terry Clements, Keith Watkins and Sheldon Pride

The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle will host its Annual Golf Outing and Be Great Gala on May 5, 2026, a day-long celebration of community, leadership and youth development. Tickets, sponsorship and journal ad opportunities are available at bgcnr.org, with all proceeds supporting programs and services benefiting more than 12,166 youths in 2025.

We’ll kick off the day with brunch and golf, then come together for a festive Cinco de Mayo–themed Be Great Gala celebrating academic achievement, innovation, our 2026 Youth of the Year, and the supporters who make this work possible. The night will also feature a special performance from our talented Club members.

Not playing golf?  You’re still invited!

The Be Great Gala is a separate ticketed event, and you can attend the evening celebration without participating in the tournament.

This year’s honorees include New York Yankees legend and Baseball Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera and his wife Clara Rivera, who generously support the Club through the Mariano Rivera Workforce Learning and Career Center; Westchester County Legislator Terry Clements; Keith Watkins, Director of Facilities for the City School District of New Rochelle; and Sheldon Pride, former President of the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle. Their commitment to service, leadership and community embodies the spirit of the Be Great Gala.

Generously supported by The Clark Family, the Be Great Gala will highlight the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle’s broad and lasting impact across the community. The evening will celebrate academic achievement, innovation, the 2026 Youth of the Year Leslie Rodriguez and invaluable community supporters who help make the Club’s mission possible. 2025 Youth of the Year Sean Merlo will be recognized as a recipient of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Sparkle Scholarship Award, which provides funding for college expenses. Guests will also enjoy a can’t-miss performance by the Club’s talented youths.

Guests will experience a dynamic and engaging program that reflects the breadth of the Club’s impact and highlights from youth programs such as the Mariano Rivera Workforce Learning and Career Center. Youth from the Club’s Career Workforce Development Pathways will also be on hand to welcome guests. The evening will feature an exciting live auction with exclusive experiences, a Giving Tree supporting direct contributions and opportunities to participate through journal advertisements.

Together, these milestones underscore the Club’s commitment to preparing young people for academic success, leadership and lifelong achievement.

The day begins at 11 a.m. with brunch at Wykagyl Country Club, world-renowned for its beauty and rich history dating back to 1898. The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle has proudly partnered with Wykagyl Country Club for more than 60 years. Golf will tee off at 1 p.m., followed by the Be Great Gala at 5:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to dress in semi-formal attire for the evening celebration.

Every dollar raised through the Golf Outing and Gala underwrites critical programs, including mentorship, academic enrichment, leadership development, career readiness, civics, the arts, athletics and wellness initiatives. As one of Westchester County’s largest nonprofits and a leader in youth development, the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle continues to provide safe, supportive and achievement-driven environments where young people can thrive.

Tickets, sponsorship opportunities and journal advertisements for the Golf Outing and Be Great Gala are available at https://secure.givelively.org/event/boys-and-girls-club-of-new-rochelle-inc/be-great-gala.

For 95 years, Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle has been an integral part of the community, offering quality, achievement-driven programming encompassing academics, mental wellness, fitness, leadership and civics. Today, it is one of Westchester County’s largest nonprofits and a leader in youth development, serving over 12,000 youths annually at 12 school sites and two clubhouses. Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle’s impactful before-school, after-school, elective, and summer offerings empower members to excel in school, become good citizens, and lead healthy, productive lives while effectively bridging the gap between school and home. Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle is proud to be affiliated with Boys & Girls Club of America, widely considered as both the leading youth organization and among the top nonprofits in the United States. Learn more at BGCNR.org.