BEFORE THE FIRST TEE

Monday morning, the first group will step onto the tee at Reedy Meadow Golf Course and Fairways 4 Kids will officially begin.

Twelve teams.

Forty-eight golfers.

Nine holes.

One purpose.

But long before anyone hits the first shot, this event has already become more than I originally imagined.

Fairways 4 Kids started with a fairly simple idea: bring some people together, play a little golf and raise money for Boston Children’s Hospital.

Then people started saying yes.

Golfers filled the teams.

Families and friends sponsored every hole, including a business stepping up to be our tourney sponsor.

Local businesses and friends donated raffle prizes.

Volunteers offered their time.

People stepped forward to help with all the small details that turn an idea into an actual event.

Some of the signs on the course will honor people we love.

Some will remember people we have lost.

Some will recognize battles being fought right now.

And some simply say that we are there for the kids.

That may be my favorite part of what this became.

Every sign has a story behind it.

Every team has a reason for being there.

Every person who helped has added something to the day.

If I’m being honest, putting all of this together has been stressful.

There are a lot of moving parts, and I’ve spent plenty of time wondering what I forgot, what could go wrong and whether everything will come together the way I pictured it.

The weather has certainly given me something else to think about.

But anyone who has ever played golf in New England knows that you work with the day you’re given.

If there is wind, we play in the wind.

If there is rain, we deal with the rain.

If things don’t go exactly according to plan—and something probably won’t—we adjust and keep moving.

That sounds familiar.

Before most of the golfers arrive Monday, my foursome—Cam, Billy, Jackson and me—will already be at the course helping get everything ready. Then we’ll take the first tee time and hopefully remember that we’re also supposed to play a little golf.

Having those three, my boys, my kids, my crew, beside me to start the day means a lot.

And we certainly won’t be doing any of this alone.

Ca and Renee have been two of the key cogs behind these events for years. They have stood beside me through the planning, the scrambling and all the last-minute details that come with trying to turn an idea into something meaningful.

My dear friend Michelle will be there early with her coffee truck, making sure everyone begins the morning properly caffeinated.

Chrissy and Kathy will be our DJs for the day, providing the soundtrack and helping bring some energy to the first tee.

Paige will be singing live on hole number nine, making our Closest to the Pin hole even more memorable.

Sarah and Abby will be out on the course handling photos and the 50/50.

Tricia, Ashley and Shannon will take care of check-in and the mulligan table, helping welcome everyone and get the day rolling.

Every one of them has given their time and talent to help make this happen, and I’m incredibly grateful.

Sometimes I get so caught up in the stress and the moving parts that I forget to stop and look at the people standing around me.

The truth is, I’m truly blessed.

Blessed to have family and friends who continue to show up, believe in these ideas and help me turn them into something real. Fairways 4 Kids would not be happening without them, and I don’t take any of it—or any of them—for granted.

Fairways 4 Kids may be a little 9 hole golf tournament, but the reason behind it has nothing to do with anyone’s score.

Boston Children’s Hospital has been an important part of my life for a long time. Giving back has always helped give the miles, the work and the difficult days a greater purpose.

This event is another way to do that.

Most of us will never meet the children and families who benefit from the money being raised. We may never know exactly where the help lands or whose day becomes slightly easier because a group of people simply decided to show up.

We don’t need to know.

We only need to understand that helping matters.

There is also something about this event that fits perfectly with what I hope Rebuild the Shield becomes.

None of us rebuild alone.

We get through difficult stretches because people stand beside us—and because, when we are able, we choose to stand beside someone else.

Sometimes that means having a difficult conversation.

Sometimes it means checking in on a friend.

Sometimes it means running miles for children and families who need help.

And sometimes it means gathering forty-eight golfers on a Monday morning and hoping everyone remembers where they are supposed to be.

This event may have started with an idea, but it was never built by me alone!

Our volunteers took on responsibilities and helped keep the pieces moving.

Our golfers committed their time and money.

Our sponsors believed in the purpose.

Businesses throughout the community donated generously.

Friends and family answered messages, shared posts, purchased tickets and offered help—often before I even knew I needed it.

That is what I will remember when the nerves kick in Monday morning.

I’ll remember that a lot of people chose to be part of this.

Success on Monday won’t be measured by perfect weather, a schedule without some hiccups or the winning score.

It will be measured by whether people feel welcomed and appreciated.

It will be measured by the laughter on the course, maybe a few tears, the stories behind the signs and the community that came together.

Most importantly, it will be measured by what we are able to give back to Boston Children’s Hospital.

Before the first tee shot has even been struck, I’m already grateful.

Grateful to everyone who sponsored, donated, volunteered, played or simply encouraged me while this came together.

Monday, we’ll tee it up.

We’ll work with whatever the day gives us.

And we’ll do it for the kids.

PICK UP THE SHIELD. 🛡️