Because of You, a New Door Opened for Yusuf
For Yusuf and Tyler, a day on the golf course became the beginning of something much bigger.
For three years, Yusuf waited for a mentor.
He knew what having a Big Brother could mean. His siblings had already been matched with mentors, and he’d seen firsthand the experiences, friendships and opportunities those relationships could bring.
He wanted that for himself, too. But like many young people across Calgary and area, Yusuf had to wait for the right match.
Then along came Tyler.
The Right Time for a New Connection
Having recently moved back to Calgary from Ontario, Tyler was looking for ways to connect with his community and give back.
The timing felt right to become a mentor.
When Tyler and Yusuf were matched through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area, they were both beginning something new. For Yusuf, it was the mentoring relationship he’d been waiting years to experience. For Tyler, it was an opportunity to build a meaningful connection and become part of his community in a new way.
Neither knew that one of their first adventures together would happen on a golf course.
An Unexpected First
Tyler has played golf for most of his life. He figured that one day, perhaps, he’d introduce Yusuf to the game. But thanks to the 24th Annual Alberta Treasury Management Charity Classic (ATMCC), that opportunity arrived much sooner than expected. The tournament brought Tyler and Yusuf together for a special day in Canmore, where Yusuf experienced golf for the very first time.
And as it turns out, Yusuf loves golf!
What began as an unfamiliar activity quickly became a shared experience filled with excitement, laughter and connection. By the end of the day, Yusuf was having so much fun that he didn’t want the experience to end.
“I wish I didn’t have to leave,” he said.
For Tyler, a lifelong golfer, it was an opportunity to share something he loves. For Yusuf, it was a chance to try something new with someone who was there just for him.
And for both, it was a memory they could carry into the next chapter of their mentoring relationship.
More Than a Game
At Big Brothers Big Sisters, we know that mentorship isn’t always about grand gestures or life-changing conversations.
Sometimes, it’s about showing up. It’s trying something new, discovering a shared interest or simply spending time together.
These everyday experiences help build the trust, confidence and connection that make mentoring relationships meaningful.
For Tyler and Yusuf, golf offered an opportunity to begin building that foundation early in their match. Their journey together is just beginning, and there’s no telling what adventures might come next.
But one thing is already clear: after three years of waiting, Yusuf finally has someone in his corner.