HOUSTON, TEXAS, APRIL 8, 2015. Today 100 golfers achieved long drives to the green while investing in long-term solutions to global poverty. The golfers raised a net $149,860 for programs of the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) in the annual Houston Partnership Golf tournament, held at the Golf Club of Houston, home of the Shell Houston Open. The charity event is an initiative of the Foundation to raise awareness and funds for ending poverty and helping communities around the world build better futures together.

Organizers thanked the enthusiastic golfers and sponsors across the metro area including national sponsor, The Coca-Cola Company. 100 percent of net proceeds from the tournament go directly to projects supported by the Aga Khan Foundation.

The charity tournament attracted high-level corporate representatives such as Mike Parson from Coca-Cola, civic leaders, and local celebrities. Special guests included pro golfer Stephen Reed and Mike Chabale, soccer player for the Dynamo team. “It’s my privilege to be a guest at this event and present the awards to the winning teams,” observed Harish JaJoo, Mayor Pro Tem of Sugar Land, Texas. The local Eastex Volunteer Fire Department helped make the event memorable with a Hook-and-Ladder ball drop. Winners of that and other on-course contests received gift cards and prizes.

Golfers helped communities in some of the poorest areas of Africa and Asia improve their quality of life. Contributions make a tremendous impact in creating locally driven opportunities for girls in Afghanistan to attend school, farmers in Mali to feed their families, and mothers in India to lead healthy lives.

With 200 projects in 30 countries, Aga Khan Foundation cultivates deep partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits, governments and community leaders to harness the best from people of all walks of life. Working with our partners, we make long-term commitments to innovative programs that improve the quality of life, from early childhood education to green space preservation. Visit our blog to learn more about what we do, at www.akfusa.org.

Read the full press release here.