New Rochelle, N.Y. — Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame member Betsy King is leading an LPGA member initiative, Golf Fore Africa, that recognizes a new community partnership with World Vision through 2008.
During today’s press conference at the HSBC Women’s World Match Play Championship at Wykagyl Country Club, King presented a $10,000 check from the LPGA Tour membership that will help fund the Golf For Africa initiative.
Ms. King has been a long-time supporter of World Vision’s work in Africa. She recently visited Rwanda to see the level of need firsthand. Her experiences in Mudasomwa inspired her to work toward alleviating the root causes of poverty in this rural town.
After meeting a group of women supported by a World Vision microfinance project, Ms. King said: "It was wonderful to meet women empowered to help themselves and their children out of extreme poverty."
Golf Fore Africa will provide the people of Mudasomwa, Rwanda with resources they need to plan, implement and develop sustainable solutions that address AIDS, impoverished children, education, and work opportunities in their community. This is done through World Vision’s Community Care Coalitions (CCCs). The CCCs develop child-focused, community-based activities to improve the lives of orphans and vulnerable children, and community members living with AIDS.
In October 2007, Golf Fore Africa will sponsor a trip to Mudasomwa and other communities in Kigali, Rwanda in support of these partnerships on the African continent.
About the Ladies Professional Golf Association
Featuring the world’s best women golfers, the LPGA’s membership includes touring, teaching and club professionals. The LPGA Tour in 2007 features 35 events, with total prize money of nearly $55 million. Since 1981, the LPGA and its tournaments have raised approximately $180 million for charity. The LPGA has grown from its roots as a playing tour into a non-profit organization involved in every facet of golf. In addition to the LPGA Tour members, the LPGA membership includes nearly 1,200 certified Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP) who serve the golf industry in teaching, coaching and management positions. For more information on the LPGA, log on to www.LPGA.com.
For complete information and resources, visit www.worldvision.org/golfforeafrica
Contact:
Anne Duffy, World Vision, 202.572.6340 (office); 202.352.5408 (mobile)
Connie Wilson, LPGA, 386.274.6271 (office), connie.wilson@lpga.com
