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2009 Highlights

San Antonio | November 16, 2009

There is nothing quite like a relaxing day out on the green, but 109 golfers at the Club at Sonterra on November 16 were accomplishing more than just a successful 18-hole round of golf. These golfers participated in the Partnership Golf Tournament and raised approximately $90,000 for Aga Khan Foundation programs that bring hope and opportunity to communities in developing countries.

The changing leaves were a picturesque backdrop for the contests and activities that preceded the banquet, live auction and awards ceremony. In a keynote address at the ceremony, Naushad Kermally, Chairman of AKF USA’s Southwest Region Volunteer Team, gave an overview of Aga Khan Foundation and described the role that the Foundation plays in promoting peace in developing countries. Golfers left the event relaxed and better educated on global issues and the role of the Foundation.

As the last of six Partnership Golf Tournaments this year, participants celebrated the enormous fundraising achievements of 2009 and the thousands in Asia and Africa who will benefit from the money donated.   

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Seattle | July 31, 2009

The second annual Partnership Golf Tournament in Seattle, Washington, held on July 31 at the Golf Club at Newcastle, was a booming success. While golfing, the 134 participants enjoyed activities, contests and stunning mountain and city vistas at every hole. The event brought in an astounding $270,000 for Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. projects that alleviate suffering and promote pluralism, peace and prosperity in developing regions of Asia and Africa. One hundred percent of donations and all net proceeds from the Partnership Golf tournament go directly to projects supported by the Foundation; not a cent is spent on administration.

The tournament’s momentum continued throughout the evening as 260 golfers and guests enjoyed a reception and awards banquet. Participants gladly welcomed back the enthusiastic John Curly, former host of King 5 TV’s Evening Magazine, as host of the evening event and live auction. Two of the auctioned items were paintings created by the acclaimed artist Fahim Hamid Ali, who experiments with shapes and color to portray images from African regions where Aga Khan Foundation is active. Many of his other paintings were featured in an exhibit at the reception, which guests could enjoy between food and entertainment.

The keynote speaker at the banquet, Iqbal Noor Ali, Chief Executive Officer of Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A., highlighted the importance of partnerships in an interconnected world. “We think about physical bridges and we think about metaphorical bridges. At the Aga Khan Development Network, we build both…You’ve come here to have an evening of joy and merriment, of singing and dancing, but I want to remind you that you are also building a metaphorical bridge between you and people in other countries, enabling them and their children to improve their quality of life, to improve their future, to improve their prospects for becoming citizens of the world.”

In his speech, Mr. Noor Ali captured the motivation behind all PartnershipsInAction events, like Partnership Golf. These events not only raise money to help fight disease, illiteracy, poverty and hunger, but also they connect individuals in America with those being served by AKF projects overseas.

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Chicago | July 29, 2009

Clear blue skies and the green rolling hills of Hilton Bloomingdale-Indiana Lakes Golf Resort were a picturesque backdrop for Chicago’s third annual Partnership Golf Tournament. On July 29th, 44 golfers gathered to enjoy good food and some friendly competition and raised a total of $45,000 that will help Aga Khan Foundation and its partners address hunger, poverty, disease and illiteracy in struggling communities in Asia and Africa. The Partnership Golf Tournament is just one of Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A.’s (AKF USA) many initiatives to raise funds and awareness for projects overseas that alleviate suffering and promote pluralism, peace and security in some of the most challenging regions in the world. One hundred percent of donations and all net proceeds from the Partnership Golf tournament go directly to projects supported by the Foundation; not a cent is spent on administration.

At the luncheon immediately following the tournament, golfers rested their clubs and reflected on the day’s activities while enjoying a catered lunch, silent auction and inspirational words from distinguished guests. In his speech, Dr. Eboo S. Patel, member of President Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships and member of the AKF USA National Committee, emphasized the partnership-building and compassion that drives all AKF initiatives, including Partnership Golf. “One of the things I really believe in about the Aga Khan Development Network is this notion of bridges of hope connecting individuals with a better future and between communities so they can build a stronger society together.”

Illinois Secretary of State, the Honorable Jesse White emphasized the importance of education, connecting the event with this year’s PartnershipsInAction theme:  Education: The Universal Bridge, Sharing Knowledge, Reaching Dreams. “If people are educated, society across this world is a better place for all of us, and to the Aga Khan Foundation, I want to thank you for your giving and caring spirit, for making a difference in the lives of not only people here in this country but around the world.” Attendees may have recognized the charming Master of Ceremonies, Ms. Micah Materre, from WGN Channel 9 News at Noon at last year’s Partnership Walk in Chicago, for which she served as emcee. At Partnership Golf, Ms. Materre brought her energy and enthusiasm to the silent auction and awards banquet, adding a memorable finish to an already successful event.  But the fun doesn’t end here with golf.

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Houston | June 15, 2009

On Monday, June 15, Houston’s Sweetwater Country Club hosted the city’s third annual Partnership Golf Tournament, a fundraising initiative of Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. (AKF USA). Greeted by sunny skies and live music from Moodafaruka, 154 golfers brought out their nine irons for a day at the course, raising $220,000 to support AKF USA projects that provide hope and opportunity to some of the poorest communities around the world. A helicopter ball-drop kicked off the afternoon festivities, which included massages, auctions and, of course, a round of golf.

To the Houston volunteers, this year’s PartnershipsInAction theme, Education: The Universal Bridge, Sharing Knowledge, Reaching Dreams, had a symbolic as well as literal meaning. The volunteers constructed a display bridge of wood and rope to highlight the 2009 theme and to demonstrate the Friendship Bridge, a bridge spanning the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border. An Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) project, the Friendship Bridge has allowed Afghan families to cross into Tajikistan to buy and sell goods at a Tajik market.  Three AKDN bridges spanning the river that divides Afghanistan from Tajikistan have benefited the rural communities’ economies and increased their access to food aid. One hundred percent of the donations to the Foundation and all net proceeds from Partnership Golf tournament go directly to fund many projects like the Friendship Bridge, which help some of the poorest communities in Asia and Africa move away from poverty.

At 6:00 p.m. participants escaped the sweltering heat for the evening banquet which was attended by approximately 200 guests. Lauren Lanning, producer/reporter for KTBU Channel 55’s “Wild About Houston” and Miss Texas USA 2006, emceed the awards ceremony. The live auction was conducted by the witty and entertaining Shorty Yeaman, with 25 years of experience and a Certified Auction Institute PhD in auctioneering. The live and silent auctions included everything from cakes to a fancy Jet Ski and contributed significantly to the funds raised. To conclude the day, David Wallace, former Mayor of Sugar Land, delivered the keynote address which celebrated the support from volunteers, players and twelve companies who worked together to raise approximately $220,000 for AKF USA programs.

Despite the economic downturn, the 2009 Houston Partnership Golf Tournament exemplifies Americans’ tremendous generosity and spirit of giving. The tournament’s success proves that battling global poverty is indeed possible when we open our hearts and work together.

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Atlanta | May 19, 2009

Unveiling of trophy: (L to R) Jose Portilla, former offensive tackle with the Atlanta Falcons; Mark Burkhalter, Speaker Pro Tempore of the Georgia House of Representatives; Brian Finneran, current Atlanta Falcons wide receiver; Javy Lopez, former Atlanta Braves catcher; Brian Kozlowski, currently a free agent in the NFL, former wide receiver with Giants, Falcons & Redskins; Dominique Wilkins, former forward Atlanta Hawks, holding trophy cup; Nizar Gilani, Regional Chair, Southeast Region Volunteer Team clapping.

Under splendidly clear breezy skies, 120 golfers participated in the third annual Atlanta Partnership Golf Tournament at the Golf Club of Georgia in Alpharetta, a 36-hole property with two distinctly contrasting and challenging golf courses.  Approximately $150,000 was raised at the event to support Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. programs that reduce hunger, disease, illiteracy and poverty in some of the poorest regions of Africa and Asia.

Several well-known celebrity athletes joined the tournament this year including Javy Lopez, former Major League Baseball catcher for the Atlanta Braves; Jose Portilla, NFL player, former offensive tackle with the Atlanta Falcons; Dominique Wilkins, Basketball Hall of Famer and former forward of the Atlanta Hawks; Brian Kozlowski, tight end NFL free agent with the Giants, Falcons and Redskins; and Brian Finneran, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver.

To kick off the tournament, the Honorable Mark Burkhalter, Speaker Pro Tempore of the Georgia House of Representatives, welcomed and thanked all golfers and sponsors for supporting Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A.  He acknowledged that PartnershipsInAction aptly describes the work of the Aga Khan Foundation as it encourages partnerships among global citizens in Georgia, throughout the U.S. and across international borders to take a swing at ending global poverty.  The Honorable Melvin Everson, Georgia State Representative, also took part in the Partnership Golf Tournament for the third year as an enthusiastic supporter of the Foundation. 

This year the team unveiled an annual trophy cup that will be passed from one winning team to the next year after year.  The commemorative award underscores the long-standing commitment of the Foundation and its volunteers to continue to raise awareness about the positive impact of uniting Americans as global citizens with communities in Africa and Asia to build bridges of hope, peace and greater prosperity for all.

Winning first place, Team Flanagan Lloyd’s was awarded the 2009 trophy cup.  The foursome team was comprised of Anthony Mele, Marc Borrelli, Karim Ajani, and Ahamed Eboo.  Flanagan Lloyd’s was also the signature sponsor for the tournament.

After a day out on the green, golfers enjoyed an outdoor supper in the open air tent listening to the rhythms and beat of the Pete Whitfield Band. A lively awards program with drawings and prizes was hosted by Joseph McKenna, Media Relations Manager for the Atlanta Partnership Golf Team. 

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Dallas | May 11, 2009

As the first PartnershipsInAction event for the 2009 season, Dallas Partnership Golf Tournament event raised approximately $110,000. Despite the pouring rain until 11.30 a.m., the skies cleared up and the sun came out for the helicopter ball-drop. Approximately92 players participated. The tournament began with a shotgun start at 1:30 p.m. There were several on-course contests and challenges, including a hole-in-one contest, the longest drive, and closest to the pin.

Former Cowboy Tight End, Jay Novacek was bid at $400 to play with a team while Nyle Pruitt, one of the most powerful long drivers in the world, participated in the tournament to help raise $7,100 for AKF USA. With more than thirty 400-yard drives, Nyle Pruitt was featured in the May 2008 issue of Golf Tips Magazine and is renowned for his achievements. In observing the significant impact that Aga Khan Foundation has on saving and improving lives in some of the poorest areas of the world, Mr. Novacek remarked, “I am amazed by the hard work of volunteers!”

After a day out on the green, golfers enjoyed an awards banquet featuring Jay Novacek, the keynote speaker. Ms. Arezow Doost, Reporter for KTVT-TV CBS Channel 11 served as Master of Ceremonies at the banquet, and shared her personal experience of her visit back home to Afghanistan after 20 years, recognizing impact of Aga Khan Development Network’s work in the fields of health, education and civil society.

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