Texas Children’s announced on March 17 the launch of the Cleats for Kids initiative at the upcoming Texas Children’s Houston Open, in partnership with the Astros Golf Foundation and the PGA TOUR. The program aims to raise awareness and funds for pediatric care and research by highlighting stories of young patients through custom-designed golf shoes worn by select professional golfers during the tournament.
The initiative seeks to spotlight the importance of sports in supporting children’s health while generating philanthropic support for ongoing care, research, and innovation at Texas Children’s. Kelly Jo Golson, Executive Vice President and Chief Brand & External Affairs Officer at Texas Children’s, said, “Texas Children’s is proud to partner with the Astros Golf Foundation and the PGA TOUR to launch Cleats for Kids at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, highlighting the power of sports to drive meaningful impact for our broader community. This initiative highlights the incredible strength and creativity of our patients while giving golfers a purposeful way to share their stories. Every step taken on the course helps raise awareness for the life-changing care, research and innovation happening at Texas Children’s for children and families around the world.”
During this year’s tournament, which will take place from March 26-29 at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, golfers including Min Woo Lee, Gary Woodland, Brooks Koepka, and others will wear shoes inspired by artwork from Texas Children’s patients. Isabella, one such patient whose design was selected, said, “This was such a fun experience because I got to share my artwork and my story in a way that could help other kids. Knowing that professional golfers will wear something inspired by patients like me makes it really special.”
Giles Kibbe, President of Astros Golf Foundation, said that putting patients at the center of tournament week is central to their mission: “The Texas Children’s Houston Open is about more than great golf – it’s about making a meaningful impact in our community. Cleats for Kids is a powerful way of connecting PGA TOUR players with Texas Children’s patients whose strength inspires us all. We’re proud to help create a platform that celebrates these kids while supporting our incredible partner – Texas Children’s.”
After the tournament concludes, photos of each pair of custom cleats along with patient stories will be featured on an online auction platform. All proceeds from this auction will go directly toward supporting programs and patient care at Texas Children’s Hospital.
Ceci, another patient whose artwork inspired Gary Woodland’s cleats design, shared her excitement: “Designing these cleats was a really fun experience because I was able to include the thing that professional golfer Gary Woodland and I have in common: a brain tumor. I also included the Astros Golf Foundation and Texas Children’s because they are a key part of making this golf tournament, and everything it does for kids like me, possible. I’m so excited to see my art out on the course.”
Cleats for Kids builds upon other initiatives by Texas Children’s during tournament week such as patient-designed caddie bibs worn by caddies and an expanded Junior Clubhouse featuring interactive activities. These efforts aim to create an inclusive environment while sharing stories of resilience among young patients.
Texas Children’s continues its commitment as a nonprofit healthcare organization focused on improving outcomes for children and women globally through leading-edge care, education, and research.
