SINGAPORE (Feb. 1, 2018) — Habitat for Humanity will now be featured as the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit partner for the 2018 season, organizers announced today.

In line with the new partnership, the Asian Tour’s season-long ranking will be renamed as “Habitat for Humanity Standings.” Habitat for Humanity will also become a “Sustainable Development Partner” of the Tour.

By aligning with the Asian Tour, Habitat will leverage the Asian Tour’s global presence to promote its vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. The partnership serves to highlight the work of Habitat for Humanity and in turn, create awareness among a key demographic group to raise funds, attract volunteers and highlight the plight of those in need of decent shelter in Asia and around the world.

With the support of partners and volunteers, Habitat has helped more than 13.2 million people around the world obtain a safer place to sleep at night, along with the strength, stability and self-reliance to build better lives. In the Asia-Pacific region, Habitat operates in over 17 countries including the Philippines, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand which are all markets that host Asian Tour tournaments.

Asia-Pacific Vice President for Habitat for Humanity, Rick Hathaway, said: “Habitat for Humanity has worked with the Asian Tour in recent years with great success, starting with the 2012 Indonesian Masters. We are grateful that a group of our benefactors in Asia are providing the support to expand this relationship for Habitat to be a sustainable development partner of the Asian Tour and be a part of the Tour’s season-long rankings. Through the enhanced visibility of the Habitat for Humanity Standings we hope to scale our efforts as we support Asia-Pacific families in need of decent housing in a region where an estimated 500 million people live in slums.”

Since 2004, the Asian Tour has developed the sport of golf by providing a path to success and is now the third largest Tour in the world.  It has a diverse and committed membership rooted in Asia and a global voice with a potential reach of more than 770 million households thanks to its worldwide television reach, digital media platforms, and traditional press coverage.

“The need for safe and affordable housing for families is particularly pressing in Asia, especially with immense population growth amidst limited city space. The Asian Tour trusts that through this media focused sponsorship, Habitat for Humanity will be able to expand their brand awareness and garner support from the golfing community to help more families increase their access to affordable housing. In addition, our staff and selected Asian Tour players will volunteer our time on-site in some of the communities we host tournaments to help Habitat activate the partnership first hand. We are proud to support and share the philosophy that through shelter, we can empower,” said Josh Burack, CEO of the Asian Tour.

Reigning Asian Tour number one Gavin Green of Malaysia showed his support for this new development and charity initiative.

“We are all aware of how privileged we are as professional golfers to be able to play golf around the world and I think this partnership will be a great motivator to all of us on the Asian Tour to focus on how we can get involved personally and help support the great work by Habitat for Humanity,” said Green.

For details on how to donate or get involved in Habitat for Humanity projects please visit habitat.org/asiapacific for more information.