Story originally posted on worldhope.org on May 13th, 2019.
Gary Lipman had a passion for golf and a bigger passion for helping others. He began a golf tournament years ago to benefit others, and after his sudden death in 2008, it was continued in his honor as the Gary Lipman Invitational (GLI). Since 2011, the tournament has partnered with World Hope International (WHI) to raise money for drilling wells across the continent of Africa. Over the years, their efforts have helped to provide clean drinking water for 70,000+ people.
On Saturday, April 27th, the 9th Annual Lipman Memorial Golf Tournament was hosted.
This year, 95 people participated and raised over $75,000. With a matching gift from an anonymous donor, this tournament raised more than $150,000–which means 15 new wells in communities in Africa.
The golf tournament includes a variety of challenges at different holes on the course. An addition to the course this year was the option to shoot a golf ball from a modified AK-15 rifle. The longest shot on this hole traveled 330 yards. Six teams tied with a low score of 19 under par!
With this tournament down and the 10th Anniversary Tournament ahead next year, the GLI is still hoping to bring in $3,000 more this year – which will mean they could drill a 16th well with WHI in 2019. That 16th well would be the 100th well provided by the GLI since the partnership with WHI began in 2011.
What an incredible legacy to celebrate.