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HOUSTON (March 17, 2026) – Texas Children’s, presenting sponsor of the Texas Children’s Houston Open in partnership with the Astros Golf Foundation and the PGA TOUR, announced the launch of Texas Children’s Cleats for Kids, a new initiative that will spotlight the power of sports to build awareness of Texas Children’s steadfast commitment to solving the unsolvable and creating a healthier future for children and women around the world while raising funds for pediatric care and research.
As part of the program, select PGA TOUR golfers including reigning Texas Children’s Houston Open champion Min Woo Lee, along with Gary Woodland and Brooks Koepka among others, will wear custom-designed golf shoes inspired by Texas Children’s patients during the tournament.
“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,” said Kelly Jo Golson, Executive Vice President and Chief Brand & External Affairs Officer at Texas Children’s. “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.”
The initiative serves a dual purpose — raising awareness of every child’s right to a healthy future while also generating philanthropic support for the life-changing care, research and innovation happening at Texas Children’s.
“This was such a fun experience because I got to share my artwork and my story in a way that could help other kids,” said Isabella, a Texas Children’s patient whose design inspired one of the Cleats for Kids shoes. “Knowing that professional golfers will wear something inspired by patients like me makes it really special.”
The Astros Golf Foundation, the host organization for the Texas Children’s Houston Open, partners with Texas Children’s to create a one-of-a-kind tournament experience that puts patients and families at the center of tournament week.
“The Texas Children’s Houston Open is about more than great golf – it’s about making a meaningful impact in our community,” said Giles Kibbe, President, Astros Golf Foundation. “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.”
Photos of the custom cleats, along with stories about the patients who inspired each design and the golfers wearing them, will be featured on a special Cleats for Kids online auction platform, where the cleats will be auctioned following the tournament. One hundred percent of proceeds will support Texas Children’s programs and patient care. The auction and additional information can be accessed at texaschildrens.org/cleats.
“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,” said Texas Children’s patient Ceci, whose artwork inspired Woodland’s cleats. “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 on Texas Children’s growing presence at the Houston Open, which also includes patient-designed caddie bibs worn by PGA TOUR caddies and the expanded Junior Clubhouse, a kid-focused experience featuring interactive activities and a preview of the Texas Children’s Motion Analysis Lab. Together, these experiences help create a welcoming, family-friendly environment while highlighting the stories and resilience of Texas Children’s patients.
The 2026 Texas Children’s Houston Open will take place March 26-29 at Memorial Park Golf Course, bringing the world’s best golfers to Houston while supporting the hospital’s mission to transform pediatric health.
