American golfers are encouraged to hit the links Labor Day Weekend (Aug. 30 – Sept. 2), as facilities across the country host Patriot Golf Day events for the seventh year. Facilities will collect donations and raise awareness for Folds of Honor, a non-profit organization which provides educational scholarships for the children and spouses of military service men and women killed or disabled while serving our country.
Patriot Golf Day, supported by The PGA of America and the United States Golf Association (USGA), is a yearlong initiative for Folds of Honor with its national promotion over Labor Day Weekend.
Since 2007, Patriot Golf Day events have raised more than $17 million, including a record-setting total of more than $4.3 million in 2012. Folds of Honor has awarded more than 5,000 educational scholarships, with more than 1,200 awarded this year. President George W. Bush serves as the Honorary Chairman of Patriot Golf Day.
During Labor Day weekend, golfers are asked to make donations at participating courses, while non-golfers can participate by donating to the foundation at FoldsofHonor.org.
“Thanks to the continued support of golfers, The PGA and the USGA, we are honoring the legacy of those who have sacrificed so much for our country by ensuring their loved ones are not left behind on the field of battle when it comes to education,” said Major Dan Rooney, Folds of Honor Founder. “We hope everyone gets out to play during Labor Day Weekend to support these families.”
Rooney, a PGA Professional and USGA member, launched Patriot Golf Day in 2007 following his second of three tours of duty in Iraq. After returning from his second tour, Major Rooney witnessed a profound display of a family’s grief as they welcomed home the remains of Corporal Brock Bucklin. Inspired by this heartbreaking homecoming, Rooney started the Folds of Honor Foundation to provide support to military families in the aftermath of their tragedies.
There are more than one million dependents of fallen and wounded military service men and women from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts alone and 87 percent do not qualify for federal education assistance (as of Jan. 1, 2012). Patriot Golf Day allows the Folds of Honor to present an ongoing tribute to our brave service members by assisting the families of fallen and wounded warriors with their education.
Folds of Honour www.foldsofhonor.org