Golfers Give Back: Thousands of Courses
Across America Host Patriot Golf Day to Help Support MilitaryFamilies
Nationwide Golf Events and Activities over Labor Day Weekend to help
provide post-secondary educational scholarships for families of wounded and
fallen American military service men and women
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., August 11, 2010 — Labor Day
has always
been a time to recognize career achievements of American workers, but for
the
families of military service men and women killed or disabled while serving
our
great nation, Labor Day carries a special significance. For the fourth
consecutive
year, thousands of golf facilities nationwide will participate in Patriot
Golf Day,
over Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 3-6), collecting donations and raising
awareness for the Folds of Honor Foundation. Patriot Golf Day is jointly
supported by The PGA of America and the United States Golf Association.
Patriot Golf Day, the primary fundraiser for the Folds of Honor Foundation,
seeks to honor the sacrifice of American heroes as an annual event to raise
money for post-secondary educational scholarships for children and spouses
of military service men and women killed or disabled while serving our
great nation. Through events across the country since 2007, PGA
Professionals have helped raise more than $5.3 million, allowing the Folds
of Honor Foundation to award 1,163 post-secondary educational scholarships.
During Labor Day weekend at participating public courses, golfers are asked
to donate at least $1 for each round of golf. Participating private
facilities will accept donations. Non-golfers can also participate by
making a donation to the foundation at its Web site at FoldsofHonor.org. As
a proud supporter and Official Card of Patriot Golf Day, American Express
will match donations made using an American Express® Card¹ during Patriot
Golf Day Weekend (Sept. 3-6) to support the Folds of Honor Foundation.
“Our PGA Professionals have been on board since Day One and have helped
raise millions of dollars for these deserving families of our wounded and
fallen American heroes,” PGA of America President Jim Remy said. “What a
wonderful opportunity for people to give back to those who have given
everything while serving our great nation.
”There are 172,000 dependents of fallen and wounded military service men
and women from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts alone, and 85 percent of
those dependents do not qualify for federal educational assistance. Patriot
Golf Day allows the Folds of Honor to present an ongoing tribute to our
brave service members by ensuring that the families of fallen and wounded
warriors have hope for the right educational start to life and best future
possible.
Major Dan Rooney, a PGA Professional, USGA member and F-16 military pilot
with the Oklahoma Air National Guard, founded the Folds of Honor Foundation
following his second of three tours of duty in Iraq. After witnessing the
tragic homecoming of a fallen American solider, Rooney was inspired to
start Folds of Honor to provide support to military families in the
aftermath of their tragedies.
Other major supporters of Patriot Golf Day include Lifelock, Titleist,
Bushnell, AHEAD, Inc., Golf Pride, Pima Direct, PrideSports, St. Andrews
Products and Jerky John’s. To find out more information about these
products and their support of Patriot Golf Day, visit
FoldsofHonor.org.
