The Folds of Honor has joined forces with PGA HOPE to conduct Patriot Golf Day over Labor Day Weekend to support the needs of U.S. military veterans and their families through golf.
It’s easy for players to participate in Patriot Golf Day. Anyone playing golf Sept. 4-7 can donate extra money through their green fee at participating courses nationwide, and many courses will present cash donation boxes on their pro shop counters. Many courses also will conduct fundraising tournaments and other events to support the cause, and interested parties also can donate directly to Patriot Golf Day through foldsofhonor.org.
Folds of Honor, founded by U.S. Air Force Reserves Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney in 2007, has utilized Patriot Golf Day to raise funds that have supported 28,000 educational scholarships for spouses and children of disabled veterans and fallen soldiers. Folds of Honor reported that in 2019 alone it awarded approximately $22 million in educational scholarships to more than 4,500 students, representing a 10 percent increase in scholarships from 2018.
“We are so impressed by the outpouring of support the golf community has consistently shown for Folds of Honor over the last 13 years,” Rooney said in a media release. “… I am very proud to stand with my fellow PGA professionals and take this next step together with PGA HOPE to honor those who have sacrificed so much for our country.”
PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of the PGA of America’s PGA REACH foundation, which has a goal of impacting the lives of youth, military and diverse populations. PGA HOPE introduces veterans with disabilities to golf to support their physical and mental wellbeing with a curriculum taught by PGA professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency.
“We couldn’t be more proud of the work that PGA professionals have done through PGA HOPE, utilizing the game of golf as a form of therapy and rehabilitation for veterans,” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh in the media statement. “By partnering with Folds of Honor on Patriot Golf Day, we can expand our footprint within the families of those we serve through golf. This partnership is a natural extension of our long-standing mission to support our nation’s heroes.”
The Patriot Golf Day campaign is led by legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus.
“I never had the privilege to serve our great nation, but I am passionate and committed to any initiative that allows us to recognize, assist and support the men and women of our military, who have sacrificed so much for our freedom,” Nicklaus said in the media release. “When we can use the game of golf as the vehicle to give back, it becomes even more meaningful to me.”