nedmstaffPatriot Golf Day, PGA HOPE and Folds of Honor
Come Together over Labor Day Weekend to Serve Military Families
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (Aug. 11, 2020) – Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that provides educational scholarships to spouses and children of fallen and disabled Veterans, and PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) will host Patriot Golf Day over Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 4-7.
Beginning this year, the two organizations have joined together to expand and grow annual fundraising efforts for both Folds of Honor and PGA HOPE to better serve the needs of Veterans and their families through the game of golf. PGA HOPE is the flagship military program of the PGA of America’s 501(c)(3) foundation, PGA Foundation, Inc. d/b/a PGA REACH.
Patriot Golf Day, a nationwide initiative to raise awareness and scholarship funds for the families of fallen and wounded Veterans, will take place over Labor Day Weekend to honor the sacrifice of America’s heroes.
“We are so impressed by the outpouring of support that the golf community has consistently shown for Folds of Honor over the last 13 years,” said Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, CEO and Founder of Folds of Honor and a PGA Member. “Working closer with PGA REACH, we can now offer opportunities and service that benefit both our Veterans through PGA HOPE and their families through educational scholarships funded by Folds on Patriot Golf Day. 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.”
Participants in the John Shimkonis, PGA Memorial Tournament during Patriot Golf Day held at PGA Golf Club, Port St. Lucie, Florida
Patriot Golf Day began as a grassroots fundraising initiative over Labor Day Weekend in 2007, with golfers nationwide encouraged to add an extra dollar to their green fees to fund Folds of Honor scholarships. Over the last 13 years, the effort has grown to encompass onsite donation boxes, a variety of fundraising events, tournaments and golf marathons led by PGA Professionals and golfers across America, resulting in over 28,000 scholarships to benefit Folds of Honor—in all 50 states and 41 PGA Sections. If you can’t locate a participating course near you, you can still play golf during Patriot Golf Day Weekend and donate at FoldsofHonor.org or Venmo @PariotGolfDay.
PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. The program includes a developmental six-to-eight-week curriculum, taught by PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. In 2019, PGA HOPE programming impacted 2,500 Veterans nationwide.
“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. “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 Jack Nicklaus, who annually serves as honorary chair of the event and is also a strong supporter of PGA HOPE. Mr. Nicklaus will continue to stay involved in both causes through this new partnership.
“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,” said Nicklaus. “When we can use the game of golf as the vehicle to give back, it becomes even more meaningful to me. That’s why I feel blessed and honored to partner with great organizations like Folds of Honor and PGA REACH.”
For more information on Patriot Golf Day, visit FoldsofHonor.org. For more information on PGA HOPE, visitPGAREACH.org
In 2021, Patriot Golf Day will move to Memorial Day Weekend.
About Folds of Honor
Folds of Honor is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to families of military men and women who have fallen or been disabled while on active duty in the United States Armed Forces. Our educational scholarships support private education tuition and tutoring for children in grades K-12, as well as higher education tuition assistance for spouses and dependents. Founded in 2007 by Major Dan Rooney, a PGA Member and F-16 fighter pilot currently stationed at Tyndall AFB Florida as a member of 301st Fighter Squadron who served three tours of duty in Iraq. Folds of Honor is proud to have awarded more than 28,000 scholarships in all 50 states, as well as Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. For more information or to donate in support of a Folds of Honor scholarship, visit foldsofhonor.org.
About PGA REACH
PGA REACH is the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. The mission of PGA REACH is to positively impact the lives of youth, military, and diverse populations by enabling access to PGA Professionals, PGA Sections and the game of golf. For more information on PGA REACH, visit PGAREACH.org, follow @PGAREACH on Twitter, and find us on Facebook.
Media Contact:
Michael Abramowitz PGA of America 561-624-8458 mabramowitz@pgahq.com
Glenn Greenspan Folds of Honor 407-493-2243 ggreenspan@foldsofhonor.org