The second Annual Patriot Golf Day officially kicked off with a moving opening ceremony at The PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., on Aug. 30, that offered plenty of pageantry, as it signaled the return of the nationwide fund-raiser for the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides scholarships for the families of military veterans of Iraq or Afghanistan who either perished or were injured while in the line of duty.

The PGA Golf Club's special events reflected more than 3,600 facilities nationally that reported participating in Patriot Golf Day on PatriotGolfDay.com. In 2007, The PGA of America and the United States Golf Association partnered to lead an industry-wide campaign, with 3,200 facilities generating more than $1.1 million. To date, some 200 scholarships have been distributed to families of military veterans. This year's total donations will be announced later in the month.

Following a parade and processional down PGA Golf Club's Perfect Drive, ceremonies were highlighted with the presentation of the colors, a U.S. Coast Guard Amphibious Vehicle, "21 Golf Ball Salute," M-1 rifles, military veterans and stirring speeches made by the dignitaries on-hand including: PGA of America Chief Executive Officer Joe Steranka, Folds of Honor Foundation Executive Director Ret. Maj. Ed Pulido, U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney, PGA General Manager Bob Baldassari, PGA, and Port St. Lucie Mayor Patricia Christensen.

American flags waved in unison as each flagstick on the course was adorned with "Old Glory" for the inaugural John Smikonis Memorial Medal Tournament (named in honor of the first member of The PGA of America to lose his life while serving his country during World War II).

"Today, we are proud to host Patriot Golf Day events at more than 3,600 golf courses nationwide," said Steranka in addressing an audience of 250. "And, we are delighted to raise proceeds for the Folds of Honor Foundation in support of the families of our nation's bravest heroes."

Through golf tournaments, instruction, family events and more, funds were raised at golf facilities across the United States throughout Labor Day Weekend for the Folds of Honor Foundation.

Ret. Maj. Pulido, who lost his left leg while serving in Iraq and has since devoted his post-military life to expanding the Folds of Honor Foundation, stirred the crowd with his account of how an explosive device changed his life forever.

"Please excuse me if I get emotional, but these events are very emotional to me after everything I've been through," said Pulido. "I am so grateful for what everyone is doing for the Folds of Honor Foundation and my fellow veterans on Patriot Golf Day nationwide. When I was going through rehabilitation from losing a leg, one of the things that kept me going was you, my fellow Americans, who have supported me and the American Military through it all. It does make a difference."

"It is a true honor to pay tribute today to the people who not have only served us and made tremendous sacrifices, but for those who, as we speak, are out on the front line in Iraq and abroad," said Rep. Mahoney.

The staff of the PGA Golf Club, PGA Learning Center and the nearby PGA Country Club prepared for Patriot Golf Day after having spent some two weeks preparing the facilities to open for play after receiving more than a foot of rain from Tropical Storm Fay.

As a result, more than 500 people were able to participate in Patriot Golf Day events at the three facilities throughout the Labor Day Weekend, as the PGA Learning Center offered golf instruction and family events in exchange for donations to the cause. The PGA Country Club hosted a golf benefit and The PGA Golf Club also presented additional family events and a second golf tournament on Labor Day.

"Thanks to heroes, and I mean that only in the golf sense, we are privileged to host Patriot Golf Day events for such a wonderful cause in the Folds of Honor Foundation," said Baldassari.

Port St. Lucie Mayor Patricia Christensen summed up the patriotic theme. "Two of my sons have served in the Air Force, and from a mother's perspective, it warms my heart that The PGA of America and the Folds of Honor Foundation are helping the families of those who have sacrificed for their country."

Facilities participating in Patriot Golf Day are listed at PatriotGolfDay.com. Individuals interested in making a donation to the Folds of Honor Foundation and those applying for scholarships should visit FoldsofHonor.org.

2008 Patriot Golf Day
Submitted By PGA Professionals

Jim Remy, PGA
Vice President, The PGA of America
Vice President and General Manager, Okemo Golf Division
Okemo Valley Golf Club
Ludlow, Vt.
Paul L. Barton Jr. has been a member of our maintenance staff for nearly seven years, and what he did by himself over the past Labor Day weekend made us all proud. Paul is a great example of someone who gives back to others. He stood outdoors to meet the members and raised $2,500 for Patriot Golf Day. An Army veteran, Paul is the son of the late U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Paul L. Barton, who was a 1934 graduate of West Point. Paul displayed his father's Purple Heart and Flag. Paul's family is deeply rooted in military service and Paul felt this was a way to give back to those who serve. We are all very proud to have Paul on our staff and for his wonderful effort this past weekend. We wish to salute all those who have taken part in Patriot Golf Day.

Kelly Childs, PGA
President, Carolinas PGA Section
Director of Golf, Country Club of Sapphire Valley
Cashiers, N.C.
A year ago, Patriot Golf Day was introduced without much preparation time for our members, but we were able to raise $3,000. This year, we were very pleased to have been organized and had the wonderful video message of Maj. Dan Rooney for our members. I am proud to say that we will surpass $10,000 this year, and included in that was a raffle that generated $1,000 for a signature Patriot TaylorMade driver. We conducted our regular Labor Day Golf Event and Cookout yesterday --, and culminated the day with our drawing, thanks to all from me, and then called upon West Carolina University band member, Bradley Chapman, to play the National Anthem on the trumpet at 5:30 p.m. We had asked all golfers in advance to stop play at that moment. Our club lies in a valley, and you could hear the trumpet echoing all the way up to the homes that rested in the hills. Everyone near the clubhouse terrace paused with their hands on their hearts to honor the sacrifice so many have made and are making for us.

Ron Dunham, PGA
Teton Pines Golf Course
Jackson, Wyo.
I held a golf marathon and played 110 holes (averaged 73.66 per round) and have currently raised more than $10,000, and have a few more members that want to pledge monies. It was a lot of fun doing it and was very satisfying knowing where the money will be going that was raised.

Kevin P. McKinley, PGA
Treetops Resort
Gaylord, Mich.
Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Mich., hosted Duane and Dawn Bucklin, the parents of Brock Bucklin, the fallen soldier who inspired Maj. Dan Rooney to begin Patriot Golf Day, as its honored guests for the event. Participants were able to compete in a Par 3 Amateur Shootout over the Labor Day Weekend. The event was a two-person tournament that allowed participants to play 27 holes each day over two days -- 18 holes on the Tom Fazio and Rick Smith courses; and 9 holes each day on Treetops, which was set up the exact way that the professionals played it when the club hosted a Par 3 Shootout televised on ESPN in 2006. Benefitting the Folds of Honor Foundation, this year's tournament consisted of an opening ceremony on Aug. 29, complete with an honor guard, and then the golf event on Aug. 30-31.

Abe Hernandez, PGA
Royal Oaks Country Club
Dallas
While the second annual Patriot Golf Day was officially conducted over Labor Day Weekend, the 500 members of Royal Oaks Country Club in Dallas, decided Memorial Day Weekend worked just fine as well. Guided by PGA assistant professional Abe Hernandez, Royal Oak's membership raised $26,386, on May 26, through donations and a sports fan's dream silent auction - all conducted on the first tee. Royals Oaks members donated $5,000, while the silent auction featured many special sports memorabilia items donated by professional athletes of several sports, which yielded $21,386. Justin Leonard donated a PGA Grand Slam of Golf flag signed by Tiger Woods, Rich Beem, Davis Love III and Leonard in 2002, which sold for $5,000. Also included in the auction were autographed items donated by: PGA Tour professionals, the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Meanwhile, a U.S. flag that had flown above the U.S. Capitol went for $2,750.

Jane Broderick, PGA
PGA National Golf Club
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
PGA National Resort collected donations all weekend, and actually extended it to Sept. 2, to make things available to the servicemen and women who are staying there. They opened the resort to active military for a free night stay on Labor Day, a free round of golf on the Palmer Course, free clinic and a complementary clinic demonstration by 2008 PGA Distinguished Service Award winner Dennis Walters.

Dudley Darling, PGA
Juniper Hill Golf Course
Northborough, Mass.
As it did last year, Juniper Hill Golf Course asked golfers to put either their name or someone else's name on a Patriot Golf Day donation card. The Course then displayed the cards throughout the golf shop. Along with displays of flight suits and a uniform from a returning Marine on mannequins, the setting was quite visual.

Nick Marucci, PGA
Tippecanoe Lake Country Club
Leesburg, Ind.
Raised more than $14,000 playing marathon golf -- 432 holes in 16 hours.

Chad Bucci, PGA
NCR Country Club
Dayton, Ohio
NCR Country Club requested either a cash donation or donated piece of golf equipment in exchange for: golf Instruction from local PGA Professionals; autograph sessions with former and current Ohio State Buckeyes, Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Bengals and Columbus Blue Jackets players, as well as other sports figures. There was a Hole-In-One Contest, auctions for equipment and sports memorabilia and an opportunity to meet Military Families. The event was sponsored by the NCR Membership, Adams, Titleist, and The Miami Valley Golf Association.

Todd Sone, PGA
Impact Golf Center
Vernon Hills, Ill.
Looking to be involved as teachers, the Impact Golf staff decided that it will host a "Teaching for our Troops Day" to benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation on Sept. 27. They will set up video stations on the range for full swing instruction, as well as short game and putting stations, so they can volunteer their time to help golfers with any part of their game. They will offer 10-15 minutes of instruction at each station with a donation box available for contributions.

John Hall, PGA
Old North State Club
New London, N.C.
I'm soliciting some of my business partners for our upcoming event September 27th. Some will send their donations "through" our event, and others will be direct like this one. Just want to let you know that our fund-raising will also be outside of the actual dinner/golf outing that we're having. Also, we've decided to turn our Friday night dinner with (Ret. Maj. Ed Pulido) into a "military appreciation" night. We've invited several recently retired veterans to our event, including a two-star General that served with the 82nd Airborne, Chuck "Swandog" Swannock. He's a golfing buddy of mine and a great American. His last tour was in Iraq two years ago. We've already got commitments for $14,000, and we've haven't caught second gear yet!

Ko Olina Golf Club
Kapolei, Hawaii
Ko Olina Golf Club hosted a free Patriot Golf Day Clinic on Aug. 30, with Lt. Billy Hurley III, a 2004 U.S. Naval Academy Graduate, golf professional, and U.S. Walker Cup Team Member. Active Duty Military Personnel were able to register to win a round of golf with Lt. Hurley III and Ret. Adm. Tom Fargo, former commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, and current President and CEO of the Hawaii Superferry, Inc. Two Service members also won 18 holes of golf and lunch at Roy's Ko Olina. For every round of golf played, Ko Olina donated $1 to the Folds of Honor Foundation.

Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $76 billion golf industry. By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.

The USGA is the national governing body of golf in this country and Mexico, a combined territory that includes more than half the world's golfers and golf courses. The Association's most visible role is played out each season in conducting 13 national championships, including the U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open and U.S. Senior Open. Ten additional USGA national championships are exclusively for amateurs, and include the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Women's Amateur. The USGA also writes the Rules of Golf, conducts equipment testing, provides expert course maintenance consultations, funds research for better turf and a better environment, maintains a Handicap System and administers an ongoing "For the Good of the Game" grants program, which has allocated more than $62 million over 11 years to successful programs that bring the game's values to youths from disadvantaged backgrounds and people with disabilities. For more information about the USGA, visit USGA.org.

The Folds of Honor Foundation is a 501(c)(3) legacy foundation designed to provide educational scholarships for dependents and spouses of service members who are either killed or disabled while serving and defending our great nation. (Foldsofhonor.org)