Thirteen PGA Sections Complete Marine Corps Marathon

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- PGA Professionals representing 13 PGA Sections completed distance running's grueling test Sunday in the nation's capital in the 34th Marine Corps Marathon, while raising $80,000 for the Folds of Honor Foundation and Section charitable foundations.

More than 21,000 runners competed in the Marine Corps Marathon, "The People's Marathon," including a contingent of 26 runners, 16 of which are PGA Professionals, competing for their respective PGA Sections.

The PGA of America presence was coordinated by South Florida PGA Executive Director Geoff Lofstead, who had approached Folds of Honor Founder Maj. Dan Rooney of Broken Arrow, Okla., in 2008 with the idea that could advance a new pathway for fundraising for the Foundation.

Lofstead competed in his fourth career marathon, finishing in 3 hours, 50 minutes, 29 seconds, which translated to placing 3,262nd in the massive field.

"What made the whole effort so special was the dinner we all had the night before the race," said Lofstead, a resident of Coral Springs, Fla. "We went around the room and spoke about our personal stories about why we wanted to be in the marathon. That evening became one of the most special events that I've been a part. As for the race, the weather was a perfect 50 degrees when we started and did not reach 60 until when we had finished."

Rooney, his wife Jacqy and a family friend, Scott Brandt of Kansas City, Kan., finished side by side at the finish line in 4 hours, 22 minutes, 59 seconds.

"If it had not been for Geoff Lofstead, I don't know if we ever would have got this movement underway. It was inspiring, it was painful, but it was one of the most meaningful experiences I have had as a golf professional," said Rooney.

"What motivated us even more as we ran through our nation's capital was seeing fellow PGA Professionals joining us, knowing why we were there to support so many who have given so much, and just to get the support of many strangers along the race. Jacqy, our friend Scott Brandt and I raised our arms and crossed the finish line together. I believe that we can keep the tradition alive and involve more PGA Professionals."

Jacqy Rooney, who competed in track in high school, is a mother of four daughters, the youngest of whom is eight months old. Jacqy said that she received inspiration from the fallen heroes whom Folds of Honor pays tribute with scholarships to surviving family members.

"I really had a lot of fun and began to get tired after the 22nd mile," she said. "But, I started thinking about why we were in this race, about the families that Folds of Honor supports, about people like Brock Bucklin, and Trojan (Troy Gilbert). They can't be here to run with us. When I started to think about them and their sacrifice, I got stronger near the end."

Each PGA Professional runner accepted the challenge of not only preparing for a marathon -- 26 miles, 385 yards -- but also raising a minimum of $3,000 in donations while fitting the rigorous training into a typically exhaustive PGA Professional's daily routine.

"We really believe that we have started something that we can keep going, and involve more PGA Professionals," said Lofstead, 36, a native of Morgantown, W.Va. "There's one thing about preparing for this. You can't fake training for a marathon. What is so great is when you finish a Marine puts a medal around your neck."

The Folds of Honor Foundation, originated in 2007, provides post-secondary educational scholarships for children and spouses of military service men and women killed or disabled while serving our Great Nation. The Foundation's principal national fundraiser is Patriot Golf Day, which was conducted this past Labor Day weekend. Through 2008, more than $3 million has been raised and more than 550 scholarships distributed.

Rooney, a PGA Professional and F-16 fighter pilot with the Oklahoma Air National Guard, is a veteran of three tours of duty in Iraq.

Among the PGA Professionals entered in the marathon were: Scott Webb, coach at Cincinnati St. Tech & Community College, who turned in the lowest time among the group in 3 hours, 36 minutes, 2 seconds, placing 1706th.

Carolinas PGA Executive Director Ron Schmid of Myrtle Beach, S.C., who turned 60 two days after the marathon, finished in 5:21:42. Schmid was surprised by his daughter, Ann, 28, of Columbus, Ohio, who revealed the night before the race that she would run with her father. She finished in 5 hours, 31 minutes.

"I was totally caught off-guard when I saw Ann," said Schmid. "It was truly a special moment to greet her and then be there to meet her at the finish line. What I was not prepared for is the time commitment of a marathon. It was another full-time job."

Ron Schmid's close friend and training partner, Carolinas PGA Vice President Karl Kimball of Durham, N.C., 52, came home in 4:49.54. Schmid and Kimball together said that donations they raised will be $16,000.

Kimball is the PGA director of golf at Hillandale Golf Course in Durham, and recovered from knee surgery performed in March. He had no previous road race training experience before accepting the challenge of the Folds of Honor Marathon program.

"This experience went beyond the initiative of the Folds of Honor Foundation for me," said Kimball. "I was emotional three times during the race, and T-shirts people wore really hit home for me. One girl ahead of me wore a T-shirt honoring her brother, Jared, who died in Iraq in 1977. It had two words at the bottom -- 'My Hero.'

"This marathon and those for whom we ran goes beyond political convictions. It's about embracing those who answered the call of our country and who gave their lives for our safety. I kind of hit the wall at the 22-mile mark, but the cheering on the sidelines carried me through."