Third Annual Patriot Golf Day Raises More Than $1.9 Million

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- More than 4,400 golf facilities across the country registered to participate in the third annual Patriot Golf Day, and thanks to the PGA Professionals' and USGA Members' efforts, some $1.9 million has been raised to benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation.

Patriot Golf Day, jointly supported by The PGA of America and the United States Golf Association, is the primary fundraiser for the Folds of Honor Foundation which provides post-secondary educational scholarships for children and spouses of military service men and women killed or disabled while serving our great nation. A total of 569 educational scholarships have been awarded by the Folds of Honor in the last two years.

Patriot Golf Day was originated by Major Dan Rooney, an F-16 pilot, PGA Professional and USGA Member from Broken Arrow, Okla., who has served three tours of duty in Iraq. During Labor Day weekend at participating courses nationwide, golfers were asked to donate at least $1 for each round of golf. Non-golfers participated by making a donation to the foundation at its Web site at FoldsofHonor.com. As a proud supporter and Official Card of Patriot Golf Day, American Express donated an additional $100,000 to support the Folds of Honor Foundation by matching donations made using American Express® Cards during Patriot Golf Day Weekend.

In the last three years, PGA Professionals and USGA Members have been instrumental in raising more than $5.1 million by hosting Patriot Golf Day events at their facilities. The inaugural Patriot Golf Day was held Sept. 1, 2007, and resulted in donations of more than $1.1 million. The second annual event was held over Labor Day weekend (Aug. 29 - Sept. 1, 2008), and raised more than $2.1 million in donations, including donations of $130,000 from Captain Paul Azinger and the 12 members of the victorious U.S. Ryder Cup Team.

"It is so rewarding to see that 569 children and/or spouses of those who have been killed or injured due to their military service are getting educational opportunities, thanks to the selfless fundraising efforts of our PGA Professionals, USGA Members and amateur golfers across the country," said PGA of America President Jim Remy. "The game of golf raises $3.5 billion each year for various charities and The PGA of America is proud to be able to promote and support the mission of the Folds of Honor."

PGA Professionals nationwide reached out to their respective club members and engaged their communities to participate in innovative programs during Patriot Golf Day Weekend (Sept. 4-7).

Among the fundraising efforts, the Carolinas PGA Section raised more than $145,000 at its facilities with the Country Club of Sapphire Valley in Cashiers, N.C., turning in more than $20,000. PGA Professional Abe Hernandez of Royal Oaks Country Club in Dallas, raised more than $22,000 by selling $50 raffle tickets for an opportunity to win a 2009 Victory Kingpin motorcycle featuring the signatures from many of the most prominent sports stars in Dallas, along with PGA Tour professionals including Justin Leonard, Anthony Kim, Adam Scott and 2010 U.S. Ryder Cup Team Captain Corey Pavin.

"The Northern Texas PGA Section believed in what I was doing," Hernandez said. "With the support and encouragement of Royal Oaks Head Professional Randy Smith and our club members, I knew that this would be a big year."

Fundraising also hit the open road for a unique added initiative, Oct. 25, with PGA Professionals representing 13 PGA Sections combining to raise $80,000 for the Folds of Honor Foundation and Section charitable foundations as competitors in the 34th Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. More than 21,000 runners competed in the Marine Corps Marathon, including a contingent of 26 runners, 16 of which were PGA Professionals competing for their respective PGA Sections, their family members and friends. The PGA of America presence was coordinated by South Florida PGA Executive Director Geoff Lofstead of Coral Springs, Fla.

Individuals interested in contributing to the Folds of Honor Foundation, and those applying for scholarships should visit FoldsofHonor.com.

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 multi-billion dollar 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. To learn more, visit pga.com or PlayGolfAmerica.com.

The USGA is the national governing body of golf in the USA and Mexico, a combined territory that includes more than half the world's golfers and golf courses. The USGA annually conducts the U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open, U.S. Senior Open, 10 national amateur and two state team championships. It also helps conduct the Walker Cup Match, Curtis Cup Match and World Amateur Team Championships. 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®, celebrates the history of the game, and administers an ongoing "For the Good of the Game" grants program, which has allocated more than $65 million over 13 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) charitable organization that provides post-secondary educational scholarships for children and spouses of military service men and women killed or disabled while serving our great nation. Visit FoldsofHonor.com for more information.