Inaugural Patriot Golf Day Tournament at Medinah Country Club Deemed a Major Success

More than 200 guests participated in the Inaugural Patriot Golf Day Tournament, July 8, at Medinah Country Club, in what officials tabbed as the largest individual event supporting the Folds of Honor Foundation. The tournament was part of a Folds of Honor Week in Chicago. The overall activities for Folds of Honor Week raised over $100,000 in donations for families of wounded and fallen service members. During the event, Lifelock, the title sponsor, formalized its earlier pledge of $100,000 to Folds of Honor, which was separate from the event's overall fundraising. Lifelock made its pledge in a check presentation by CEO Todd Davis, who was joined by Folds of Honor Founder and PGA Professional, Major Dan Rooney; Vice President of Programs and Military Affairs Major Ed Pulido; and President Ginny Creveling. The golf tournament featured the Chicago Bears' Tommie Harris and Johnny Knox, who was associated with Pros For Vets; Jarrett Payton (son of the late NFL legend, Walter Payton) along with Chicago media, business leaders and Medinah members. Davis was joined by Medinah PGA Head professional Mike Scully and Rooney in hitting the ceremonial first tee shots to open the tournament. "We're very proud to stand side-by-side with the Folds of Honor Foundation to help raise funds for scholarships and bring awareness to the Foundation. LifeLock is committed to help Major Dan Rooney and the Foundation achieve its mission whether through special events, or, just being there to support everyday efforts," said Davis. "I was touched by the special event at Medinah Country Club outside Chicago last week where I had the opportunity to see firsthand the families these scholarships assist, as well as hear more about the men and women who served our country bravely but now need these scholarships so their spouses or children can complete an education." The fourth annual Patriot Golf Day will be conducted through the Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3-6, at golf facilities nationwide. Folds of Honor is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a mission to empower deserving military families with educational support and opportunities. FHF provides post-secondary educational scholarships to the spouses and children of service members disabled or killed as a result of their military service to our great nation. The Medinah Patriot Golf Day Tournament was co-hosted by the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation, with Payton family represented by Connie Payton, widow of Walter, and his children Jarrett, his wife Trisha, and daughter, Brittney. "I am very proud that Medinah Country Club now has the honor of being the largest individual Patriot Golf Day fundraising event," said Medinah Country Club Tournament Chairman Mark Slaby. "Many volunteers worked tirelessly to make this a very special day for everyone. In our first year, we sold out the venue, and most importantly provided scholarships to deserving children and spouses. "With the continued assistance of more corporate sponsors we will ensure next year will be an even bigger event and will allow us to provide more scholarship money for the children and spouses of military service men and women killed or wounded while serving our country. Many thanks to all those who participated. We all made a difference on July 8." The event also received the support of the Illinois PGA Section, including executive director Michael Miller, senior director of operations Bill Ibrahim and director of media and communications Mike Schoaf. "One of our goals for 2010 Patriot Golf Day was to support a pacesetter event that could demonstrate best practices that other golf facilities can follow or tailor make into their own best practices," said Creveling. "Our great friends at Medinah did that for us! From the start, they sought a broad donor base and focused on the scholarship recipients, and they messaged that with the perfect theme – 'Who Are You Playing For?' "