Biata, PGA, named Director of Patriot Golf Day for FHF

OWASSO, Okla. -- The Folds of Honor Foundation (FHF) is proud to announce that Tony Biata, PGA, has joined the staff as Director of Patriot Golf Day. Biata, a PGA Professional since 1992, brings a wealth of experience to the position, having hosted successful Patriot Golf Day events in the Central New York PGA Section.

Biata joined FHF last June, helping direct the most successful Patriot Golf Day campaign in its five-year history, raising a record amount of more than $3.9 million.

As Director of Patriot Golf Day, Biata will serve as a liaison between The PGA of America and the Folds of Honor Foundation to assist the 27,000 PGA/LPGA members in growing public awareness of Patriot Golf Day. His main objective is to inform golfers nation-wide that Patriot Golf Day, although initially developed as a Labor Day initiative, is quickly becoming a year-round event where courses can individually design their own model of how best to support the foundation's mission.

"Tony is an experienced PGA Professional with a heart for making a difference," Major Dan Rooney, FHF Founder and President said. "He is already making an impact within Folds of Honor with Patriot Golf Day, one of our biggest initiatives, and we could not be more excited to add him to our team."

Before joining the FHF staff, Biata was the head professional at ParBreakers Golf Center in Auburn, New York. An active member of the Central New York PGA Section, Biata served in every official capacity as a board member, secretary/treasurer, vice president, president and most recently, honorary president. Biata and his wife, Laurel, along with son, Michael, reside in Owasso, Okla.

"The best part about my job is that I get to honor two of the most prestigious things in my life outside of my family and my God - my country and my association," said Biata. "To be able to service both, for me, is truly an honor."

About Patriot Golf Day:
Patriot Golf Day, jointly supported by The PGA of America and the USGA, is the primary fundraiser for the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides educational scholarships for children and spouses of military service men and women killed or disabled while serving our great nation. More than 2,600 educational scholarships have been awarded by Folds of Honor since its inception in 2007. Through the support of PGA Professionals and United States Golf Association (USGA) Members, Patriot Golf Day Weekend events have raised a record amount of more than $3.9 million (in 2011) to benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation, bringing the five-year total to more than $12.7 million. In September, the sixth Annual Patriot Golf Day will give golfers an opportunity to honor our American heroes and their families by making donations at participating golf facilities nationwide.

About the Folds of Honor Foundation:
Major Dan Rooney, a PGA Professional, USGA member and former F-16 military pilot with the Oklahoma Air National Guard, founded the Folds of Honor Foundation in 2007 following his second of three tours of duty in Iraq. While a passenger on a commercial flight, Major Rooney witnessed an event that would profoundly change his life. As the plane landed, the pilot announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have an American hero on board - Corporal Brock Bucklin - and his twin brother, Corporal Brad Bucklin, is accompanying him home from Iraq. As a sign of respect, please remain seated while Corporal Bucklin's family receives him in his final homecoming." Major Rooney watched through the window of the plane as the flag-draped casket was lowered. He saw a family waiting for Brock, and a little four-year old boy waiting for his father. This tragic homecoming inspired Major Rooney to create the Folds of Honor Foundation.

As of January 2012, more than one million dependents have been affected by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Of these, 87 percent do not qualify for federal scholarship assistance. Individuals interested in contributing to the Folds of Honor, and those applying for scholarships should go to FoldsofHonor.com.