Far Hills, N.J. (July 31) – The United States Golf Association and the PGA of America have joined in backing the first Patriot Golf Day on Sept. 1, 2007. On that Saturday, each golfer at participating facilities will be asked to donate a dollar to support the Fallen Heroes Foundation and Wounded Warriors, Inc., tax exempt non-profit programs awarding educational scholarships and counseling to families who have had a parent wounded or killed in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Patriot Golf Day is the creation of Dan Rooney, a 34-year-old USGA and PGA member who has served two tours of duty in Iraq as an F-16 fighter pilot. He got the idea as a way to remember our true heroes: those who have died in military service.
A native of Oklahoma, Rooney is a golf professional who struggled on the smaller tours and in 1997 tried unsuccessfully to attain his PGA Tour card through qualifying school. After that failed attempt, he and his father, John, bought Grand Haven (Mich.) Golf Club, a fixer-upper golf course along the shores of Lake Michigan.
He hopes to raise millions of dollars for the foundation, between individual and corporate donations.
"Patriot Golf Day is a call to action – a call to American citizens to help the children of our fallen heroes," Rooney said. "Its success depends on the patriots who support it. I humbly ask for the assistance of the great men and women in the golf industry to help our families in this time of war. We have a wonderful opportunity to make a difference."
Promotional materials will be on display during the next month at golf shops and in golf magazines. Individuals can go online to www.PlayGolfAmerica.com for a listing of participating facilities. The listing will be updated daily.
"The United States Golf Association proudly supports this worthy cause," said USGA President Walter W. Driver Jr. "Thousands of our volunteers regularly give to the game and we hope the same spirit and generosity will prevail this day. Millions of golfers making a small contribution will make a large impact."
"The PGA is proud to have a member like Dan Rooney," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "When one of our own came to us with such a brilliant idea and rewarding cause, we wrapped our arms around it and said we would do whatever it takes to support him and give back to those who have given everything."
For more information on Patriot Golf Day, also contact www.FallenHeroesFoundation.org or www.WoundedWarriors.org.
USGA
The USGA is the national governing body of golf in this country and Mexico, a combined territory that includes more than half the game’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, maintains an official Handicap System and administers an ongoing "For the Good of the Game" grants program, which has allocated more than $53 million over 10 years to programs that seek to grow the game. For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org.
PGA of America
The PGA of America is the world’s largest working sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf professionals who are the recognized experts in rowing, teaching and managing the game of golf while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA sections nationwide.
Since its founding in 1916, the PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf promotions.
Today’s PGA professional is the public’s link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.
Contact:
Craig Smith (csmith@usga.org)
Web address: www.usga.org
USGA phone: (908) 234-2300
