PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The nation’s first Patriot Golf Day, a joint initiative of The PGA of America and the United States Golf Association, will be conducted Sept. 1, and enlist the support of public and private golf facilities across the country.
On Sept. 1, public golf courses nationwide will request an additional $1 for each green fee they process, while private facilities will ask patrons to contribute donations. The funds will go to support families of those who have become disabled or lost their lives in the line of military duty.
PGA Professional Dan Rooney of Stillwater, Okla., is spearheading the program to raise funds through the organization, Wounded Warriors, Inc. (www.WoundedWarriors.org). In addition, Rooney is in the process of establishing The Fallen Heroes Foundation, which will pay for the education of children who have lost a parent in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Wounded Warriors, Inc.’s mission is to provide support to the families of those who have been wounded, injured or killed during combat operations. The organization owns family-friendly resort condominiums in Orlando, Florida and Galveston, Texas, where war-torn families can retreat to restore peace and solace to their lives after the trauma they have endured.
"Patriot [Golf] Day is a call to action – a call to American citizens to help the children of our Fallen Heroes," said Rooney. "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."
Rooney is both an F-16 pilot in the 125th Fighter Squadron of the Oklahoma Air National Guard and a member of The PGA of America. Rooney and his father, John, became the owners of Grand Haven Golf Course in Michigan in 1998, and the younger Rooney spends about 20 days per month at the course and the other 10 days flying.
Rooney has logged two tours to Iraq, and following his most recent tour he began to think of ways he could stay involved in the war effort.
"The PGA of America is proud to have a member like Dan Rooney," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "The PGA of America’s purpose is to support our member professionals, and 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."
"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."
For more information or to make a donation, visit www.PlayGolfAmerica.com or www.FallenHeroesFoundation.org.
About The 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 growing, 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.
About the 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.
Contact:
Ashley L. Plant
561/624-7671
aplant@pgahq.com