National Golf Event over Labor Day Weekend Raises Scholarship Funds for Families of Wounded and Fallen Military Service Members
August 5, 2008 (Tulsa, OK) – The Folds of Honor Foundation, founded by Major Dan Rooney, Iraq War Veteran, F-16 fighter pilot, and PGA Golf Professional, is proud to announce its Second Annual “Patriot Golf Day” to be held this Labor Day Weekend, August 29 – September 1, 2008.
During the event, golfers playing at participating courses will be asked to add a minimum of $1 to their greens fees to help raise money for the Folds of Honor Scholarship Fund, which provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military service members disabled or killed in the line of duty. Last year, approximately 3,200 golf courses participated in the event – and more are expected to participate this year – helping to raise in excess of $1.1 million and making possible the awarding of approximately 200 scholarships.
Patriot Golf Day was created in partnership with the PGA of America and is jointly supported and conducted in coordination with the PGA and its network of more than 28,000 men and women professionals. Course locations are available at: http://www.patriotgolfday.com/
“This is an amazing expression of the love and admiration the golfing community has for our men and women in uniform and their families, and a statement of the importance of achieving dreams of an education,” said Major Rooney, who will report for his next tour of duty in Iraq as an F-16 pilot in the 125th Fighter Squadron of the Oklahoma Air National Guard immediately after the completion of Patriot Golf Day weekend. “We thank the PGA for its tireless support of our families.”
Patriot Golf Day also recognizes the essential support and participation of its Founding Sponsors the Air National Guard and TaylorMade-adidas Golf™; its Merchandise Partners Pima Direct, Softspikes, Pride Golf Tee, Ahead and Golf Pride®; and Promotional Partners Michelob and Michelob Light.
“We’re proud to support Patriot Golf Day and join in improving the lives of children who have been personally impacted by the consequences of war,” said Lt. Col Randy Johnson, Director, Air National Guard Recruiting and Retention. “This effort is a sum bigger than any of its parts, andMajor Dan Rooney epitomizesall that is great about the men and women who dedicate themselves to accomplishing the varied missions of the Air Guard.” The Air National Guard and its 106,700 members are providing unprecedented support to the cause. Hundreds of Air Guard members are expected to be on-site at golf courses across the country throughout Patriot Golf Day thanking its supporters.
“When we learned of Dan Rooney’s fundraising mission with Patriot Golf Day, it wasn’t a question of whether or not we would, but how much could we do to help,” said Mark King, president and CEO of TaylorMade-adidas Golf. “We hope the money raised from the auction of the TaylorMade limited edition drivers will positively impact families of servicemen and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom.”
TaylorMade-adidas Golf has created specially-designed, limited edition drivers inspired by the F-16 “Viper” fighter jet that Captain Rooney piloted during two tours in Iraq. The driver features the Patriot Golf Day Logo on the toe, a laser-etched F-16 jet on the sole, a deep “intimidation” black crown and a specially-designed Patriot Golf Day head cover in red, white and blue. Learn more about TaylorMade-adidas Golf and its brands at www.taylormadegolf.com and www.adidasgolf.com.
Pima Direct is honored to have been chosen by Major Dan Rooney as an official apparel supplier for Patriot Golf Day, and has developed a great collection of the finest in Luxury and Performance apparel to enhance the Patriot Golf Day excitement. A percentage of all proceeds will be donated to the Folds of Honor Foundation. All products will be shipped to golf shops with custom Patriot Golf Day branding and a table sign to identify the Patriot Golf Day promotion. Learn more at www.pimadirect.com.
PrideSports, maker of Softspikes® golf cleats – the world’s best selling golf cleat brand, Pride Golf Tees – the world’s best selling wooden golf tee brand, and Fast-Twist™ – the #1 insert system on the PGA TOUR will create specially-made USA-themed products, including red, white & blue Softspikes golf cleats, while donating a portion of proceeds back to the Foundation. Products will also include American Flag-printed wooden AmeriTees golf tees, EZ See Ball Markers printed with the American Flag, and red powder-coated divot repair tools, also printed with the American Flag.
Ahead, widely recognized as the headwear choice in the golfing industry, is also joining forces to create a line of Patriot Golf Day hats. A portion of the proceeds from all sales will be donated to the Folds of Honor Foundation. Learn more about Ahead at www.aheadweb.com.
In honor of Patriot Golf Day, Golf Pride has developed the Patriot™, a specially-designed red, white & blue all-rubber grip and will donate a portion of the proceeds from every grip sold to the Folds of Honor foundation. The Patriot grip will be available at retailers nationwide during Patriot Golf Day, beginning Labor Day weekend. For more information on where to find the Patriot grip, visit golfpride.com.
Anheuser-Busch has supported the military for more than 150 years, and is proud to have its Michelob and Michelob Light brands serve as promotional sponsors of Patriot Golf Day. Created more than a century ago as the “draught beer for connoisseurs,” the Michelob family of beers has a long history of supporting professional golf and golf enthusiasts. Michelob and Michelob Light are the official beer sponsors of the PGA TOUR, the Champions Tour and PGA TOUR star Sergio Garcia. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or www.michelob.com.
For more information about The Folds of Honor Foundation and Patriot Golf Day, go to http://www.patriotgolfday.com/ or www.foldsofhonor.org.
Contact:
Rubenstein Communications
Jody Fisher – 212-843-8296 / 347-419-0444 / jfisher@rubenstein.com
