Golfers, foundation supporters, and community leaders will gather on Thursday, September 10th, at Lost Tracks Golf Club in Bend, Oregon, for a charity golf tournament benefitting Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders. The scholarships that are provided from the day will remain in the local community.
The event is scheduled one day prior to the 25th anniversary of 9/11, highlighting the sacrifices made by military and first responders. Play begins at 9:30 AM PDT for the four-person teams. Lunch will be served during the round and Hors d’oeuvres will be available at the conclusion of play.
Hosting the event will be Club owner and former PGA of America President (2006-2008) Brian Whitcomb. Whitcomb was instrumental in the success of Patriot Golf Days, encouraging Folds of Honor founder and CEO Lt Col Dan Rooney to undertake the program. The nationwide golf initiative is held over Memorial Day weekend. Since its inception in 2007 and through 2025, Patriot Golf Days, a partnership between Folds of Honor and the PGA of America, has accounted for over 200,000 rounds, provided more than 25,000 scholarships, and raised more than $125 million.
“I was there at the beginning with Lt Col Dan, and I’m amazed and gratified how Patriot Golf Days and Folds of Honor have grown,” Whitcomb said. “To be able to utilize our golf course to honor American heroes and help families that have sacrificed so much is a blessing.”
“Brian Whitcomb was the President of the PGA of America, and I called and he answered,” said Folds of Honor founder and CEO Lt Col Dan Rooney. “That was the start of Patriot Golf Days and Folds of Honor. Without Brian’s support it’s likely Folds of Honor and the 85,000 scholarships we’ve awarded never happens. He is the vessel that paved the way and has remained a deep rudder for the last 19 years. His friendship and council are unrivaled.”
Whitcomb serves on the Folds of Honor Board.
Speaking at the tournament will be Alexis Pearson, who was Folds of Honor’s initial first responder scholarship recipient. The foundation added first responders to the mission in 2022. Pearson graduated from Oregon State with a BS in civil engineering. She works at a civil engineering consulting firm as a civil technician. Her father, Captain David Pearson, worked in Eugene and Portland and held the ranks of engineer and lieutenant before becoming the captain of the Hazardous Material Team. After over 21 years as an active-duty firefighter, he became seriously ill and passed away on March 1, 2020.
For more information, please contact Megan McCright at megan.whitcomb@yahoo.com.
About Folds of Honor
Folds of Honor is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of US military service members and first responders who have fallen or been disabled while serving our country and communities. Our educational scholarships support private school tuition or tutoring in grades K-12, tuition for college, technical or trade school and post-graduate work, including a master’s degree, doctorate, or professional program. Funds for a second bachelor’s degree or trade/technical program certification are also available. Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 73,000 scholarships totaling over $340 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 43 percent are minorities and 57 percent female. A total of 91 percent of expenses fund our mission of providing educational scholarships to the families of our nation’s heroes. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum on Candid. It was founded by Lt Col Dan Rooney, the only-ever F-16 fighter pilot (with three combat tours in Iraq) and PGA Professional. He is serving as Commander of Recruiting for the Oklahoma Air Guard. For more information or to donate in support of a Folds of Honor scholarship visit foldsofhonor.org.
