PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – With pomp, circumstance and plenty of good old fashioned patriotism, the 3rd Annual Patriot Golf Day Weekend at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie was a stunning show, as nearly $17,000 was raised for the Folds of Honor Foundation. Patriot Golf Day events, held throughout Labor Day weekend, raise funds for the Folds of Honor Foundation which provides scholarships to the families of those military veterans who have become disabled or lost their lives while serving our great nation.
Fresh off an appearance on NBC Nightly News and from throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium, Patriot Golf Day Founder Maj. Dan Rooney, PGA, and Maj. Ed Pulido, V.P. of the Folds of Honor Foundation, kicked off a moving National Opening Ceremony at PGA Golf Club, on Sept. 5. The event drew a standing-room only crowd of 700 for a day of charity and remembrance through the goodwill of golf – with Rooney, Pulido and Distinguished Service Medal recipient Brig. Gen. Richard Vercauteren serving as co-grand marshals.
Following a parade down PGA Golf Club's Perfect Drive, members of the United States Marine Corps triumphantly appeared on a hill alongside the driving range to raise the American Flag. The particularly moving moment set the tone for an opening ceremony that featured everything from a bald eagle to color guards to the PGA Golf Club's yearly "21 Golf Ball Salute."
"I am so incredibly proud of what The PGA of America and PGA Village have accomplished to bring awareness and honor to the brave men and women who have served so honorably in our United States Military," said Bob Baldassari, PGA general manager for PGA Village. "For those who perished in the fight to protect our freedoms and gave the ultimate sacrifice, this is why we worked so hard to make Patriot Golf Day a success. The attendees were moved to emotions by the powerful images and spoken words that resonate and stir inside of us as American patriots."
"Patriot Golf Day is about what we have done together," said Maj. Rooney, who has flown three tours of duty in Iraq. "This grassroots effort has really taken hold and its impact is truly amazing. I'm grateful to The PGA of America and USGA for everything they have done to make Patriot Golf Day such a wonderful success."
Maj. Pulido recounted the emotional story of how he was forced to have a leg amputated – and nearly lost his life -- from an explosive while serving in Iraq. "As I layed down on the gurney on a road that was 125-degrees, I pulled out a picture of my daughter and wondered if this would be the last time I would ever see her face. I knew right then I had to do something for the families (of military victims)."
The John Shimkonis Memorial Medal Golf Tournament at PGA Golf Club, held in honor of the first PGA Professional to sacrifice his life while in service to his country, hosted a sold-out field of 144 participants for Patriot Golf Day – more than double last year's participation. Other events throughout the weekend included: 10-minute golf lessons, club fittings and fitness evaluations in exchange for a donation to the Folds of Honor Foundation; a 3-Hole Red, White and Blue Glow-in-the-Dark Golf Tournament at the PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance; a golf trick shot show by PGA Professional Kevin Compare and other family-oriented events.
The PGA of America's strong ties to the Armed Forces can be traced back to WWI, when The PGA purchased and maintained an ambulance for the Red Cross, and also asked clubs to hold positions open for PGA members that were serving their country. Brig. Gen. Vercauteren praised the relationship and similarities between the two groups.
"In golf, you never hit a shot on the course without a plan, much the same way that you would never go into battle without a plan," he said. "It is lessons like this that golf teaches you which will last a lifetime."
About PGA Village
The Ryder Course, Wanamaker Course and Dye Course form a trio of world-class public courses at the PGA Golf Club, at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Named by Golf Digest as one of the "75 Best Golf Resorts in North America," PGA Village also features the award-winning, 35-acre PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance (formerly the PGA Learning Center) and PGA Historical Center golf museum. The PGA Golf Club exists to be one of the premier daily fee facilities in America, and to serve as a home club for our 28,000 PGA Professionals. For more information, please visit pgavillage.com/stlucie.
About The PGA of America
Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.
By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry.
By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.
About Patriot Golf Day
The Folds of Honor Foundation's primary fundraiser is Patriot Golf Day, the largest grassroots golf platform in the country. With the support of the PGA of America and USGA, Patriot Golf Day has generated over $3 million from more than 3,700 golf courses in just two years.
Maj. Dan Rooney, founder of Folds of Honor, started Patriot Golf Day in 2007, by asking golfers to add $1 to their greens fees in support of the Folds of Honor Foundation. Since then, the concept has grown to include a number of supporters and fundraising efforts. In 2009, The PGA and USGA will continue to support the cause by encouraging their collective membership to participate and promote participation on a national scale through the airing of public service announcements during the PGA Championship and U.S. Open.
Patriot Golf Day 2009 will again be held during the Labor Day weekend, September 4-7. If you are interested in joining our mission to empower the lives of these deserving military families with educational opportunities, please contact the Folds of Honor Foundation or sign up to participate at patriotgolfday.com.
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