Patriot Golf Day: An easy way to help others

Mike Dudurich

Posted 2009-09-01

It is on rare occasions that a convergence of two completely different enterprises comes together so magnificently.

A rather simplistic idea, Patriot Golf Day combines something we love to do (play golf) and something we passionately defend (patriotism). It’s the brainchild of a man of great diversity, a PGA golf professional, an F-16 fighter pilot , father of four.

Dan Rooney, not the owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the Broken Arrow, Oklahoma resident who’s in the Air National Guard, gives credit for the program to a group of concerned Americans. But it was a life-changing experience that convinced Rooney of the need for something like Patriot Golf Day.

On a flight to Grand Blanc, Michigan a few years ago, Rooney sat and listened as the pilot asked passengers to remain seated while the remains of a soldier, Cpl. Brock Bucklin, turned over to his family. He was struck by the site of the soldier’s parents and his son, standing in the rain on the tarmac, watching as his coffin was unloaded from the plane.

"It's now etched forever in my mind, the reality of what is happening to a generation," he says now and it was an instant reminder of a war in which he had been so closely involved. And he decided to do something about it.

From that experience came the basic idea. At courses across the country, golfers were asked to do what they normally do on a weekend: go play a round (or rounds) of golf and add at least a dollar to the normal greens fee. At the end of the day, all funds generated were donated to the Folds of Honor Foundation.

Through that organization, college scholarships were awarded to dependents and spouses of soldiers wounded or killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The numbers have been phenomenal. In 2007, donations totaled more than $1.1 million. Last year, nearly $2 million was raised. The number of facilities participating in the event started out at around 3,000 but this year will be close to 5,000.

One of the interesting aspects of the program is its’ “future-use” scholarships. Rooney’s organization says that the average age of dependents who lose a parent in Iraq is 5-8 years old. College seems far away. But through the Folds of Honor, college becomes much closer, much more of a reality.

This year’s event will be held over Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4-7. At public courses, private clubs as well as a variety of other golf facilities, recreational players will be doing wonders for people they don’t even know, who have suffered life’s greatest losses.

"There are thousands of patriots who joined us for this great cause in 2008," said Rooney. "They are my wingmen. I was once again very humbled to be witness to their tremendous generosity and passion. I look forward to another great year in 2009 and know that the wingmen will grow as we support so many deserving families of American heroes."

An added bonus to this weekend’s event will be American Express matching each donation made on a valid American Express Card to the Folds of Honor Foundation.

"I am very proud to say that my fellow PGA professionals and USGA members have full heartedly answered the call to support Patriot Golf Day and together, we are making dreams come true for the families of those who have paid the ultimate price by helping them fund their education," Rooney said.

Rooney has served three tours of duty in the seat of his F-16 as a member of the 125th Fighter Squadron of the Oklahoma Air National Guard.

“I’m just a humble, ordinary guy who has been incredibly blessed with extraordinary opportunities to serve this country,” Rooney said. “Patriots come in many different shapes and forms and ways. I know now that this is my purpose, my true calling in life. This is what I’m supposed to do.”

Rooney’s message and enthusiasm have obviously struck a chord with golf at all levels. Last year, the 12 members of the United States Ryder Cup team, led by captain Paul Azinger, donated $130,000.

Several universities have also joined the cause, pledging a number of full tuition scholarships to Folds of Honor Foundation. This money will be earmarked for students who qualify for assistance through the foundation. Among those are: Grand Valley State University, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Tulsa.

Golfers and non-golfers can learn more about Patriot Golf Day at www.FoldsofHonor.com.

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About Mike...
As a sports writer for over 35 years, Mike Dudurich has seen a lot of great things, covered spectacular events, but his passion is, and has been golf. He recently ended a 29-year career at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and will now be a frequent contributor on GolfGearReview.com. Mike hosts a weekly golf radio show on 1250 ESPN in Pittsburgh from the beginning of April through the end of August. The show airs Saturdays from 8-9 a.m. and can be heard online at http://stations.espn.go.com/stations/espnradio1250/show?showId=insidepghgolf - Listen to Mike Here!.

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