Leading U.S. Golf Organizations Support Patriot Golf Days: Folds of Honor and PGA of America in Helping Veterans and Military Families

Folds of Honor and the PGA of America announced today that they will be joined by the USGA, PGA Tour and LPGA in providing assistance and awareness for Patriot Golf Days this Memorial Day Weekend. Patriot Golf Days provides funding in support of Veterans and military families through Folds of Honor and PGA HOPE, the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America.

Patriot Golf Days began as a grassroots fundraising celebration in 2007, and over the last 15 years, it has grown to encompass a variety of fundraising efforts led by PGA Professionals and golfers in all 50 states. 

These efforts have accounted for over $60 million and funded more than 12,000 scholarships to help Veterans, their spouses and children, but there remains a significant unmet need in the country. Over 6,000 U.S. troops were killed and approximately 52,000 were wounded in the 20 years the United States was at war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Among military dependents, only a fraction receive educational assistance. Funds donated over the holiday weekend are used in the local community where the money is raised. 

Since inception, PGA HOPE has served over 10,000 Veterans in 46 states. Led by more than 200 PGA Professionals, PGA HOPE will serve more than 7,500 Veterans in 2022.  

“For the golf community to join the PGA of America and Folds of Honor is a powerful force multiplier,” said Lt Col Dan Rooney, PGA, founder and CEO of Folds of Honor. “This new coalition understands that freedom is not free and is united in our commitment to serve our Veterans and their families. The PGA Tour,  LPGA and longtime supporter USGA make significant impacts in the communities that they serve, and joining us on Patriot Golf Days on Memorial Day Weekend will further expand that effort.”

Folds of Honor is a nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The 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 over 35,000 scholarships totaling over $160 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 41 percent are minorities. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum on GuideStar. 

"We’re especially proud that our 28,000 PGA Professionals have raised millions of charitable dollars through Patriot Golf Days for our nation’s heroes and their families since we first announced our commitment at the 2007 PGA Championship at Southern Hills,” said PGA President Jim Richerson. “Having these influential organizations join in to back this critically important effort points to how closely aligned the golf community is in our support of our Veterans and their families. With the PGA of America leading the way, we are able to further the impact of both PGA HOPE and Folds of Honor, as we raise additional funds through the game of golf in support of those who stand to defend our country."

PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. The program introduces the game of golf through a developmental 6-8 week curriculum taught by PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. All programs are funded by PGA REACH and supplemented by PGA Section Foundations, so the cost of programming is free to all Veterans.

PGA HOPE has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which enables Recreational Therapists to refer Veterans to the PGA HOPE program as a form of therapy. Through a robust program strategy, PGA HOPE aspires to create a physically and emotionally healthier Veteran community by shaping lives, changing lives, and possibly saving lives through the game of golf.