Patriot Golf Day
War Veteran Using Golf to Support Fallen Soldiers’ Families
The Fallen Heroes Foundation puts it best when they say that Patriot Golf Day is as much a call to action in our time as war bonds and rationing were in times past.
Captain Dan Rooney of the Oklahoma Air National Guard, and veteran of three tours of duty in Iraq, has taken on the task of establishing September 1, 2007 as Patriot Golf Day. On that day, all golfers will be asked to donate one dollar, at participating courses across America, by paying an extra dollar on their green fees. The money raised will be provided to the Fallen Heroes Foundation and Wounded Warriors, Inc., tax exempt non-profit programs awarding educational scholarships and counseling to families who have had a parent wounded or killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. Both also team-up with other like-minded organizations that assist the families of soldiers wounded or killed during military service.
Patriot Golf Day has tremendous potential. With the backing and support of the PGA of America, Golf Digest, National Association of Golf Course Owners, the University of Tulsa, the University of Oklahoma, CBS Sports, and others, the nationwide event should be a huge success. Also, CBS plans to run a Patriot Golf Day feature during their coverage of the PGA Championship.
Capt. Rooney, a former college and professional golfer, as well as many others, rightly feels that a small sacrifice has the potential to make a huge difference in the lives of surviving family members of soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. To Rooney, golf was the natural choice to achieve such a lofty goal on a national scale. A good choice it was. No other sport has such participation on a daily basis as golf. The sheer number of golfers makes it possible for a substantial amount of money to be raised.
In speaking of the fallen, says Captain Noonan, "They have given the ultimate sacrifice. America can come together in the spirit of golf and have a dramatic impact. We have an opportunity to make a difference for the families that have made the ultimate sacrifice."
As the number of fallen soldiers mounts, golfers and the golf industry can make an amazing and near immediate impact for each family who has experienced a devastating loss. Golfers and non-golfers alike can learn more about Patriot Golf Day, or simply how to donate, by visiting the web sites of the Fallen Heroes Foundation and Wounded Warriors, Inc. Participating golf courses can be located at PlayGolfAmerica.com.
For more charity golf and other golf-related articles, visit the Suite 101 Golf homepage. One dollar will go unnoticed by the donor, but the collective impact on these families of millions of charity golf donations will be immense.
