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Golfers Give Back: Thousands of Courses Across America Host Patriot Golf Day to Help Support Military Families

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Labor Day has always been a time to recognize career achievements of American workers, but for the families of military service men and women killed or disabled while serving our great nation, Labor Day carries a special significance. For the fourth consecutive year, thousands of golf facilities nationwide will participate in Patriot Golf Day®, over Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 3-6), collecting donations and raising awareness for the Folds of Honor Foundation. Patriot Golf Day is jointly supported by The PGA of America and the United States Golf Association.

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Patriot Golf Day, the primary fundraiser for the Folds of Honor Foundation, seeks to honor the sacrifice of American heroes as an annual event to raise money for post-secondary educational scholarships for children and spouses of military service men and women killed or disabled while serving our great nation. Through events across the country since 2007, PGA Professionals have helped raise more than $5.3 million, allowing the Folds of Honor Foundation to award 1,163 post-secondary educational scholarships.

During Labor Day weekend at participating public courses, golfers are asked to donate at least $1 for each round of golf. Participating private facilities will accept donations. Non-golfers can also participate by making a donation to the foundation at its Web site at FoldsofHonor.org. As a proud supporter and Official Card of Patriot Golf Day, American Express will match donations made using an American Express® Card(1) during Patriot Golf Day Weekend (Sept. 3-6) to support the Folds of Honor Foundation.

"Our PGA Professionals have been on board since Day One and have helped raise millions of dollars for these deserving families of our wounded and fallen American heroes," PGA of America President Jim Remy said. "What a wonderful opportunity for people to give back to those who have given everything while serving our great nation."

There are 172,000 dependents of fallen and wounded military service men and women from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts alone, and 85 percent of those dependents do not qualify for federal educational assistance. Patriot Golf Day allows the Folds of Honor to present an ongoing tribute to our brave service members by ensuring that the families of fallen and wounded warriors have hope for the right educational start to life and best future possible.

Major Dan Rooney, a PGA Professional, USGA member and F-16 military pilot with the Oklahoma Air National Guard, founded the Folds of Honor Foundation following his second of three tours of duty in Iraq. After witnessing the tragic homecoming of a fallen American solider, Rooney was inspired to start Folds of Honor to provide support to military families in the aftermath of their tragedies.

Other major supporters of Patriot Golf Day include Lifelock, Titleist, Bushnell, AHEAD, Inc., Golf Pride, Pima Direct, PrideSports, St. Andrews Products and Jerky John's. To find out more information about these products and their support of Patriot Golf Day, visit FoldsofHonor.org.

PlayGolfAmerica.com, PatriotGolfDay.com, FoldsofHonor.org

(1) American Express will match each donation made on a valid American Express Card to the Folds of Honor Foundation during Patriot Golf Day weekend up to a maximum total of $150,000. Matching contributions from American Express are not tax deductible for Cardmembers.

SOURCE PGA of America