Patriot Golf Day Produces More Than $1.1 Million to Support Families of Wounded, Fallen Warriors

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., Dec. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The inaugural Patriot Golf Day, inspired by Capt. Dan Rooney, a PGA Professional and USGA member from Broken Arrow, Okla., has resulted in donations of more than $1.1 million to support the families of veterans who have been injured or perished in the line of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan.

The nationwide campaign, conducted Sept. 1, was originated by Rooney, founder of the Fallen Heroes Foundation. Patriot Golf Day is jointly supported by The PGA of America and the USGA. This past year, contributions were received from more than 3,200 golf facilities nationwide. On Patriot Golf Day, golfers at public facilities added an extra dollar to their greens fee, and private facilities asked for donations.

Patriot Golf Day will be renewed in 2008 during Labor Day weekend, Aug. 29 -- Sept. 1, before Rooney reports in the fall for his third tour of Iraq as an F-16 pilot in the 125th Fighter Squadron of the Oklahoma Air National Guard.

"I contended all along that there are patriots lying latent all over the country," said Rooney, a 34-year-old father of three daughters, who is president of Falcon Golf XVI Management Company, which is developing a course -- The Patriot -- in Owasso, Okla. "We gave golfers something that fit into their schedule.

"I have a direction and a purpose in life. There is no doubt every decision I've made has brought me to this point. It is amazing what has transpired in a short time and how there is a vision and a passion by so many to support this."

Rooney said that the initial Patriot Golf Day scholarships to children of veterans will be awarded in the spring of 2008 to aid students beginning in the fall semester. Participating facilities will be listed on www.PlayGolfAmerica.com. Individuals interested in contributing to the Fallen Heroes Foundation, and those applying for scholarships should visit www.fallenheroesfoundation.org.

"You can't help but feel uplifted by the generosity and spirit of Dan Rooney, a true American hero and someone who has generated the same patriotism in so many throughout the country," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "Patriot Golf Day is an ongoing effort by everyone in the golf industry to support the families of our fallen and injured heroes who have sacrificed for us."