HONORING THEIR SACRIFICE, EDUCATING THEIR LEGACY.
Of the one million-plus dependents adversely affected by deployments, nearly nine out of 10 do not qualify for federal scholarship assistance. Since 2007, the Folds of Honor has carried forth this singular, noble mission. To close the gap, providing educational support to spouses and children of America’s fallen and wounded soldiers.
Founder, Folds of Honor Foundation
Major Dan Rooney is the founder of the Folds of Honor Foundation and Patriot Golf Day, a former F-16 pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, a golf course owner, and a PGA Professional. He was also the only motivational team speaker for the recent US Ryder Cup team in Wales, an amazing opportunity that has been historically reserved for Presidents.
Folds of Honor Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides scholarships to the spouses and children of military service members disabled or killed in action. Patriot Golf Day, Folds of Honor’s flagship fundraising event and one of the largest grassroots fundraising efforts in sport’s history, is a collaborative effort with The PGA of America and the USGA. In its first five years, Patriot Golf Day raised over $12.8 million in donations from golfers nationwide, with more than 2,600 scholarships awarded to the family members of soldiers killed or disabled in combat.
For his work with Folds of Honor, Rooney has received the White House’s Presidential Volunteer Service Award, the Air National Guard’s Distinguished Service Medal, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and the PGA of America’s first-ever Patriot Award. He has also been recognized as one of People Magazine’s Heroes of the Year and one of ABC World News Tonight’s Persons of the Year.
A Major in the Air National Guard and a decorated military aviator, Rooney has served three combat tours in Iraq. He is a two-time recipient of the “Top Gun” award and was honored with the “Spirit of Attack” award as a top graduate of F-16 training. He has received many decorations to include the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Medal, Anti-terrorism Medal, Combat Readiness Medal and Air Expeditionary Medal.
Rooney founded The Patriot, a Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed course near Tulsa, Okla. The Patriot also is home to the Folds of Honor Foundation headquarters. The Patriot is a significant donor to the Folds of Honor Foundation and host course of the Patriot Cup.