By Bert Leeson 
May 29, 2024
DUBLIN, Ohio – Officials of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday announced today, in partnership with Folds of Honor and the PGA TOUR, the details surrounding the launch of Folds of Honor Friday. The new Folds of Honor program supported TOUR-wide will officially debut on June 7 during Friday’s second round of the Memorial Tournament at world-renowned Muirfield Village Golf Club.
Folds of Honor Friday recognizes the commitment and sacrifice of military service members and first responders who guard our freedoms and protect our communities. It is an inspiring new experience for fans, players, caddies, sponsors, volunteers, and Tournament staff to engage on-site through a shared connection and appreciation of those heroes who preserve our freedoms and protect our families.
The new initiative will be activated on Fridays at select tournaments on the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, and the Korn Ferry Tour.
Folds of Honor Friday activations will include, but are not limited to, the following: The playing of the National Anthem; individuals at the golf course wearing red, white and blue; and ribbons with pins provided on-site. Moreover, 13 educational scholarships will be awarded in the local market of all PGA TOUR-sanctioned events that participate in Folds of Honor Friday.
“It’s our privilege to support Lt Col Dan Rooney and Folds of Honor through the new Folds of Honor Friday initiative,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Lt Col Rooney and his team are doing incredible work to provide scholarships to children and spouses of disabled service members and those who have lost loved ones. We appreciate all they have done for our U.S. service members and first responders and we’re honored to play a small part in those efforts moving forward.”
At the Memorial Tournament, all are encouraged to wear red, white and blue on Friday as an outward display of unity and an inward commitment to meeting sacrifice with hope for the families of America’s fallen or disabled military and first responders. In addition, the Patriot Parachute Team will execute a flag jump on the 18th hole as the National Anthem is performed immediately following the conclusion of the second round of play. Folds of Honor Friday at the Memorial Tournament will also include official Folds of Honor ribbon pins and challenge coins that will be proudly distributed and displayed throughout the inspirational day.
“Folds of Honor Friday is a perfect addition to the week here at the Memorial,” said Tournament Executive Director Dan Sullivan. “It is an honor to shine a spotlight on the incredible impact that Lt Col Dan Rooney and Folds of Honor have generated for the families of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders. This new initiative further enhances the programs that the Memorial Tournament offers through Wednesday’s Salute to Service Day, and provides increased opportunities for the Memorial and our fans to celebrate America and support those that serve.”
Folds of Honor was founded by Lt Col Dan Rooney, history’s only F-16 pilot to also become a PGA Golf Professional. Folds of Honor provides educational scholarships to the children and spouses of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders. Since its inception in 2007, it has awarded over 52,000 scholarships valued at about $244 million. The need remains great. Last year, Folds of Honor awarded a record of over 9,300 scholarships, however, thousands of qualified applicants went unfunded. After receiving a record 18,000 scholarship applications for the 2024-25 academic year, it’s likely that at least 5,000 qualified applicants will go unfunded.
“I salute the PGA TOUR, Jack Nicklaus, and the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday for leading the charge on Folds of Honor Friday,” said Lt Col Dan Rooney, founder and CEO of Folds of Honor.
“This marks the beginning of a tradition by formally bringing the National Anthem to the PGA TOUR on Fridays,” Rooney added. “It’s a moment of unity that brings together players and fans to recognize the selfless sacrifice of our military, first responders and their families. By wearing red, white and blue, and specially-designed ribbons on Fridays, we demonstrate our respect and appreciation for these dedicated men and women. It honors our heroes and their commitment to protect our country and communities.”
Because of the Memorial’s inclusion in Folds of Honor Friday, 13 individuals in the Columbus area will receive academic scholarships on behalf of the Tournament.
The Memorial Tournament presented by Workday is June 3-9 at world-renowned Muirfield Village Golf Club.
Tickets for the 2024 Memorial Tournament are available for purchase by contacting the Tournament Ticket Office 9 a.m.-5 p.m. EDT weekdays at 877-MT BADGE (877-682-2343) or by visiting www.memorialtickets.com. Children 15 and under can attend the Tournament for free with a ticketed adult. Daily practice round tickets for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are also available. The cost is $60, and they are valid for all three practice-round days.
For more information about the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday, please visit thememorialtournament.com. For the latest news and updates on social media, follow the Tournament on X and Instagram at @MemorialGolf and on Facebook at Facebook.com/theMemorialTournament.
About the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday
The Memorial Tournament presented by Workday is held annually at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus. The Tournament, founded and hosted by Jack Nicklaus, is conducted each year with three goals in mind: to honor the memory of individuals living and deceased who have distinguished themselves in the game of golf; to showcase the world’s best golfers competing on one of the most challenging venues in the world for the enjoyment of spectators; and to benefit many Greater Columbus Charities in alliance with the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation and numerous other local organizations. For more information, visit www.thememorialtournament.com or call 614-889-6700.
About Workday
Workday is a leading enterprise platform that helps organizations manage their most important assets – their people and money. The Workday platform is built with AI at the core to help customers elevate people, supercharge work, and move their business forever forward. Workday is used by more than 10,500 organizations around the world and across industries – from medium-sized businesses to more than 60% of the Fortune 500. For more information about Workday, visit workday.com.
About Folds of Honor
Folds of Honor is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of US military service members and first responders who have fallen or been disabled while serving our country and communities. Our 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 52,000 scholarships totaling about $244 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 45 percent are minorities. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum on Candid. It was founded by Lt Col Dan Rooney, the only-ever F-16 fighter pilot (with three combat tours in Iraq) and PGA Professional. He is currently stationed at Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service Detachment 1, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. For more information or to donate in support of a Folds of Honor scholarship visit foldsofhonor.org
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