There are moments that change everything. For Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, that moment came while returning from his second tour of duty in Iraq. As his flight landed, the pilot announced they were carrying the remains of Corporal Brock Bucklin. Rooney watched from his seat as Bucklin’s twin brother walked solemnly alongside the flag-draped casket to meet the family on the tarmac. Among them was Bucklin’s young son, Jacob.
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That night left an indelible mark. And it sparked a mission that has since touched tens of thousands of lives. Rooney founded Folds of Honor with a simple but powerful goal: to meet sacrifice with hope.
Since 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded more than 52,000 educational scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military service members. And today, that mission has grown to include first responders.
A game that gives back
Golf has been a cornerstone of the Folds of Honor mission from the very beginning. What started with a single donation-based Patriot Golf Day has grown into a nationwide movement.
Through charity tournaments, branded gear and grassroots fundraising, golf has helped raise millions in scholarship funds. Puma Golf’s Patriot Pack collections, for example, blend red, white and blue style, while the PGA Tour, Titleist, Callaway, FootJoy, Fujikura, Foresight TaylorMade and other top brands have aligned with Folds of Honor to create limited-edition products and year-round campaigns.
And it’s not just brands — it’s players, too.
Gary Woodland: An ambassador with heart
Few athletes have supported Folds of Honor more publicly than Gary Woodland.
The 2019 U.S. Open champion has worn the Folds of Honor logo proudly on the course, but his support goes far beyond logos and appearances. He’s spent time with the families whose lives have been changed by the organization. He’s listened to their stories, connected with their kids and used his platform to shine a light on what Folds of Honor really stands for.
As Gary puts it:
“The values that Folds of Honor represent — integrity, sacrifice opportunity — those are bigger than golf. It’s about giving back to the people who’ve given everything. I’m honored to support them, and I’ll keep doing everything I can to help them change lives.”
Honoring the legacy, supporting the future
What makes Folds of Honor so special isn’t just the financial support they provide — it’s the message behind it. Every scholarship awarded is a reminder that sacrifice will never be forgotten. It tells a child who’s lost a parent that their dreams still matter. It tells a spouse that their family is not alone. And now, it tells the families of police officers, EMTs and firefighters that their service is honored, too.
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That’s what makes this organization so powerful. It bridges grief with hope. And it turns something as simple as a round of golf into a lasting impact.
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