06/07/13 Swan Lake Resort invites all area golfers to its Inaugural Patriot Golf Day Outing on July 6, 2013. All proceeds of this 18-hole outing will benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides post-secondary educational scholarships for children and spouses of military servicemen and women killed or disabled while serving our great nation.
Enter as an individual or get a foursome together! For $100 per player, participants get a day of great golf on the Silver Course at Swan Lake, followed by dinner and live entertainment in the Gallery. Raffles and silent auction items will also be available, and a color guard ceremony and a special tribute to veterans will celebrate their service.
Event sponsors are also encouraged to participate. Suggested sponsorship opportunities begin at the $75 Patriot level and top off at the $600 Medal of Honor level.
“This is a great way for the golf industry to help the families of those who have lost their lives or have been injured so that we may have our freedom,” said Chad Hutsell, Head Golf Professional at Swan Lake Resort. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for golfers in our community to give back to those who have given everything.”
Major Dan Rooney, an F-16 Fighter Pilot, PGA Professional and USGA member, founded Folds of Honor in 2007. A decorated military pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, Major Rooney served 3 combat tours in Iraq. After his 2nd tour, while a passenger on a commercial flight, Major Rooney witnessed an event that changed his life. When the plane had reached its destination, the pilot announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, we have an American hero on board – Corporal Brock Bucklin. And his twin brother, Corporal Brad Bucklin, is accompanying him home from Iraq. As a sign of respect, please remain seated while Corporal Bucklin’s family receives him in his final homecoming.”
Major Rooney watched through the window of the plane as the flag-draped casket was lowered. He saw a family waiting for Brock, and a little four-year old boy waiting for his father. This tragic homecoming inspired Major Rooney to create the Folds of Honor Foundation.
The Folds of Honor Foundation provides post-secondary educational scholarships for children and spouses of military service men and women killed or disabled in the line of duty. Patriot Golf Day is the flagship fundraiser for the Folds of Honor Foundation and is jointly supported by PGA of America and the United States Golf Association. In the last 6 years, PGA Professionals have helped raise more than $8.6 million by hosting Patriot Golf Day events at their facilities. Individuals and companies interested in contributing to the Folds of Honor Foundation and those applying for scholarships should visit FoldsofHonor.com.
Patriot Day is just one of many fun golf events happening at Swan Lake Resort this summer. Other upcoming events include: Golf Equipment Demo Day (June 8), Family Golf Nights on Wednesdays (June 5 – September 23), Couple’s 9 Wine & Dine Events (June 29th and September 14th), Couple’s Stay and Play Event (June 30th through July 2), and Swan Lake Night Golf (August 17th). Get Ready Golf Clinics are offered periodically through July 21st: call the Pro Shop for more information at 574-936-9098.
Swan Lake Resort is located just off State Road 30 with easy access from U. S. 31.
Photo Caption: A folded flag signifies that a soldier’s life has been the lost. The hands that are touching the flag are the hands of his children and wife that he has left behind. They are scholarship recipients of the Folds of Honor
