IMMEDIATE RELEASE



IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jamie Carbone

December 11, 2007 561/624-8446

jcarbone@

PATRIOT GOLF DAY PRODUCES MORE THAN $1.1 MILLION

TO SUPPORT FAMILIES OF WOUNDED, FALLEN WARRIORS

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – 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 on 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 United States Golf Association. 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 the Labor Day weekend, Aug. 29 - Sept. 1, with Rooney, once again at the front to lead the mission before he 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 enjoyed the quote that appeared in GOLF Magazine, ‘Honey, I can’t mow the lawn today, my country needs me.’ That’s really what it was.

“This is my core; I have a direction and a purpose in life. There is no doubt every decision I’ve made has brought me to this point for this cause. 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 for Patriot Golf Day will be listed on . Individuals interested in contributing to the Fallen Heroes Foundation, and those applying for scholarships should visit .

PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb praised the support of PGA Professionals in the initial campaign.

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Page 2\First Patriot Golf Day Surpasses $1.1 Million

“You cannot help but feel uplifted by the generosity and the spirit of Dan Rooney, a true American hero and someone who has generated the same patriotism in so many throughout the country,” said Whitcomb. “Our work is not finished, however. Patriot Golf Day is an ongoing effort by all of us in the golf industry to support the needy families of our fallen and injured heroes who have sacrificed for us. We are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and enlisting more patriots each day in this campaign.”

Rooney continues to work to build a team to sustain the momentum, and said that he has heard from hundreds of individuals throughout the past few months concerning the fundraising effort. The United States Golf Association partnered with The PGA of America in 2007 to build Patriot Golf Day awareness and will continue in 2008.

“The great partners of The PGA of America and the USGA have made this effort so special,” said Rooney. “It makes you feel good that you can go to bed at night and feel good about having fought the good fight and that the world is a better place for your efforts. It all boils down to the game of golf. None of this would be possible, if not for the game of golf affording all these opportunities.”

Rooney believes that he is a man with two missions – building Patriot Golf Day and supporting the ground forces in Iraq. He and his wife, Jacqy, are the parents of daughters Victoria, 5, Tatum, 3, and Mia, 4 ½ months.

“They are definitely making sacrifices,” said Rooney, of his time that is split into both military and civilian duties. “But, there is a great feeling of having given back. The greatest therapy in life is to make sacrifices to help other people. You have to have balance in your life, and I am blessed to have had that balance.”

The PGA of America is the world’s largest working sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf, while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives and award-winning golf promotions. Today’s PGA Golf Professional is the public’s link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.

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The PGA of America, 100 Avenue of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418

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