Fallen Heroes Foundation

Golf With a Greater Goal

Grand Haven Golf Club owner Dan Rooney has done a lot more than just talk the talk of supporting our heroic troops in harm’s way. The Oklahoma Air National Guard Captain and PGA Class A Professional has spent two tors of duty flying F-16s in Iraq and has seen first-hand the sacrifices made by our gallant troops. With a third tour in his future he is committed to support the ground forces and defend our freedoms against enemies foreign and domestic.

Rooney, who grew up in Stillwater, Oklahoma, played college golf at the University of Kansas (playing against, and occasionally beating another amateur named Tiger) and battled professionally on the mini-tours before answering an inner call to trade in his Ping I-3s for F-16s. He is a decorated military aviator but his contributions to the war effort do not stop when he hops out of his supersonic fighter. He has founded the Fallen Heroes Foundation. 

“The focus of the Fallen Heroes Foundation is to provide funds to be utilized to provide undergraduate and graduate-level education to the children and spouses of fallen or wounded soldiers,” says Rooney, whose call sign is “Noonan” after the character in Caddyshack. The primary fundraiser for the foundation is Patriot Day. Patriot Day is a joint initiative supported and promoted by PGA of America, Golf Digest, CBS Sports, National Golf Course Owners Association, and Golfer Guide.

In September 1st, golfers across America will be asked to come together in the spirit of golf to help our military families. “We all have an opportunity to be a part of something bigger then ourselves on Patriot Day. Each golfer will be asked to donate one dollar in addition to their green fee which will go to the foundation. The exponential power represents millions in donations from golfers around America,” says Rooney.

So how can you help? Rooney encourages everyone to speak to their PGA professional and course owner about Patriot Day. “If there is one thing in life I have learned, it is that one individual can make a difference. Please be the individual that ensures your course is supporting Patriot Day.”

You can learn more about Rooney’s call-to-action at the Web site www.fallenheroesfoundation.org.