John Deere Classic Brings Folds of Honor Friday to Life in the Quad Cities

By George McNeilly

This season the PGA TOUR invited Major Dan Rooney, Founder of Folds of Honor, to speak at their annual tournament meetings in Ponte Vedra, and the John Deere Classic discovered yet another way to enhance its track record of stellar service to the community.

Introducing Folds of Honor Friday at TPC Deere Run.

“It’s about embracing the red, white, and blue, embracing the national anthem, making sure we start the day in that manner,” said Sara Bush, Senior Director of Golf Relations for Folds of Honor.  It’s about just really taking time to acknowledge our military and first responders and to say thank you.”

Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded more than 52,000 scholarships totaling about $244 Million in educational impact to children left behind.

I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Liz Brees who lost her father, a U.S. Naval Pilot, when she was only three years old.

“Sara’s like family to me, and that is huge for our military and first responder families because we don’t just need that financial help,” said Brees.  “We also need somebody to pick us up in that grief and I think one of the biggest things Folds of Honor has done for me is to honor my Dad’s legacy.”

John Deere Classic Tournament Director Andrew Lehman and his team really roll out the red carpet for those who served and their families.

“We’re proud to do it and proud to be associated with a great organization like Folds of Honor and it’s going to be really fun next year when Folds of Honor Friday falls on Fourth of July, Lehman said.

This tournament itself is a first responder of sorts, always striving to proactively help those in need.