Testimonials

Bob Baldassari's Story

Bob Baldassari is the Senior Director for Player Development for the PGA of America. In 2007, in three weeks time, he mobilized the PGA Village in Port St Lucie, FL and home of the PGA of America, to participate in the first annual Patriot Golf Day. The PGA Village community's desire was to set the bar high for others to follow, and they subsequently become a role model for others who joined the mission in their footsteps. Bob Baldassari speaks of the sacrifice of the men and women of the armed services, and how they are true heroes. Our combined small efforts result in a big thank you.

Patriot Golf Day is the flagship fundraising event of Folds of Honor Foundation, sponsored by the PGA of America and the United States Golf Association, that provides college scholarships to the spouses and dependents of military heroes who have been killed or wounded while in the line of duty.

Frank Gumpert's Story

Frank Gumpert, PGA, of the University Club in Baton Rouge, Louisiana shares his experience in organizing a Patriot Golf Day event. Baton Rouge is a very caring community when it comes to children and to the military, so expectations for the event were not only met but exceeded. Proceeds from this Patriot Golf Day event will provide 10 college scholarships to the children of military heroes who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty.

Alicia Brumley's Story

Alicia Brumley is a Folds of Honor Immediate Use scholarship recipient of Folds of Honor Foundation and Junior Education Major at Texas A&M University. She is the daughter of Randy Jo Brumley, Specialist 4th Class who served with the 82nd Airborne Division. Brumley fractured his back in a parachute mishap when his parachute collapsed midair and he fell the rest of the way to the ground. Brumley lives with chronic back pain, but models to his children a determination to push through and be something in life. Through this Folds of Honor scholarship, Alicia is studying to become a teacher and use her education to impact her students' lives. She says her Folds of Honor scholarship is a gift that keeps on giving.

Sergeant First Class Ramon Padilla's Story

While serving in the line duty in Afghanistan, an RPG exploded on the left side of Sergeant First Class Ramon Padilla's body severing the lower portion of his left arm from his body. He also sustained wounds to the right side of his head. Padilla met Major Ed Pulido of Folds of Honor Foundation who informed him post-secondary scholarships are available for the dependents of wounded and fallen service members. Today, Padilla's four children--Monique, Melissa, Emily and Ramon--are Folds of Honor future use scholarship recipients.

Ron Schmid's Story

Ron Schmid is the Executive Director of Carolinas PGA Section and responsible for assisting the nearly 2,000 PGA Golf Professionals in North and South Carolina and Virginia. He first heard of Patriot Golf Day when Major Dan Rooney spoke at a PGA national meeting. At that time all of the PGA Professionals in the Carolinas Section were moved by Major Rooney's story, and determined to do something to give back. Today, the Carolinas Section leads the country in raising funds during Patriot Golf Day for Folds of Honor Foundation making it possible to provide scholarships for many children of military heroes to go to college.

‪Kaneitha Nelson‬'s Story

Kaneitha Nelson is a Folds of Honor Immediate Use Scholarship Recipient who attends Stephen F Austin State University. She is an accounting Major on a track to graduate in five years with a Masters degree in Accounting, and will then pursue her CPA certification.

Kaneitha Nelson is the daughter of Keith Nelson, US Army Retired. Mr. Nelson served four+ years and on several tours of duty, including Iraq. Upon returning from Iraq, he was diagnosed with PTSD. Ronica Pierre, wife of Keith and mother of Kaneitha, also served in the Army which is where she and Keith met.

Folds of Honor Foundation is proud to honor the service of Keith Nelson and Ronica Pierre by providing an educational scholarship to their daughter.