The ANNIKA selected as First-Ever LPGA Stop for Folds of Honor Friday
By Doug Milne
BELLEAIR, Fla. – Since its 2007 inception, Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney has made remarkable, important and even life-changing strides with the Folds of Honor foundation he created. The calling, though, was a bittersweet one.
Rooney became driven to start Folds of Honor after witnessing the family of a fallen F-16 fighter pilot standing on the tarmac, awaiting the return of the son and father’s remains. That heartbreaking experience resulted in a frightening understanding for Rooney of the emotional and financial fallout when a man or woman in uniform is killed or disabled.
In addition to growing and strengthening American patriotism, for nearly two decades now, Folds of Honor has provided life-enhancing scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military and, now, first responders.
As a way to continue inspiring, including and informing Americans, Folds of Honor partnered with the PGA TOUR in 2023 to create and implement Folds of Honor Friday.
That growth continued this week with a Folds of Honor Friday at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican. The purpose of the presence week in and week out at the various events is to help Folds of Honor recipients within the local market.
“This week marked the very first Folds of Honor Friday with the LPGA, which is incredibly exciting,” said Folds of Honor Senior Director of Golf Relations, Sara Bush. “It is made even more special by being Annika’s event. Our friendship with her has done nothing but grow through various Folds of Honor initiatives she has been a part of.”
“I’m so glad we’re starting the Folds of Honor Friday here at our tournament,” said tournament host and World Golf Hall of Fame member, Annika Sorenstam. “I love that our event is the first on the LPGA they’ve become a part of.”
Through the partnership with The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, Folds of Honor is proactively funding 13 recipients within the tournament footprint as a display of collaboration. In addition, this tournament – and all tournaments with which they partner – raise additional funds to help applicants who are unfunded, but who are fully qualified in that market.
“I’ve been involved and doing different things with Folds of Honor for a few years now,” Sorenstam said. “I just love what they stand for, beginning with Founder Lt. Col. Dan Rooney and the golf connection.”
To celebrate the occasion Friday at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, the tournament hosted an opening ceremony on site Friday morning at the flagpole on the back side of the clubhouse.
“We give a big nod to, both, military and first responders within this footprint,” Bush said. “The ANNIKA will be displaying their support back with a check presentation for local recipients within this tournament market.”
Scholarships come in the amount of $5,000 and are provided annually. With upwards of 800 individuals, Florida is the fourth-largest recipient state in the country.
“We have a really big need in Florida, almost 700 fully qualified applicants that we were not able to fund,” said Bush. “So, partnerships like the one here through Folds of Honor Friday helps us spread awareness and impact.”
