Patriot Golf Day--a big success

Around Labor Day we talked here about Maj. Dan Rooney's Patriot Golf Day, supported by the PGA of America, which seems to be doing a lot of good things these days. Makes sense around Veteran's Day to report the results of the third annual day, just in. It was all good news.

Forty-four hundred facilities raised more than $1.9 million for Folds of Honor Foundation. Those dollars are earmarked for scholarships to the children of fallen and disabled vets. About 570 scholarships have been awarded over the past two years.

Golf Digest Managing Editor Roger Schiffman, who sits on the Patriot Day scholarship board, says the average scholarship is about $2500, but is often worth much more because the money is invested long before the kids enter college.

Not to get on the soapbox, but it's one more reason why golf should take no shots in these tough economic times. Among all the recreation and pleasure it produces, it also raises on average about $3.5 billion a year for charity. (The PGA Tour accounts for about $125 million of that). Those are astounding (and outstanding) numbers and golfers should wear them proudly. By the way, if you haven't contributed to Patriot's Day, click here.

--Bob Carney