June 13, 2024
BLAINE, MN – On Friday, July 26, patrons are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue as the 3M Open will host its first Folds of Honor Friday, in partnership with Huntington Bank and Cub, to honor the selfless commitment of U.S. service men and women and first responders.
Prior to the second round of competition, the national anthem will be performed in the practice area at TPC Twin Cities. The initiative, which is a collaboration between Folds of Honor and the PGA TOUR, is the brainchild of Lt Col Dan Rooney, the only-ever F-16 fighter pilot and Class A PGA Professional and is being conducted at select PGA TOUR events this year.
“We are grateful to the 3M Open, its sponsors, and its outstanding staff for bringing the national anthem in golf to the Twin Cities,” Rooney said. “The playing of the anthem, and wearing red, white and blue, demonstrates to these heroes who protect our country and communities that their sacrifice is appreciated and not forgotten.”
In addition to the outward show of patriotism with the Star-Spangled Banner, Folds of Honor will award 13 scholarships to Twin Cities recipients, specifically children and spouses of fallen or disabled servicemen and women and first responders. Overall, Folds of Honor has awarded over 52,000 scholarships worth nearly $244 million. Thirteen is an important number, as it takes 13 folds to transform the flag into its iconic triangular shape.
The Folds of Honor Friday will include an Honor Guard presentation and the national anthem will be performed by Emma Carpenter, a former University of Minnesota golf team member and current media personality. Along with being encouraged to wear red, white, and blue on Folds of Honor Friday, patrons, and others attending, will receive specially designed ribbons.
“We are excited and honored to add this additional initiative to our week at the 3M Open,” said Mike Welch, 3M Open Tournament Director. “Since the beginning of the tournament, we have been proud of our military program that offers two complimentary tickets to active, retired military, and veterans who show their military ID. In addition, they have access to our Huntington Bank Military Outpost presented by Cub with complimentary food and drinks thanks to Sysco, Pepsi and other supporting partners”.
For current and updated 3M Open news and ticket information, visit the tournament website at www.3MOpen.com.
About Folds of Honor
Folds of Honor is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of US military service members and first responders who have fallen or been disabled while serving our country and communities. Our educational scholarships support private school tuition or tutoring in grades K-12, tuition for college, technical or trade school and post-graduate work, including a master’s degree, doctorate, or professional program. Funds for a second bachelor’s degree or trade/technical program certification are also available. Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded over 52,000 scholarships totaling about $244 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 45 percent are minorities. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum on Candid. It was founded by Lt Col Dan Rooney, the only-ever F-16 fighter pilot (with three combat tours in Iraq) and PGA Professional. He is currently stationed at Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service Detachment 1, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. For more information or to donate in support of a Folds of Honor scholarship visit foldsofhonor.org
About 3M
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About the 3M Open
A PGA TOUR event, the inaugural 3M Open was contested in July of 2019 and enters its sixth year. Its list of champions includes Matthew Wolff, Michael Thompson, Cameron Champ, Tony Finau and Lee Hodges. Minnesota’s only PGA TOUR event is contested at the TPC Twin Cities and will be held July 22-28, 2024. Managed by Pro Links Sports, the tournament benefits local programs through the 3M Open Fund. For more information, please visit 3mopen.com. Follow the 3M Open on Instagram/Twitter @3MOpen and at facebook.com/3MOpen.
Media Contact: Lee Patterson, 3M Open Media Director, (704) 913-1088, lpatterson@3mopen.com