Dickson, Tennessee — Amateur Players Tour, the fastest growing amateur golf tour in North America that was created “By The Players, For The Players”, is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the influential and impactful Folds of Honor foundation, the renowned nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Beginning in 2022, Folds of Honor expanded its mission to include first responders.
In a relationship that began in January, Amateur Players Tour publicizes and supports Folds of Honor in several ways, with an emphasis on raising funds to provide life-changing scholarships. The Amateur Players Tour is proud to announce the Folds of Honor Partner Membership that started in 2023 which will give every member the opportunity to join the mission to support the Folds of Honor Foundation. Each membership will include a $75 donation directly to the Folds of Honor Foundation.
“The APT is humbled and honored to be able to partner with the Folds of Honor Foundation to support our nation’s heroes”, said APT Co-Founder Matt Minder. “Our tour is full of our veteran and first responders heroes, and collectively our members have been inspired by Lt Col Rooney’s mission to honor our heroes by stepping up to support the families of our fallen and injured service members and first responders.”
Founded in 2007 by Lt Col Rooney, the only F-16 fighter pilot to also be a PGA Professional, Folds of Honor has awarded about 44,000 scholarships to spouses and children, totaling about $200 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 41 percent are minorities. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum on GuideStar.
“The Amateur Players Tour is grateful to have the opportunity to champion the vital work of Folds of Honor and Lt Col Dan Rooney by raising awareness, creating new opportunities to raise funds, and a focus on education of the important work that Folds of Honor does,” says APT Co-Founder Matt Minder. “Supporting our military, and now first responders is a clear passion of our leadership as well as our membership and we are #absolutelyexcited to make a lasting difference in the lives of our heroes through this partnership.”
“Each and every story told by a Folds of Honor recipient is a story of inspiration that brings honor to our nation’s heroes, tells of their immeasurable sacrifice to protect our communities and freedom”, added Minder. “We are ready to do our part collectively to make an impact through our partnership with Folds of Honor. We are so thankful that Folds of Honor is so willing to embrace our organization and work together to make a difference in our world. We couldn’t be more thankful for Lt Col Rooney’s love of the game of golf, and using it to make a difference in the lives of our heroes.”
The Amateur Players Tour will be hosting the Folds of Honor Challenge at American Dunes Golf Resort in Grand Haven, Mich., which will serve as one stop in a season-long effort to raise money and awareness for Folds of Honor. The APT will also be branding the 13th hole of each major championship, to educate their membership on the purpose of Folds of Honor, the 13 Folds of the American flag, and how every member can join together to provide life-changing scholarships for the families of those who gave it all for us.
In just a few short months, Amateur Players Tour events have raised over $40,000 for the Folds of Honor Foundation. “It’s just the beginning”, said Co-Founder Matt Minder. “We are overwhelmed by the generosity of our members, who realize that golf is so much more than a game, and are committed long-term to raising as much money as possible for the Folds of Honor Foundation.”
“Golf is such an integral part of Folds of Honor, and the Amateur Players Tour represents the game’s philanthropy at its very best,” said Lt Col Dan Rooney, founder and CEO of Folds of Honor. “The participants in the APT love golf, and also understand the sacrifices made by American service members and first responders and their families. We are so grateful for what’s already been accomplished and look forward to the wonderful things ahead.”
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The Amateur Players Tour was founded in October 2018 in St. Louis, MO. In late 2020, the Amateur Players Tour expanded nationwide and in 2 short years has grown to 40 chapters and over 4,200 members across the United States with 2 chapters in Canada. The APT focuses on bringing a professional, tour-level experience to the everyday golfer offering 5 different divisions for players of all skill levels with options for seniors and ladies as well. Players have the ability to travel to some of the top golf resorts in the world, with tournaments already being held at Pinehurst Resort, Streamsong, Big Cedar Lodge, Chambers Bay, Bandon Dunes, TPC San Antonio, and more. Players can get more information on-line at amateurplayerstour.com.
Learn more at amateurplayerstour.com and foldsofhonor.org.
About Folds of Honor
Folds of Honor is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Beginning in 2022, it expanded its mission to include first responders. 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 about 44,000 scholarships totaling about $200 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 41 percent are minorities. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum on GuideStar. 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 The Amateur Players Tour
The Amateur Players Tour was founded in 2018 and provides elite tournament golf experiences for the everyday golfer. With 5 divisions as well as options for seniors and ladies, the Amateur Players Tour offers amateur golfers the ability to compete locally and across the nation against players of similar skill levels and abilities. Since its inception, the APT has grown to over 4,200 members nationwide with 40 chapters including two chapters in Canada. Members compete in a series of events locally, but also have the ability to travel to some of the top-ranked golf destinations and qualify for the North American Championship, which will be held September 22nd-24th in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Media Contacts:
Kevin Frisch PR
Carl Mickelson(512) 797-2673
carl@kevinfrischpr.com
Kevin Frisch
(989) 614-0241
kevin@kevinfrischpr.com
Amateur Players Tour
Matt Minder
Co-Founder | Tour Commissioner
(217) 520-1474
matt@aptgolf.org
Chris Isom
Tour Operations
(217) 855-4413
chris@aptgolf.org