Folds of Honor Collegiate: More Than Just a Golf Tournament
By Tom Lang
It began small but continues to grow.
College golfers from across the country coming together for competition, but more so for unity in honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in military service to the country.
That is what American Dunes Golf Club and the Folds of Honor is all about – supporting and honoring those who served in the military and their families who lost that loved one. The fourth annual Folds of Honor Collegiate took place Sept. 8-10. Texas A&M (7-over) won the women’s division, and defending champion Alabama again won the men’s (5-under).
“I think back to being 22 years old, putting out at The Honors Course in the NCAA Championships, which Tiger won,” Lt Col Dan Rooney told me in recounting his own career path that led to flying fighter jets and becoming a PGA of America pro, and eventually creating the Folds of Honor organization. “But if you had told that 22-year-old, that 30 years later this is his life, I would never have believed you.
“That’s the awesome lesson I think for all of us; number one what God can do when you show up. But he’s not going to do it unless you show up. Moments like this I’m just so grateful for all the people who believed in the idea of American Dunes, and I’m proud I kept showing up because that’s when God works, when you’re present.”
Even the women’s medalist gets it. Anastasia Hekkonen, a University of Kentucky player from Finland, said she knew very little about American Dunes or its mission of raising money for college scholarships, coming into the early September event.
“I definitely learned a lot being here,” she told me after receiving the trophy, a replica fighter pilot helmet. “I roughly knew what this was all about before we came, but I have learned so much more about its history, and I appreciate it so much. It’s a beautiful golf course, and the corridor (where everyone enters and sees the military memorials) is beautiful. I’m so grateful to be able to play on this course.”
It was her first collegiate win, scoring 7-under par in 54 holes. “It’s cool to get any trophy, but I feel like this one means more,” she said.
The Crimson Tide’s William Jennings was the men’s medalist at 4-uner par. Closer to home, Calob Bond of Michigan State placed 6th. His teammate Lorenzo Pinili and Grand Valley State’s Manuel Cue tied for 11th.
With the victory, Jennings earned a sponsor’s exemption into the PGA TOUR’s 2026 Rocket Classic, to be held July 30-August 2 at Detroit Golf Club.
Rooney was extremely pleased that the competitors knew this event meant so much more than playing golf.
“When the Walker Cup champion (Notre Dame junior Jacob Modleski) flies in from Monterey, California, lands here at 3:30 in the morning because he said I’m never going to miss the Folds of Honor Collegiate, that’s when you know they get it, that it’s more than just a golf tournament… that we can get them to open the lens, the aperture, and realize that there’s a lot more than golf, and the power of golf to do good. It’s a huge blessing.”
Modleski placed T5. His team won this tournament in 2023, and finished second this year.
Michigan State men’s team finished 7th overall, and Grand Valley State took 9th.
The Michigan State women took 5th overall, with Ana Sofia Murcia earning 9th and teammate Paula Balanzategui at T16 individually. MSU’s Taylor Kehoe, who reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Women’s Amateur, finished T26.
During the championship ceremony live on Golf Channel, Folds of Honor Founder and CEO Rooney said that Texas A&M is the Folds of Honor’s second-largest recipient school, donating over $2.5 million in scholarships to Texas A&M families. Alabama is No. 1 at over $3 million in scholarships provided.
“We’re really honored to be here,” Alabama Head Coach Jay Seawell said. “I think it’s great to start (the season) here because it’s cool to be a part of something that’s more than just golf. Our young people need to know that, and I always need to be reminded of that. The whole staff, the ownership, the Golf Channel, the Golf Coaches (Association of America), and how everyone reminds us that there are young people out there that need help. We get to play golf and that’s cool and we won and we’re going to go get a milkshake for that, but we’re proud and honored as the University of Alabama to be the No. 1 recipient school. Roll Tide to that.
“I feel very calm when I’m here,” continued Seawell. “It’s more than just a golf tournament. It’s a reminder that freedom isn’t free. It reminds us that we play a game. I love the competition, but I just love being here because it gives you a sense of peace, thankfulness, and gratitude.”
