Sanford International to debut Folds of Honor Friday during first round of the Sanford International
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – On Friday, September 11, the Sanford International will debut Folds of Honor Friday during the first round of the 2026 Sanford International. Patrons are encouraged to wear red, white and blue to honor the selfless commitment of U.S. servicemen and women and first responders – specifically on Friday, but throughout the entire weekend.
This year’s Folds of Honor Friday continues the Sanford International’s ongoing commitment to military and first responder causes, building on previous tournament support for organizations such as Folds of Honor South Dakota and Veterans Community Project.
The tournament’s long-standing partnership with SCHEELS, Grand Falls Casino and the GIVE Foundation allows complimentary grounds admission for First Responders and Active, Reserve, Veteran and Retired U.S. Military personnel and one guest. Military and First Responder ticketholders are invited to view the tournament from the Military and First Responders Outpost on Hole No. 17 with steak sandwiches provided each day by Beef Logic, Inc.
Prior to the start of first-round play, the Opening Ceremony presented by Silencer Central will take place at 9 a.m. on the first tee. Highlights include a performance of the national anthem, a color guard presentation, a flyover by four F-16 Fighting Falcon jets from the South Dakota Air National Guard and a ceremonial opening tee shot by Sanford Children’s Ambassador, Owen Ragsdale.
Through its participation in Folds of Honor Friday, the Sanford International will provide educational scholarships to spouses and children of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders in the greater Sioux Falls area.
“The Sanford International is proud to partner with an organization like Folds of Honor, whose mission goes beyond honoring our military and first responders to actively improving their families’ lives through education,” said Sanford International Tournament Director, Davis Trosin. “Thanks to the support of partners like SCHEELS, Grand Falls Casino, Silencer Central, AARP and Baldwin Supply Company, we’re able to build on that tradition each year. This year feels especially meaningful, with our first round falling on September 11, a chance to memorialize the brave men and women who serve our community every day.”
“We are grateful to Sanford Health, the event’s sponsors and the outstanding Sanford International team for celebrating Folds of Honor Friday and for supporting our local recipients,” said Folds of Honor founder and CEO Lt. Col. Dan Rooney. “Helping provide an education to the families who have sacrificed so much and who need and deserve our help will make a life-changing difference. To have Folds of Honor Friday on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 clearly demonstrates that freedom isn’t free.”
Folds of Honor is a leading non-profit organization that provides educational scholarships for families of fallen or disabled American military service members and first responders. Founded in 2007 by Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, the only-ever F-16 fighter pilot and PGA Professional,, the organization expanded its mission in 2022 to also support America’s first responders, including police, fire, EMTs and paramedics. For the 2025-26 academic year, 43 scholarships valued at over $200,000 were awarded in South Dakota, but the need remains great. A total of 28 qualified students did not receive full funding because of a lack of financial resources.
About the Sanford International
The Sanford International, a PGA TOUR Champions event contested in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, will be played at Minnehaha Country Club the week of September 7-13, featuring a $2.2 million purse. In its ninth year, the Sanford International will continue to focus on charitable giving and making a lasting impact in Sioux Falls. For more information about the tournament, please visit sanfordinternational.com. You can also follow the tournament on social media via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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 nearly 73,000 scholarships totaling over $340 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 43 percent are minorities and 57 percent female. A total of 91 percent of expenses fund our mission of providing educational scholarships to the families of our nation’s heroes. 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 serving as Commander of Recruiting for the Oklahoma Air Guard. For more information or to donate in support of a Folds of Honor scholarship visit foldsofhonor.org.
