Big Changes Made To This Year's Folds Of Honor Patriot Cup

The Folds of Honor Patriot Cup is just under a month away. 

The Foundation put out north of $13 million in scholarship aid rewarded. 

This year, they're on track to have a record year, not only in funds raised but also request from recipients.  

Major Dan Rooney, founder of Folds of Honor says, "We want to ensure that we keep no family behind on the field of battle. It's good to see our sponsors like Anheuser-Busch and QuikTrip and RiteAid, they get to see what Folds of Honor is really about, which is providing scholarships to spouses and children who've had somebody killed or disabled defending our freedoms. This year we awarded our 10,000th scholarship."

The Patriot Cup has rapidly risen to a high level of participation and involvement among celebrities and golfers. 39 PGA, Champions Tour, Tom Lehman, Corey Pavin, Fred Funk and celebrities like Larry the Cable Guy will be at the event this year.  

"To honor the true meaning of Memorial Day, which is to sacrifice the men and women who defend our freedoms.  And it's such a blessing to see the group of people who also see that that is important to come in a join."

However, this year, the Patriot Cup will not sell tickets to the general public.  But, they will still have a gala on Sunday night at the Hard Rock. Tables and tickets are still available.  

Rob O'Neill, a Navy SEAL who was responsible for killing Osama Bin Laden, will speak at the event.  

Lee Brice will perform a concert on Monday night at The Joint.

"In the past we've sold tickets to come out on Monday; this year we're not because we've fought the weather so much in the past and it's about the recipients and the military members who come in and the interaction they get to have with these tour players and celebrities," stated Brice.

Despite no spectators at the event this year, Major Rooney says there will be other events throughout the year and the impact of the Folds of Honor Foundation is still wide-ranging.

"Our reach is in NASCAR with the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500," said Rooney. "We're doing some business with Major League Baseball [and] Budweiser through the course of the Summer and we continue to grow in powerful ways."

For more information on Folds on Honor, go to www.foldsofhonor.org.