The Rocket Classic has announced a partnership with Folds of Honor, a national foundation providing academic scholarships to the families of fallen or disabled military servicemembers and first responders.
The Rocket Classic, which will be played June 25-29 at the Detroit Golf Club, has committed to funding 13 Folds of Honor scholarships. In addition, June 27 will be designated as “Folds of Honor Friday” at the tournament.
Through the partnership, Dominic Clemons from the University of Alabama, the men’s champion of the 2024 Folds of Honor Collegiate, will be granted an exemption into the Rocket Classic field and will make his PGA TOUR debut in Detroit.
“At Rocket, we are committed to honoring and supporting our military members and first responders — and their families — whose selfless sacrifices make such a massive impact,” says Bill Emerson, president of Detroit-based Rocket Cos. and the Rocket Giving Fund.
“The Rocket Classic is about more than golf, it’s about recognizing those who serve and uplift our communities. Partnering with Folds of Honor gives us a meaningful platform to celebrate these heroes while also providing Dominic the opportunity to make his PGA TOUR debut.”
On June 27, a special ceremony with the playing of the national anthem will be held, and to encourage patriotism, fans will be asked to wear red, white, and blue. Specially designed pins also will be distributed at the tournament.
Additionally, the tournament will continue to offer complimentary tickets to military members (two per person, while supplies last), and will extend the offer to include first responders for the first time.
The Rocket Classic is the first PGA TOUR event to offer an exemption to the men’s winner of the Folds of Honor Collegiate, an annual 54-hole tournament held each September at American Dunes Golf Club in Grand Haven.
In addition, the partnership will provide an exemption for this year’s winner of the Folds of Honor Collegiate (Sept. 8-10, 2025, televised on the GOLF Channel) to play in next year’s Rocket Classic.
Clemons, a native of Cambridge, England, won the 2024 Scottish Men’s Open Championship. He has been named to the watch list for the 2025 Ben Hogan Award, awarded annually to the top men’s NCAA Division I, II or III, NAIA, or NJCAA golfer.
“We are grateful to the outstanding and patriotic team at the Rocket Classic for supporting our recipients,” says Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, founder and CEO of Folds of Honor. “The families of American heroes deserve and need our help, and the Rocket Classic is doing something about it. The tournament’s commitment will truly make a life-changing difference. We are thankful too for showcasing the Folds of Honor Collegiate at American Dunes and our men’s champion.”
Students interested in one of the 13 scholarships funded by the Rocket Classic can apply until March 31 by visiting FoldsofHonor.org/scholarships.
Folds of Honor distributed nearly 10,000 educational scholarships valued at about $50 million for the 2024-25 academic year. Since its founding in 2007, Folds has provided nearly 62,000 scholarships for about $290 million. A total of 91 percent of all funds raised goes directly to the scholarship program.
Folds of Honor Foundation was founded by Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, a decorated F-16 Viper Fighter Pilot. Minority recipients represent 45 percent of all scholarships awarded. In 2022, the organization expanded its mission to America’s first responders, including police, fire, EMTs, and paramedics.
Since the Rocket Classic’s inception in 2019, the tournament has generated nearly $10 million to support local Detroit nonprofits, including nearly $6 million for its landmark “Changing the Course” initiative to end Detroit’s digital divide. For more information visit RocketClassic.com.
For more information, visit RocketClassic.com or foldsofhonor.org/.
