The John Deere Classic held a ceremony at the first tee on Independence Day to honor veterans. The ceremony was a part of JDC’s second annual Folds of Honor Friday.
“Already kind of in a patriotic mindset, it’s just another way to take that to the other level,” said Jeramie Eginoire, the Iowa chapter president of Folds of Honor. “Not just say thank you for your service and celebrate our country, but provides a way to take action.”
The program opened its Iowa chapter last year. It provided more than 30 scholarships to local students in 2024 and 18 $5,000 scholarships this year.
“There are some really talented students who are really going to make a difference in the future, and they’re able to do so with less stress because of these life changing scholarships,” said Eginoire.
Folds of Honor considers the JDC a perfect setting.
“Golf fans are among the most patriotic of all sports,” said Chase Russell, a member of the Iowa chapter of Folds of Honor.
“Regardless of your background, your walk of life, your affiliations, everyone can coalesce around patriotism and love of country.”
Since its inception in 2007, the program has awarded 62,000 scholarships.