Oklahoma State University Athletics
A Memorial Day Well Served
May 25, 2015 | Cowboy Golf
Every Memorial Day, Folds of Honor hosts its Patriot Cup Invitational and every Patriot Cup Invitational hosts a strong contingent of Oklahoma State representatives. Held at The Patriot Golf Club in Owasso, Okla., the tournament is attended by professional golfers, celebrities and top military golfers from across the country. It is conducted to support the families of fallen and disabled service members.
The list of participants reads like a who's who of OSU greats and includes David Edwards, Rickie Fowler, Edward Loar, Bob May, E.J. Pfister, Karin Sjödin, Mickey Tettleton, Kevin Tway, Bob Tway, Bo Van Pelt, Scott Verplank, Brandon Weeden and Willie Wood.
This year saw the list grow with the addition of former Cowboy Morgan Hoffmann to the mix. A three-time All-American during his time in Stillwater, Hoffmann shared the importance in returning to Oklahoma to take part in the event.
How did you go about getting involved with Folds of Honor?
"I have had a few people ask over the years, like Scott Langley and Bo Van Pelt, that have always been like, `Why don't you come play?' I actually have a bunch of friends here that have something to do with Folds of Honor. I have been trying for four years and my schedule hasn't really cooperated. I am big with the Birdies for the Brave now and I am a big supporter. It is kind of the same deal and it is nice to support anything with the military."
What is it that caused you to want to get involved with Birdies for the Brave or this?
"I just think it is, we can't do our job, which is playing golf every day in perfect weather, if it was not for the military and what they do for us. They serve for our freedom. Everybody in this country should give back and give as much thanks to them as we possibly can."
What did you think of your first Patriot Cup experience?
"It is amazing. I am surprised at how good the turnout is with us just playing four holes out here today. It is amazing the celebrities that have come out and given to the program and the Folds of Honor organization."
What does it mean to you and what is the experience like to get to meet the veterans who are involved?
"It is great. I played with a guy today who stepped on an IED (Improvised Explosive Device). He served for eight years and then he was out for two years and he is just trying to recuperate. It is just impressive what they do for us, doing things like stepping on bombs for us to protect our freedom. It was amazing. I was picking his brain from everything to what he ate out there to how much work goes into it. It is really cool."
How rewarding is it for you to spend time with those who have served?
"They don't understand. They think it is us coming to give our time when it is them coming to give their time for us. It is really important that they realize them being here is much more important than a couple of golf pros showing up. We will do anything to be here for a day out of our schedule."
What does it mean for you to be able to get back to Oklahoma for a visit?
"It is great. I landed last night and saw the Oklahoma State advertisements in the Tulsa airport and it is just nice to be home and see people on the plane with "Go Pokes" on their t-shirts. It is nice and I can't wait to get back to Oklahoma State for a football game this year."
The list of participants reads like a who's who of OSU greats and includes David Edwards, Rickie Fowler, Edward Loar, Bob May, E.J. Pfister, Karin Sjödin, Mickey Tettleton, Kevin Tway, Bob Tway, Bo Van Pelt, Scott Verplank, Brandon Weeden and Willie Wood.
This year saw the list grow with the addition of former Cowboy Morgan Hoffmann to the mix. A three-time All-American during his time in Stillwater, Hoffmann shared the importance in returning to Oklahoma to take part in the event.
How did you go about getting involved with Folds of Honor?
"I have had a few people ask over the years, like Scott Langley and Bo Van Pelt, that have always been like, `Why don't you come play?' I actually have a bunch of friends here that have something to do with Folds of Honor. I have been trying for four years and my schedule hasn't really cooperated. I am big with the Birdies for the Brave now and I am a big supporter. It is kind of the same deal and it is nice to support anything with the military."
What is it that caused you to want to get involved with Birdies for the Brave or this?
"I just think it is, we can't do our job, which is playing golf every day in perfect weather, if it was not for the military and what they do for us. They serve for our freedom. Everybody in this country should give back and give as much thanks to them as we possibly can."
What did you think of your first Patriot Cup experience?
"It is amazing. I am surprised at how good the turnout is with us just playing four holes out here today. It is amazing the celebrities that have come out and given to the program and the Folds of Honor organization."
What does it mean to you and what is the experience like to get to meet the veterans who are involved?
"It is great. I played with a guy today who stepped on an IED (Improvised Explosive Device). He served for eight years and then he was out for two years and he is just trying to recuperate. It is just impressive what they do for us, doing things like stepping on bombs for us to protect our freedom. It was amazing. I was picking his brain from everything to what he ate out there to how much work goes into it. It is really cool."
How rewarding is it for you to spend time with those who have served?
"They don't understand. They think it is us coming to give our time when it is them coming to give their time for us. It is really important that they realize them being here is much more important than a couple of golf pros showing up. We will do anything to be here for a day out of our schedule."
What does it mean for you to be able to get back to Oklahoma for a visit?
"It is great. I landed last night and saw the Oklahoma State advertisements in the Tulsa airport and it is just nice to be home and see people on the plane with "Go Pokes" on their t-shirts. It is nice and I can't wait to get back to Oklahoma State for a football game this year."
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