Tucson, Ariz. (February 23, 2024) – The Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences is partnering with the Folds of Honor Foundation on the new Folds of Honor Friday Presented by Nova Home Loans. On Friday, March 8th, tournament attendees are encouraged to wear patriotic colors in support of the U.S. military and first responders and arrive early for the tournament’s Opening Ceremony, taking place on the 15th green at 9:30 a.m. and featuring the presentation of colors, the national anthem, and a flyover from Davis Monthan Air Force Base. As part of Folds of Honor Friday, Nova Home Loans will make a donation to the Folds of Honor Foundation to provide educational scholarships to spouses and children located in Southern Arizona of military members and first responders who have fallen or been disabled while serving our country and communities. In addition to the generous donation by Nova Home Loans, Folds of Honor will earmark an additional 13 scholarships for the local community. The Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences will be played at La Paloma Country Club March 8th – 10th.
“We are so grateful to the Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences, the tournament team and Nova Home Loans,” said Lt Col Dan Rooney, founder and CEO of Folds of Honor. “Folds of Honor Friday is the patriotic way to assist those who deserve and need our help. The Cologuard Classic and Nova Home Loans understand the importance of an education and are stepping up to do something about it.”
A 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, Folds of Honor’s 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.
The Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences also invites all active duty, military reserve, and National Guard service members, military retirees, and military veterans to attend the tournament free of charge (Fri. – Sun.) and enjoy complimentary food and beverage at the Patriots Outpost sponsored by the University of Arizona and Operation Hat Trick. A tented hospitality chalet, the Patriots Outpost is located on the tournament’s beautiful 15th hole and offers a great spot to watch PGA TOUR Champions golfers in action. To register for two complimentary grounds admission tickets per day, military service members and veterans should visit www.cologuardclassic.com.
In addition to the Patriots Outpost, the University of Arizona is also supporting the tournament’s Military Appreciation Concert on Friday, March 8th at Rillito Park (4570 N. First Ave in Tucson), serving as the Main Stage Sponsor. Award-winning country music trio Midland and one of America’s best live rock-n-roll bands, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers will headline the Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences Military Appreciation Concert sponsored by Raytheon and Kaiser Garage Doors & Gates. Gates to the concert will open at 4 p.m. with opening acts The Jons and Drew Cooper.
“The Tucson Conquistadores are honored to partner with Nova Home Loans, The University of Arizona and Operation Hat Trick to support our military and their families in the Tucson community,” said 2024 Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences Tournament Chairman Joe Hickle. “Thank you to Nova Home Loans, the University of Arizona and Operation Hat Trick for their support of these great causes.”
The 2024 Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences will feature a 78-player field competing for a $2.2 million purse, with $330,000 to the winner. Over the past seven years, charity and community impact have been at the core of the Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences. Southern Arizona youth sports and colon cancer awareness initiatives have benefitted from tournament proceeds, including more than $3.1 million since the 2018 tournament, the first with Cologuard® as title sponsor.
The Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences PGA TOUR Champions golf tournament raises awareness of colorectal cancer, highlights different screening options, and honors those affected by the disease. For more information on the Cologuard Classic, visit www.CologuardClassic.com. This globally recognized tournament is made possible by title sponsor Exact Sciences, the Tucson Conquistadores, volunteers, fans, key community partnerships as well as organizations such as The University of Arizona and Operation Hat Trick.
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 over 51,000 scholarships totaling about $240 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 45 percent are minorities. 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 currently stationed at Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service Detachment 1, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. For more information or to donate in support of a Folds of Honor scholarship visit foldsofhonor.org.
About Exact Sciences Corp.
A leading provider of cancer screening and diagnostic tests, Exact Sciences gives patients and health care professionals the clarity needed to take life-changing action earlier. Building on the success of the Cologuard® and Oncotype® tests, Exact Sciences is investing in its pipeline to develop innovative solutions for use before, during, and after a cancer diagnosis. For more information, visit ExactSciences.com, follow Exact Sciences on X (formally known as Twitter) @ExactSciences, or find Exact Sciences on LinkedIn and Facebook.
About Cologuard®
The Cologuard test was approved by the FDA in August 2014, and results from Exact Sciences' prospective 90-site, point-in-time, 10,000-patient pivotal trial were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 2014. The Cologuard test is included in the American Cancer Society's (2018) colorectal cancer screening guidelines and the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2021) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2016). The Cologuard test is indicated to screen adults 45 years of age and older who are at average risk for colorectal cancer by detecting certain DNA markers and blood in the stool. Do not use the Cologuard test if you have had precancer, have inflammatory bowel disease and certain hereditary syndromes, or have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer. The Cologuard test is not a replacement for colonoscopy in high-risk patients. The Cologuard test performance in adults ages 45-49 is estimated based on a large clinical study of patients 50 and older. The Cologuard test performance in repeat testing has not been evaluated.
The Cologuard test result should be interpreted with caution. A positive test result does not confirm the presence of cancer. Patients with a positive test result should be referred for colonoscopy. A negative test result does not confirm the absence of cancer. Patients with a negative test result should discuss with their doctor when they need to be tested again. Medicare and most major insurers cover the Cologuard test. For more information about the Cologuard test, visit www.cologuard.com. Rx only.
About The Tucson Conquistadores
The Tucson Conquistadores, Inc. is a nonprofit organized for the purpose of supporting local youth and special needs amateur athletics primarily in Southern Arizona, with an emphasis on offering life enhancing opportunities to give back to the local community. The Conquistadores are comprised of up to 59 active business and professional members and a total membership of 223 who represent a cross-section of the Tucson community. The Conquistadores have raised more than $37.2 million for local charities since their inception in 1962, including more than $3,091,000 since the 2018 tournament, Cologuard’s first as title sponsor. Key beneficiaries of the Conquistadores' fundraising efforts include Southern Arizona youth athletic programs, First Tee-Tucson and colon cancer advocacy organizations. In addition to their involvement with professional golf, the group has also established the Tucson Conquistadores Foundation. Follow the Tucson Conquistadores online at www.tucsonconquistadores.com.
About the University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is proud to have a long history of supporting and educating veterans, active-duty military, and military-connected students. It was recently named as one of the nation's best universities for service members, ranking No. 5 among public universities and No. 1 in the West in the Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges 2023. Arizona Online is ranked No. 4 for its bachelor's program offerings for veterans in U.S. News & World Report's Best Online Bachelor's Programs ranking. The university's Veterans Education and Transition Services seeks to provide a comprehensive set of services to ensure students transition successfully to the university environment, graduate and obtain meaningful employment. Since its inception in 2008, VETS has been recognized as one of the top programs for student veterans in the country. The University of Arizona partners with Operation Hat Trick to support military service members and veterans through the sale of military-themed merchandise.
About Operation Hat Trick (OHT)
Operation Hat Trick is a nonprofit generating awareness and support for the recovery of wounded service members and veterans. OHT is dedicated to American service members as they recover from the visible and invisible wounds of war, helping move past the traumas of battle to focus on their lives and families at home. To date, proceeds through the sale of OHT branded merchandise and products exceed $4.5 million, of which is donated to selected organizations that fulfill the OHT mission. For more information or to support Operation Hat Trick efforts, visit www.OperationHatTrick.org.
About La Paloma Country Club
Nestled in the Santa Catalina Mountains, La Paloma Country Club is Tucson’s premier private club, featuring 27-holes of Jack Nicklaus Signature golf. The club’s new Toptracer Range enhances an already impressive member experience that includes a host of recently elevated amenities, including an expanded clubhouse, event and activities lawn, halfway house, and fitness center. In addition to golf amenities, La Paloma members enjoy 10 tennis courts, four pickleball courts, access to five food and beverage venues, a junior Olympic-sized swimming pool, a five-pool aquatic playground, and the La Paloma Spa & Salon. Managed by Troon Privé, the private club operating division of Troon, La Paloma Country Club is part of the beautiful 250-acre Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa. For more information on La Paloma Country Club, visit www.lapalomacc.com or call 520-618-4000.
About The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa
The iconic Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa is a lush, 250-acre desert retreat nestled in the foothills of Tucson's Santa Catalina Mountains boasting breathtaking mountain, desert and golf course views. The property recently underwent a $35 million rejuvenation, including all 487 of Tucson's largest and most luxurious guest rooms, which range from 475 to 1900 square feet. Every aspect of the Resort has been reinvented, from guestrooms and suites, to golf course bunkers, to the five expansive pools. The resort has also been ranked as the #1 Westin property in North America for Meeting Planner satisfaction for six of the last eight years. The resort features five swimming pools, a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, five restaurants, a Tennis & Health Center, Westin Kids Club and retail shopping. The newly renovated 475 square foot Traditional Guest Rooms includes a large work area with a two-line speakerphone with data port, wireless internet access, voice messaging, 42" HD-TV, in-room movies, laptop-sized safe, full size ironing board and iron, Starbucks’s coffee and gourmet tea. Guest rooms also feature Westin’s exclusive Heavenly Bed®, Heavenly Bathroom and Heavenly Mirror. Tucson International Airport is 30 minutes away.
About PGA TOUR Champions
PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 35 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, on Facebook, on X (formerly Twitter - @ChampionsTour), on Instagram (@pgatourchampions) and on TikTok (pgatourchampions).
All events are televised in the United States on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Internationally, PGA TOUR Champions coverage is available in more than 170 countries and territories via 22 media partners.
Tournament Media Contact:
Rob Myers
rob@rmprgroup.com
602-317-6131
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